Two holiday cabins at Land To The North Of Manor Farm, Church Lane, Plaitford
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Test Valley Southern Area Planning Committee on 21 Jul 2026.
What was proposed
Retrospective permission was sought for two holiday cabins, a tourism use of the land and associated parking.
“PROPOSAL 3.1 This application seeks retrospective planning permission for the change of use of land to tourism and the siting of two holiday cabins with associated parking.”
Officer report
The site
The cabins occupy countryside land within a farm holding, reached through the farmyard and screened by woodland from public views.
“SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION 2.1 The application site consists of a parcel of land within the ownership of Manor Farm which is accessed from Church Lane via the farmyard fronting the road. An existing gravel track leads from the farmyard to the parking area that serves the cabins. The cabins are located adjacent to the existing woodland and well screened by trees from any public viewpoints.”
Officer report
Earlier application
An earlier application for two holiday cabins and parking was refused in November 2024.
“HISTORY 4.1 23/03195/FULLS Change of use of land for the siting of 2 holiday cabins and parking. Refused 15.11.2024”
Officer report
Main planning concerns
The cabins brought economic benefits and no identified harm to landscape, neighbours, access, parking or ecology, but nitrate impacts outweighed those benefits.
“It is not considered that the proposals would result in any adverse impacts on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, residential amenities, access and parking, and ecology. This is neutral in the overall planning balance. In addition, the applicant has demonstrated that the proposals would result in economic benefits including helping to sustain the existing farm business and existing facilities in the local area.”
“CONCLUSION 9.1 The proposed development is a departure from the RLP. Notwithstanding this, it is considered that the proposal would not result in any adverse impacts on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, residential amenities, access and parking, and ecology. The proposal would also result in economic benefits and would help sustain the local community and economy.”
Officer report
Consultation and objections
Ecology raised no objection subject to conditions, while the parish council and one objector raised practical, environmental and use concerns.
“CONSULTATIONS 5.1 Ecology – No objection subject to conditions.”
Officer report
The committee vote
The committee carried an amendment to the first condition and then carried the substantive motion.
“Councillor M Cooper proposed and Councillor A Dowden seconded the motion as set out in the agenda. Councillor Parker proposed an amendment to condition 1 which was seconded by Councillor Jeffrey. Upon being put to the vote the amendment carried. Upon being put to the vote the substantive motion was carried.”
Minutes
The decision
The application was refused because mitigation for the Solent and Southampton Water site and the New Forest SPA was not secured.
“REFUSED 1. The proposed development by means of its nature, location and scale could have likely significant effects upon the nearby Solent and Southampton Water European Designated Site which is designated for its conservation importance.”
“In the absence of a legal agreement, the application has failed to secure the required mitigation measures in accordance with the Council's adopted 'New Forest SPA Mitigation'. As such, it is not possible to conclude that the development would not have an in-combination likely significant effect on the interest features of the designated site, as a result of increased recreational pressure.”
Minutes
Sources
- Test Valley Southern Area Planning Committee minutes, 21 July 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
- Tuesday 21 July 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended refusal
- Committee decided
- Refused
- 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
30 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 3 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.