One three-bedroom dwelling at Four Acres, Newtown, Fareham

The site and surroundings

The site was a side garden beside an existing bungalow in a semi-rural lane, with agricultural land nearby and a former petrol station use.

“Four Acres is a detached bungalow located along the north side of Ingoldfield Lane, and along approximately 200m east of Church Road within Newtown. The area is semi-rural with residential dwellings positioned along the north side of the lane, with open agricultural or grazing land to the rear of the site (within the same ownership of Four Acres), with additional agricultural fields across the road.”

“During the application’s process, works had begun to modernise the existing bungalow and the land immediately surrounding the site. The existing access to the bungalow has been formalised for current use. The bungalow has a light rendered finish with a new grey tiled roof. Other dwellings nearby are built of a mix of material finishes (render, hanging tile, brick), and two of the nearby bungalows have had extensions into the roofs.”

Officer report

Changes and planning history

Amended plans reduced the dwelling and changed its position and drainage layout; no relevant planning history applied.

“Amended drawings were received on the 31 st October 2025 that demonstrated a reduced height and depth to the dwelling, compared to the scale of the original drawings received, and the dwelling’s position set back more linear with the adjacent bungalow Four Acres. • Further amended drawings were received on the 27 th May 2026 relating to a new Site Plan and Drainage Layout Plan, removing the drainage along the side with Carinya.”

“The proposal is to build a 2-storey, 4-bedroom dwelling within the side garden of Four Acres. The proposal also includes the creation of a new access to the Four Acres bungalow. The new dwelling will be built of red brick with clay plain tiles. Sash windows with bathstone cill, heads, and surround detailing are incorporated within the design.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Technical consultees raised no objections subject to conditions, while the parish council and objectors raised concerns about design, drainage, contamination and biodiversity.

“Soberton Parish Council maintains its objection to this application due to concerns on the amended design of the residential dwelling. SPC would like to see a design that is in keeping with the character of the area. For example, the design could reflect the Victorian villa opposite the application site as an example of a simple design symmetry which lends itself to be developed in a contemporary way.”

“SPC also notes that a Preliminary Investigative Soils Report has now been commissioned and expect that WCC will check the findings of this study. Nevertheless, given the history of the site and problems regarding drainage in the area SPC request that the conditions as identified before are applied.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker opposed the application and the agent spoke in support and answered members’ questions.

Members’ discussion

Members questioned and debated the application, including the ownership of the rear paddock and the purpose of the proposed gate.

“The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application. During discussion of the item, the Legal Officer advised that the paddock to the rear of the site was within the ownership of the applicant, as indicated by the blue boundary line on the location plan. He clarified that the proposed gate was intended solely to provide access to this land.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission for the stated reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives in the report and update.

“RESOLVED The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report and the update.”

Minutes