Updated: July 2026
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The Local Plan scrapped...
Test Valley Borough Council issued the following statement in July 2026:
The Council has been committed to preparing a Local Plan, having published draft versions for consultation in 2022, 2024, and 2025. However, over the last few years there have been a series of factors beyond our control which has made the process of producing a Local Plan (under the current plan making system) even more complex, to the extent where these issues have affected our ability to progress as envisaged.
The Government announced a series of Planning Reforms that led to the number of homes that we need to plan for increasing by 78%. This also resulted in us losing our five-year housing land supply position meaning it is very difficult to refuse planning applications on speculative sites. This undermines the plan led system.
We also faced the rare situation of landowners withdrawing promoted sites from the draft Local Plan, leading to a review of how we could meet our housing needs. This would have led to a need to carry out an additional consultation on any further new sites.
Government is also bringing forward Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation, as well as a new Local Plan making system. This has created uncertainty around the scope, timing and geography of the Local Plan, given that Test Valley will cease to exist in April 2028 and will be replaced by a Mid-Hampshire and South-West Hampshire authorities.
The cumulative impact of these factors means submitting a sound plan by the government's deadline of December 2026 has become unachievable. At Full Council on 22 July 2026, the Council decided it will move from progressing a Local Plan under the current ‘legacy’ plan making system to commencing one under the new ‘gateway’ plan making system. Following the Council decision, we will now commence work on a Local Plan that looks ahead that we can seek to align with future changes.
Further details can be found in the report that went to Full Council here with annex 1 of the report found here
The Council has been committed to preparing a Local Plan, having published draft versions for consultation in 2022, 2024, and 2025. However, over the last few years there have been a series of factors beyond our control which has made the process of producing a Local Plan (under the current plan making system) even more complex, to the extent where these issues have affected our ability to progress as envisaged.
The Government announced a series of Planning Reforms that led to the number of homes that we need to plan for increasing by 78%. This also resulted in us losing our five-year housing land supply position meaning it is very difficult to refuse planning applications on speculative sites. This undermines the plan led system.
We also faced the rare situation of landowners withdrawing promoted sites from the draft Local Plan, leading to a review of how we could meet our housing needs. This would have led to a need to carry out an additional consultation on any further new sites.
Government is also bringing forward Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation, as well as a new Local Plan making system. This has created uncertainty around the scope, timing and geography of the Local Plan, given that Test Valley will cease to exist in April 2028 and will be replaced by a Mid-Hampshire and South-West Hampshire authorities.
The cumulative impact of these factors means submitting a sound plan by the government's deadline of December 2026 has become unachievable. At Full Council on 22 July 2026, the Council decided it will move from progressing a Local Plan under the current ‘legacy’ plan making system to commencing one under the new ‘gateway’ plan making system. Following the Council decision, we will now commence work on a Local Plan that looks ahead that we can seek to align with future changes.
Further details can be found in the report that went to Full Council here with annex 1 of the report found here
The Pan Parish Pollution Forum
The Society is currently working with the Pan Parish Pollution Forum to monitor and improve the environmental quality of the River Test. Find out more HERE
Chalk Stream Devastation and Restoration
Mike Blackmore of the Wessex Rivers Trust, spoke to a capacity audience in Crosfield Hall on 20th November 2024. He held the audience's raptured attention as he explained how many of our chalk streams were destroyed by drainage, selling the river bed gravel and general "tidying" of the landscape. What remains is a patchwork of isolated chalk stream habitat.
He explained how good, natural chalk stream ecosystems can help clean pollution and promote biodiversity. Meandering helps scour the riverbed, creating good spawning sites for salmon (a species unique to English chalk streams) and trout and creating appropriate silt and woody decay areas for helpful, cleansing bacteria. He also demonstrated the catastrophic impact of weirs and vegetation reduction.
Finally, on a positive note, he outlined the work he is undertaking with the cooperation of land owners, the Wessex Rivers Trust and other stake holders to restore stretches of the River Test to a healthy system, better able to cope with the ravages of climate change and flooding.
Watch out for a more detailed article in the January 2025 Society Magazine.
He explained how good, natural chalk stream ecosystems can help clean pollution and promote biodiversity. Meandering helps scour the riverbed, creating good spawning sites for salmon (a species unique to English chalk streams) and trout and creating appropriate silt and woody decay areas for helpful, cleansing bacteria. He also demonstrated the catastrophic impact of weirs and vegetation reduction.
Finally, on a positive note, he outlined the work he is undertaking with the cooperation of land owners, the Wessex Rivers Trust and other stake holders to restore stretches of the River Test to a healthy system, better able to cope with the ravages of climate change and flooding.
Watch out for a more detailed article in the January 2025 Society Magazine.
The Warner Prize 2024
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This year's Warner Prizes were awarded on Monday 14th October in Crosfield Hall.
Each year, both Romsey secondary schools are invited to submit entries by Year 7 and 8 pupils about the history of Romsey. Find out more HERE |
In April 2024 we looked back at nearly 50 years of Society Magazines. Read more HERE.
A Hot walk round Dunbridge
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Eleven members, led by Nick Hutson, joined in June’s walk from Dunbridge on a very warm morning. Plenty of water to drink was essential as the temperature rose to around 30 degrees C. However, there was plenty of shade as we strolled through the woods, before crossing the railway on a path which led to Mottisfont church. Here Nick pointed out the strange patterns formed on some of the external concrete walls but we were unable to find a reason for it. We returned across the fields to Dunbridge where several enjoyed a welcome drink and lunch at the Mill Arms. Many thanks to Nick (and Nelly the dog) for a most enjoyable walk.
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Circular Walks Project
The RDS Footpaths and Cycleways Committee agreed that we should have a campaign to secure new circular walks for Romsey, following on from the huge increase in people walking for exercise during the pandemic, and with a focus on health and well-being. A draft report and maps have been prepared.
Download the Report HERE.
Download the Report HERE.
Romsey Flood Alleviation
Romsey has a long history of flooding, with recorded flood events in 1852, 1876, 1877, 1891, 1894, 1903, 1913, 1928, 1929, 1947, 1960, 1974, 1990, 1993, 1999, and 2000. In the winter of 2013-14 significant areas of the town were flooded and plans were put in place to alleviate the effects of future flooding events. These were formally completed in 2022.
Download more information HERE
Download more information HERE
Making the Hundred More Pedestrian Friendly
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Chris Esplin-Jones and the Planning Committee have produced a presentation with ideas on how The Hundred could be improved for pedestrians.
View the presentation HERE |
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See the Full Calendar for the details of forthcoming events.