WHIT001 (2) - Local Green Spaces Promotion 2 WHIT014 (2) - Local Green Spaces Site Promotion Form Redacted 8 Local Green Space: Site Promotion Form

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WHIT001 (2) - Local Green Spaces Promotion 2 WHIT014 (2) - Local Green Spaces Site Promotion Form redacted 8 Local Green Space: Site Promotion Form

Please use this form if you wish to promote a site to be considered for designation as Local Green Space through the Local Plan Update. Such spaces must meet the relevant criteria as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and associated Planning Practice Guidance.

For further information on Local Green Space designation and criteria please read the accompanying Local Green Space Promotion Guidance Note on the Local Plan Update Issues and Option webpage.

Forms (along with a clear map of the site boundary) should be returned by email to local. [email protected]

Forms can also be returned by post to: Planning Policy Team, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4AH

All forms and maps must be returned by ...c_ .•...... •.•.• ", ....••. council's Local Plan Update Issues and Options Consultation.

Data protection statement:

Your personal data will be used by the Planning Policy Team to process your submission and to contact you, if necessary. We are required to undertake an assessment of the land identified in your submission and this assessment, comprising site specific information you have provided, will be made publicly available on the council's website. If the submission is made by an individual, your personal details will not be published without your prior consent. Any person submitting a site may withdraw their submission at any time by giving notice in writing to the council either by email or post at the addresses given above.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough council is the data controller for any personal information you provide on this fom. You can view the council's full privacy statement on its website at httos:/lww"vl..basinqstoke.qov.uk/orivacvstatement. A hard copy statement can be provided to you on request to the Data Protection Officer who can be contacted at [email protected]

I CONTACT DETAILS Person/s submitting the site for consideration Name I Organisation

Address

London Road IWhitchurch

Telephone number

E-mail address

What is your interest in No legal/equitable interest. Land surrounds The Gables, where Ilive. the land? Landownerls (if different to above) if unknown write 'Unknown' Name Unknown

Address

SITE DETAILS

Site address land surrounding The Gables, Whitchurch, as marked on attached map in red.

Site postcode RG287NH

10 Estimated site area (ha) Current land use Pasture, currently used for low-impact livestock grazing by Bere Mill Farm, in line with organic principles.

A clear map of the site must be enclosed with this form in order for the area to be

con,sidered. CRITERIA

How close is the site to the Immediately contiguous to the Whitchurch settlement community that it serves? boundary.

How long would it take to walk Northern access from Hillside/London Road, c.20m Ithere? Please provide a numerical Iresponse in metres / kilometres. Southern access from Hillside, c.100m

~hy is the site special to the rrhis is a much valued and very beautiful green space irnmediatelv local community? o the east of Whitchurch and falling with in the Laverstoke and Freefolk Conservation Area. As further explained below, it is used by many members of the community for recreation and appreciation of the wildlife.

What particular local significance does the site hold? Please select at least one box. Beauty/Scenic Historic RecreationalValue Tranquillity Richnessof quality Significance ~ ~ Wildlife ~ IZ1

Please expand on the above selected reason/reasons for local significance. Beautv/Scenic Oualitv This is a strikingly beautiful part of the Conservation Are" -'~";~""" ,-'i'_~ ,"'ff' s: ">.-'i' exhibiting the best features of the North Hampshire countryside ;7J,,;j'i',c',/fPi ,;C'" }j~:- ';~:: n·;;;-.':; Ps . The Site consists of fields, copses and ancient hedgerows. From

j'"P I" .'. ";1 ""?; he path at the north of the site, the fields descend steeply, giving Iz~·..;;:;~ views down to the course of the river Test and beyond. Looking o the east from the Gables there are fine views over Bere Mil and the hills and woodlands behind it. The Gables itself is a prominent and attractive landmark within this environment particularly viewed from the southern and eastern parts of the Site.

Historic Significance

~he Gables is listed in Pevsner's Buildings of England as one 0 pnly 5 "notable" buildings in Whitchurch. It is of historica interest, having been constructed in 1848 as the new Whitchurch Poor House. Bere Mill, which the Site overlooks, is well known as one of the most historic mills on the River Test, where Henr Porta" a Huguenot refugee, first made water-marked paper in 1710. Recreational Value

The Site is much used by ramblers, dog walkers and nature lovers Its proximity to Whitchurch and the paths at the north and south side mean that it can easily be enjoyed by all.

Note that, although the OSmap only shows a path at the northern edge of the Site between Hillside and The Gables, there is also a well established path which continues east from The Gables [oining the lane to Bere Mill at the north east corner of the Site. Although neither of these paths is registered as a public footpath, hey have been in daily use for decades.

The public footpath at the southern edge of the Site forms part 0 he Mill Trail, a very popular walk for locals and visitors and one pf only three Basingstoke Heritage Trails (see htto:/ /www.hants.gov.uk/rh/wa!king/mill-trail.pdf )

Tranauillitv

trhe Site is extremely tranquil. Although some ofthe northern part is close to London Road, there is a thick belt of ancient hedgerow and a copse which means that traffic noise does not impinge. Usually the only sound is birdsong.

Richness of Wildlife

This is an extremely rich environment for wildlife, thanks to the ancient hedgerows and copses and the sensitive, low impact use of the fields by Bere Mill Farm for their livestock. Man~ uncommon species of flora, fauna and funghi thrive here. Recen wildlife sightings include owls (tawny and barn), woodpeckers (green and greater spotted), kestrels, nuthatches, treecreepers, redwings, mistle thrushes, egrets, buzzards, red kites, deer (roe and muntjac), bats, hedgehogs, slow worms, small mammals including dormice and shrews.

Is the site local in character Yes. andlnot an extensive tract of land? Local- immediately next to and easily accessible from I Whitchurch.

Not extensive - while the whole ofthis landscape should be arefully preserved, I have deliberately kept the Site to the bare minimum necessary to preserve its character and value. Does the site have planning No permission for development?

Please provide planning reference numbers if possible. View current and historic planninf applications here: httDS:lIV'IWw. basinastoke. aov. uklv ew-planning-applications

If the site has planning NI A permission please explain how the development would be compatible with the reasons for designation, or alternatively, how the planning permission is no longer capable of being implemented.

If the site does not have planning permission, answer 'NIA'

Is the site already protected by Within the Laverstoke and Freefolk Conservation Area. another designation (e.g. AONB, SSSI, Scheduled Monument, Conservation !close to, but does not include, the SSSI which protects the banks Area)? Iof the River Test.

Is the site publicly accessible? Ives. See under Recreational Value, above. (Yes/No) SURVEYING THE SITE

Has the landowner consented to the No (identity of present landowner unknown) promotion of the site for designation as Local Green Space?

An officer of the council may need to access the site in order to ascertain site suitability. In this context would there be any access issues to the site? If yes, please provide contact details of the person who should be contacted to arrange a site visit if required.

FURTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

Please include any further information Many of the objectives quoted in the Whitchurch you consider relevant to the promotion Neighbourhood Development Plan support the of the site to be considered for adoption of this area as a local green Space, from designation as Local Green Space protection of hedgerows; trees and tree planting; through the Local Plan Update. protection of biodiversity; protecting and enhancing Whitchurch's locally distinctive character of its priority habitats and landscapes as well as encouraging visitors etc. n --' .~ ------'( /_---.1 ~ ! r-" 'r-, -; y~ .'-:j ..r'

Local Green Space: Site Promotion Form

Please use this form if you wish to promote a site to be considered for designation as Local Green Space through the Local Plan Update. Such spaces must meet the relevant criteria as set out in the National Planning POlicy Framework (NPPF) and associated Planning Practice Guidance.

For further information on Local Green Space designation and criteria please read the accompanying Local Green Space Promotion Guidance Note on the Local Plan Update Issues and Option webpage.

Forms (along with a clear map of the site boundary) should be returned by email to [email protected]

Forms can also be returned by post to: Planning Policy Team, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4AH

All forms and maps must be returned by C' in line with the closure of the council's Local Plan Update Issues and Options Consultation.

Data protection statement:

Basingstokj and Deane Borough council is the data control/er for any personal information you provide on this form. You can view the council's full privacy statement on its website at httPS:/lwwwjbasingstoke.gov.uklprivacystatement. A hard copy statement can be provided to you on request to the Data Protection Officer who can be contacted at [email protected] CONTACT DETAILS Person/s submitting the site for consideration Name I Organisation • Address LONDON ROAD WHITCHURCH HAMPSHIRE

Telephone number

E-mail address

What is your interest in Neighbour and active member of the community working in conjunction the land? local initiatives and Hampshire CCto improve footpath access generally. Landownerls (if different to above)

if unknown write 'Unknown 1 Name UNKNOWN

Address UNKNOWN

SITE DETAILS

Site address Promoted site WHIT014 lying east of Whitchurch and outside settlement policy boundary.

Site postcode No specific post code.

26.13 Estimated site area (ha)

Current land use Predominately agricultural use for cattle grazing with natural woodland and hedgerow on areas not farmed. Public right of way access across northwest of site. A clear map of the site must be enclosed with this fonn in order for the area to be considered. How close is the site to the he site is adjacent to the Whitchurch settlement policy ommunity that it serves? boundary to the east. Access is via footpath 3a, a public right of ay from Bere Hill and from the North Wessex Downs AONB via ow long would it take to walk . . . . D1 '''/ . I public right of way crossing under the railway. here.? I, ease provtae a numenca esponse in metres / kilometres.

hy is the site special to the hitchurch is promoted as a centre for walking tourism. In 2015 local community? he town was recognised by the Walkers are Welcome ommunity led network of accredited towns and villages whose purpose is to develop and promote walking in areas with omething special to offer. The public right of way across on the levated northern end is in regular use and much appreciated by both local and tourist walkers. The right of way gives access to he North Wessex Downs AONB and has uninterrupted views cross the test valley. Any development of would negatively impact an area which has local and national significance. hat particular local significance does the site hold? tease select at least one box. Beauty/Scenic Historic Recreational Value Richness of quality Significance Tranquillity Wildlife

~ D IXI IXI

Please expand on the above he site has special landscape qualities, natural beauty with elected reason/reasons for nvironmental diversity providing a visual and natural local significance. onnection between the North Wessex Downs AONB south to he River Test. A water course running along the eastern edge of he site also contributes greatly to the natural environment and S ecology providing a corridor for wildlife linking the AONB and River Test. Overall, the site makes a very valuable contribution isually, ecologically and environmentally to the character of the rea. It should be regarded and assessed as being within the nvirons of the River Test and in the context of the area as a hole which has both local and national significance. A belt of natural woodland extends from the south eastern end of the site in an arc northwest to the middle of the site providing habitat or a diverse range of birds and ground based wildlife. Buzzards nd Red Kites are frequently seen circling the length of the belt. he SHELAAappendix 5 for the WHIT014 site details a number f serious potential impacts which would make the site unsuitable for development. The site would definitely benefit rom a comprehensive assessment to address all potential Impacts and from statutory protection to negate future development initiatives. Is the site local in character trhe site is relatively large but with well-defined boundaries. and not an extensive tract of Railway and North Wessex Downs AONBto the North, Water land? !course and farmed land to the east. River Test to the south and Whitchurch settlement policy boundary to the west. Does the site have planning permission for development? NO

Please provide planning reference numbers if possible. View current and historic planninf applications here: httDs:llwww.basinastoke.aov. uklv ew-p/anninq-applications If the site has planning permission please explain how the development would be N/A compatible with the reasons for designation, or alternatively, how the planning permission is no longer capable of being implemented.

If the site does not have planning penn~sron,answer'AVA'

Is the site already protected by Not at present, But the SHElAAappendix 5 site description another designation (e.g. "Potentiallmpacts" states there are likely implications for: AONB, SSSI, Scheduled Monument, Conservation landscape, Ecology, Arboriculture and Archaeology. Area)? trhe site is also classified as being in a "SSSI Impact RiskZone" Is the site publicly accessible? Yes. Public Right of way transecting northwest end. Unofficial (Yes/No) local walkers access the wider site during winter or in other periods when cattle aren't grazing.

SURVEYING THE SITE

Has the landowner consented to the NO. promotion of the site for designation as Local Green Space?

FURTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

Please include any further information Please see map and photographs below on the you consider relevant to the promotion continuation pages. of the site to be considered for designation as Local Green Space through the Local Plan Update.

, !.- t;r~ri~·~r}tJ ==---=""'- = - m z o

~ Io-- I-- UJ W ~ ::J: t: o z ~ w > VIEW SOUTHEAST TOWARDS RIVER TEST o N o N W Z .,::J I- U) W ~ ::I: ~ o z s~ 270 DEGREE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH ILLUSTRATING CONNECTION BETWEEN AONB AND RIVER TEST AERIAL VIEW SOUTHERN END TOWARD THE RIVER TEST