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The proposals are for up to 50 new homes, including affordable houses for local people, a village green with a children’s play area within a well-landscaped setting. The proposals also include land set aside for a potential village hall and an allotment area, providing additional community facilities to support the long-term sustainability of the village. A new vehicular access is proposed to be created from Grange Close following the demolition of The Wayne.
The images below provide the architects’ illustrative vision for the proposed site and demonstrate what could be achieved. The layout will be designed to deliver a high-quality, landscape-led scheme, ensuring that new development sits comfortably alongside existing homes, with generous areas of public open space and strong landscape buffers that create a soft transition to the surrounding countryside.
Affordable homes for local people
A key benefit of the proposals is the delivery of affordable homes for local people, helping to meet the housing needs in Fyfield and the surrounding area. The intention is for this to provide the opportunity for those who require affordable housing and wish to remain in the village and the rural area.
Providing affordable homes alongside public open space and community facilities would help support the long-term vitality of Fyfield and ensure the benefits of development are shared with residents of the wider village.
A new village green
The proposed site has the capacity to comfortably provide over 0.7ha (equivalent to the size of a professional football pitch) of usable, high-quality public open space with a children's play area. Such spaces are essential in a rural village like Fyfield, providing residents with accessible opportunities for walking, children's play, social interaction, sports and informal exercise. New footpath links will connect the village green directly to the adjacent Public Right of Way, helping to strengthen walking links between Fyfield, the surrounding countryside, and nearby facilities in Thruxton.
The 2018 Test Valley Public Open Space Audit identifies a significant shortfall of usable public open space within Fyfield, and that the quality of the existing public open space in the village is poor. The current provision falls significantly short of the local standard, meaning residents must look beyond the village for these everyday recreational needs. The lack of sufficient play and youth facilities has a direct impact on younger residents and families, reducing opportunities for safe, local, and inclusive recreation within the community.
The development has the potential to fully offset the village’s public open space deficit even when accounting for the additional population generated by 50 new dwellings. The creation of a village green would therefore represent a substantial benefit to the sustainability and social well-being of Fyfield.
Land for a new village hall
The proposals set aside land within the site that could provide a new village hall and associated parking to serve the local community. It is important that this space is shaped by local residents and Fyfield Parish Council to ensure that any new facility reflects genuine community needs. Your feedback will help define the building’s purpose, ensuring it becomes a valuable and well-used part of Fyfield.
Collectively, with the new village green, local area of play and allotments, the village hall could create a village hub for Fyfield, bringing together existing and new residents. The village hall could provide a contemporary, community space which could accommodate a wide range of activities serving all parts of the local community including local playgroups, yoga and fitness classes, dancing clubs, Guiding and Scouting groups, enthusiast clubs, book clubs, a local Women’s Institute, celebrations or local markets/ Fayre’s.
The village hall could also provide a space to accommodate Fyfield Parish Council meetings, which are currently carried out in The Fairground Village Hall, Weyhill and St. Nicholas Church. It is envisaged that the village hall would comprise a low-rise, single-storey building with dedicated parking, which offers a large open space served by toilets, a small kitchen and a store room. We would appreciate local residents' input and feedback on whether this is of value to the village and on how the proposed building could be shaped.
Allotments for Fyfield residents
The proposals include a new allotment area within the site, providing opportunities for local food growing, outdoor activity and community use. Allotments can provide a valuable shared resource. The allotments would be designed to sit comfortably within the landscape setting, with appropriate access.
Other key features
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An area within the site is proposed to provide a dedicated parking court for the existing residents of Walnut Tree Ground.
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The scheme will contribute to improvements in highways and transport infrastructure, including measures to enhance public transport connectivity and access to Andover for residents.
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New homes would be sited and designed to maintain a sensitive and appropriate relationship with the existing neighbouring properties.
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The layout will incorporate strong landscape buffers along the south-west, south-east and north-east boundaries to soften views and create a sensitive transition to the countryside.
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Existing hedgerows and trees will be retained and reinforced with new native planting.
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The proposals will look to increase the biodiversity on site through improving habitats and hedgerows. This will mean there will be a net gain in biodiversity across the site following the development.
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The site is to be drained using a sustainable drainage system. This will include a drainage basin on site to take the rainfall and ensure the site does not flood.