Introduction

Over the past year, our communities have shown just how powerful local action can be. From two packed public meetings to hundreds of well-argued submissions; residents came together with clarity and determination to oppose large scale development next to Danebury School. That collective effort paid off: Hampshire County Council confirmed the school’s sports pitches would not be made available for sale or land swap, removing the developer’s key access point and forcing a major rethink of their plans.

But while this was a significant win, the wider picture has continued to shift. The withdrawal of sites at Appleshaw and part of Weyhill has increased pressure across the borough, prompting developers to look again at alternative locations, including a an historically sensitive site behind Roman Road in Longstock, which has previously seen planning permission refused, and the adjoining ‘D Field’. In response, the Pan-Parish Group has been working closely with heritage bodies, local authorities and our MP to ensure the area’s archaeological and landscape importance is fully recognised.

With this backdrop of community successes, emerging risks and ongoing advocacy, the following update sets out where things now stand and what lies ahead as Test Valley’s Local Plan continues to evolve.

See the full March 2026 update here (Link)