Three large dwellings at Lowfields, Hartley Wintney, Hook

“Background The application is being brought to Planning Committee following a “Committee Call In” by Councillor Tim Southern. The application was scheduled to be heard by the Planning Committee at the 19 August 2026 committee meeting. However, at the applicants' request, and with the agreement of officers, this application was withdrawn from the agenda, to allow for review against the newly published NPPF (2026).”

“Weighing against these harms are the benefits of the proposal, which include the provision of three market dwelling which would contribute towards the Council’s housing land supply. The proposal would also generate short term economic benefits during the construction phase. However, the modest benefits of the scheme would not outweigh the harms identified and it is therefore recommended that permission is refused.”

“The application site is not physically well related to the settlement boundary of Hartley Wintney, being ~500m from the south western boundary. It is physically separated from this boundary by open countryside, punctuated by sporadic, rural housing. Land between the application site is not allocated for development.”

“The application site itself comprises two equestrian paddocks and hardstanding and is bordered by agricultural fields to the north and east of the site. The Applicants have stated that “the site is classified as previously developed land which appears to have comprised an approx. 40sqm low height single storey stable.”

“National Design Code (2021) (NDC) BRE Report - Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight: a guide to good practice (2022) Hart's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (2016) Hart's Climate Change Action Plan Hart District Landscape Assessment (1997) Hart's Planning Technical Advice Note - Privacy, Daylight and Sunlight Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) - Cycle and Car Parking in New Development (December 2023) Public representations The public consultation for the…”

“- Fail to see how the development of three large executive homes, likely to be sold for prices well in excess of what could be considered to be "affordable", located outside a small rural village, constituting development in the countryside on previously undeveloped land, and in an area where the local plan does not identify any immediate housing needs, can be justified in a manner that would comply with current planning regulations.”

“Resolved: That the item be deferred to next meeting of the Committee scheduled for 21 October 2026”