190 homes and open space at Land East Of Smannell Road, Smannell Road, Smannell
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Test Valley Northern Area Planning Committee on 19 Feb 2026.
The site
The site is a 13.5-hectare arable field east of Smannell Road, bounded by hedges and trees, with a public footpath crossing it.
“SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION 2.1 The site is approximately 13.5 ha of arable field, bounded by mature hedgerows and trees, located to the north of Finkley Road, and east of Smannell Road. The site has a slight incline in levels from west rising slightly up to the east of the site.”
“Public Right of Way (PROW) footpath Smannell. 713 (213/713/1) runs directly through the site and connects to the PROW to the south and footpath links within the surrounding residential estate locally known as Augusta Park.”
Officer report
Earlier applications
A related greenspace application was pending, while an earlier screening opinion found that an environmental impact assessment was not required.
“25/01496/FULLN - Change of use of land to publicly accessible natural greenspace, with associated works – PENDING CONSIDERATION.”
“25/01482/SCRN - Screening opinion under the Environment Impact Assessment Regulations 2017 (as amended) for up to 190 homes, landscaping, public open space and associated infrastructure – EIA NOT REQUIRED 22.07.2025.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
Most technical consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, contributions or legal agreements, while housing supported the proposal.
“Highways (HCC): No objection subject to conditions, obligations, contributions.”
“Rights of Way and Countryside: No objection subject to contributions and conditions.”
Officer report
The committee vote
Councillors Budzynski and Z Brooks proposed and seconded the motion, which was carried when put to the vote.
“The motion as set out in the agenda and update paper was proposed by Councillor Budzynski and seconded by Councillor Z Brooks. Upon being put to the vote the motion was carried.”
Minutes
The decision and conditions
Outline permission was granted subject to a nitrate assessment, legal agreement, affordable housing, infrastructure contributions, public open space and planning conditions.
“Delegate to the Head of Planning and Building to: Identify and agree to a suitable nitrate mitigation scheme to mitigate the effect of the proposal on the Solent Special Protection Area (SPA) and undertake a Habitat Regulation Assessment (HRA) with Natural England; Secure a satisfactory consultation reply from Natural England in relation to the HRA referred to in 1. above; Complete a suitable legal agreement to secure: i.”
Minutes
Sources
- Test Valley Northern Area Planning Committee minutes, 19 February 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Test Valley's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- Test Valley
- Date
- Thursday 19 February 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Test Valley committee decisions →
This committee's year
9 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 1 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.