Stepping Stones, Downs Lane, Over Wallop, SO20 8JZ

Planning appeal 6005115 at Stepping Stones, Downs Lane, Over Wallop, SO20 8JZ (Test Valley) was dismissed on 8 June 2026 by Inspector Barry John Lomax, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the site would be a suitable location for new housing, with particular regard to the Council's spatial strategy and access to services and facilities.

Demolish existing bungalow and single garage and construct new detached dwelling and retain the Manor House within the site

Authority: Test Valley
Appeal type: minor · Planning
Procedure: Written
Development: residential
Inspector: Barry John Lomax
Postcode: SO20 8JZ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

whether the site would be a suitable location for new housing, with particular regard to the Council's spatial strategy and access to services and facilities
the effect of the proposal on the integrity of protected European sites

What decided it

The site's location outside the settlement boundary, poor accessibility to services and facilities, and the absence of nutrient neutrality mitigation for protected European sites rendered the proposal unsuitable and in conflict with the development plan.

The harm arising from the site's location and the conflict with protected site policies significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits of the provision of a single dwelling and associated economic benefits, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy COM2Policy COM12Policy ELP7Policy E5Policy E8

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

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The decision letter

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What an account adds to this decision

9 other decided appeals within two kilometres of this site. In the app every dot opens its decision, and its letter wherever one was published, and you can draw your own site to see what has been decided around it.AllowedDismissedSplitThis decision

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.