A society created from residents formely known as 'Keep Wash Water Rural'
We have another piece of encouraging news to share with you. After our recent engagement with members of the East Woodhay Parish Council, several local authority Councillors, and MP Kit Malthouse, we have received encouraging information. We have been informed that Basingstoke and Deane Borough …
It is the view of ERVPS that the drainage system being proposed for Watermill Bridge is inadequate and at some point will be overwhelmed by runoff from the developed site. At the appeal we pointed out the flaws in the hydraulic modelling used by the …
| 31st January 2024. It is with deep regret and profound disappointment that we address you following the reversal of the initial refusal for Bewley Homes’ planning application at Common Farm (21/03394/OUT). This decision starkly exposes a worrying neglect for the health and integrity of both our cherished local environment and community. The plan proposed by Bewley Homes, which we firmly maintain is unsustainable and unnecessary, represents a severe threat to the distinct character of our area and exacerbates the flood risk of an already susceptible location. The success of the planning appeal should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of the project’s merits. Instead, it reflects the local council’s failure to demonstrate an adequate five-year land supply. In our opinion, this outcome underscores critical issues in regional planning policies. The government’s aggressive pursuit of arguably unrealistic land supply targets is detrimentally impacting our countryside and eroding the essence of our communities, a gap that Bewley Homes seems to be exploiting. As volunteers., dedicated to protecting the Enborne River Valley, we implore the government to reconsider its strategies and priorities. Striking a balance between developmental needs and the preservation of our unique natural and communal heritage is crucial. We are united with our community in seeking responsible solutions that safeguard our environment and residents’ well-being. The Enborne River Valley Preservation Society remains fervently committed to advocating for responsible, sustainable development that reflects our community’s values and needs. While reviewing the inspector’s report, we acknowledge that an appeal to the High Court is not feasible due to financial constraints. However, we remain hopeful that authorities like the West Berkshire Council might pursue this path. For those that would like to read the appeal decision document, please click here. At this juncture, we extend our heartfelt gratitude and share in your disappointment. Our deepest thanks go to each of you for your steadfast support. Your invaluable contributions, knowledge, and, notably, your generous donations have been crucial in our campaign. As six local homeowners, we have invested considerable time, effort, and personal resources in this cause, driven by our commitment to our community. While the outcome is not as hoped, we trust our efforts have made you proud and demonstrated our collective dedication to our neighborhood’s welfare. Your support has been fundamental in voicing our community’s concerns, and for that, we are eternally grateful. With sincere appreciation, The Committee | ERVPS |
Why it is important to assess a development against the risk of flooding? Flooding is a natural phenomenon that can cause significant damage and disruption to people, property, and the environment. Flooding can occur from various sources, such as rivers, the sea, surface water, groundwater, …
A sequential test is a planning tool that aims to ensure that development is located in the most sustainable and least vulnerable areas in terms of flood risk, retail and commercial viability, and transport accessibility. It is based on the principle of prioritising sites that …
27th JULY 2023
Bewley Homes have submitted a NEW application for 270 dwellings on land at Common Farm.
Earlier this year, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council refused Bewley Homes previous application (app 21/03394/OUT). The refusal was based on five points focused on the unacceptable impact on the character of the local area, amenities, and sustainability. In our last update, on the 19th April 2023, we explained the process that the developer had six months to lodge an appeal and that a fresh application was also possible.
You may have already seen on social media, and in local press, but we can now inform you that Bewley Homes have indeed lodged an official appeal to the refusal decision which triggers the procedure of a Public Inquiry. The appeal was lodged on Tuesday 18th July 2023 under reference 23/00041/REF, which can be searched for on the Basingstoke and Deane planning portal.
Bewley Homes have also submitted a NEW application which was validated by Basingstoke and Deane on Monday 17th July 2023. The new application under reference 23/01767/OUT is in addition to the appeal of the initial refusal.
ERVPS are analysing the new application and continuing to work with our professional planning consultant, as we build our objection.
Whilst there does not look to be any significant change, the application is a ‘new plan’ as far as Basingstoke and Deane are concerned, and as a community, we are in the same position we were in when the original application was made, we must object, object effectively and in numbers.
Currently the standard consultation deadline is set at Friday 11th August 2023, whilst we expect this to extend, it cannot be assumed, and objections must be submitted before this date.
As always, ERVPS continue to work hard in the fight to Keep Wash Water Rural and we will keep our subscribers well informed of our objections and any information we may find. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to drop us an email on info@ervps.co.uk.
On the 20th February 2023 many new documents appeared on the planning portal of Basingstoke and Deane in reference to application 21/03394/OUT. Seemingly the developer has made further changes to their application based on comments by consultants to date. We have reviewed all the latest …
When ERVPS was created some eighteen months ago, we knew it was not going to be a short process and the fight to ‘Keep Wash Water Rural’ was not going to be easy. We last updated you in October and November of last year, with …
As before, ERVPS have employed the services of a professional planning consultant to review the new application in detail. We have now submitted our new objection to the revised plans which is available to view on the Basingstoke and Deane Planning Portal.
For even quicker access to our latest objection letter, please view the PDF here.
The application for a new development of 350 new houses on land at Common Farm, just off the A339 Andover Road before the A34 junction, has been revised. Developers Bewley Homes, have revised their application, almost exactly a year after they submitted their original plans. …
