About Us
Since 2006, Bargate has been committed to building high-quality, thoughtfully designed homes across Hampshire. As trusted local homebuilders, we focus on putting people and quality first—creating distinctive new build homes that stand the test of time.
We specialise in community-focused housing developments within a 45-mile radius of our head office. Our goal is to build beautifully crafted, energy-efficient homes that enhance the local landscape and exceed buyer expectations.
At Bargate, we believe in being better, not bigger. That’s why each of our developments is tailored with care, offering character, craftsmanship, and a sense of place. If you’re looking for a new home in Hampshire that blends modern living with traditional values, discover the Bargate way today.
Background
The location of the application Site is outlined in red below. The Site, which extends to 4.53ha, is located to the west of Braishfield Road in Braishfield, Romsey, and is currently in use as horse grazing land, which is split into 4 paddocks.
The applicant has been working with a range of consultants to develop a sound understanding of the existing landscape character, visual amenities, ecological requirements, and other constraints which have formed the basis of the indicative masterplan, which has also been subject to pre-application discussions with Test Valley Borough Council.
The site is located outside of, although adjacent to, the Braishfield Settlement Boundary, however the site has recently been identified as a draft allocation in the Test Valley Revised Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan 2042.
Proposal
This consultation relates to an Outline Planning Application that will be made to Test Valley Borough Council, that will include the following:
- The erection of up to 60 homes. The houses are proposed as a mix of 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom dwellings, and will include up to 40% affordable housing.
- High-quality dwellings that are characteristic of the village of Braishfield, reinforcing the local distinctiveness of the area.
- Landscaping framework, including retention and improvement of the existing hedgerow along the north and eastern boundaries.
- Provision and typology of public open space, including drainage features, landscaping, and biodiversity net gain measures within the remainder of the site.
- Formation of new vehicular and pedestrian access onto Braishfield Road, and connectivity to the existing facilities in the village.
There is an opportunity for the development to provide a positive contribution to the green infrastructure and public open space of Braishfield, reflecting the objectives set out in the Braishfield Village Design Statement (VDS). The Site would provide opportunities for recreational activities and play through the creation of multi-functional green space to incorporate new landscaping and biodiversity improvements. This allows people and nature to live alongside one another.
The subsequent application will be supported by a number of reports and surveys, undertaken and updated to inform development proposals, as summarised below.
Landscape
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The landscape and visual effects have been evaluated by SLR Consulting. The Site is not within any landscape or landscape related designations, although it is immediately west of the Conservation Area and settlement boundary and public footpath 028/1/1.
The site is located within the settlement of Braishfield and is directly influenced by built form and infrastructure immediately north and east of the site. The site is bound by primarily well-established hedgerows and/ or trees and the landform within the site gradually slopes down to the southern boundary.
It is proposed to retain much of the existing surrounding landscape characteristics to support the distinctiveness of the character area. The west and south boundaries of the Site seek to retain and enhance the existing vegetation to reflect the surrounding woodland, incorporating dark corridors where appropriate, and ensuring a greater diversity of species, including more tree planting.
Additional landscape mitigation will include Wildflower meadow grassland, public open space and SuDS features. The site is therefore primarily contained, and landscape impacts would be strongly localised to the immediate surrounding occupiers. Development of the site would be read in conjunction with the existing settlement and built form.
Ecology
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An Interim Ecological Assessment was undertaken by Pro Vision Ecology which comprised a desk study of existing ecological data in relation to the site, and an assessment of the sites habitats and suitability to support protected species. The site comprises modified grassland which is grazed by horses with hedgerows at the field margins, with trees along the west and south boundaries.
It was summarised that the site provides commuting and foraging habitat for bats as well as common bird species within the native hedgerows and trees, which provide foraging and nesting opportunities. The surrounding woodland and networks of hedgerows also provide areas for hazel dormouse and potential commuting routes for great crested newts and reptiles.
A mitigation strategy has been prepared and the proposal has been designed to retain habitats of the greatest ecological value wherever possible and retain opportunities for species post-development, through the retention of the majority of hedgerows and provision of large green corridors. The proposal also seeks to retain as much of the grassland as possible within the site design and enhance the retained grassland areas with wildflower meadow planting.
The proposal will deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain and significant hedgerow unit gains through the provision of the aforementioned wildflower meadows and landscaping.
To provide additional biodiversity enhancements the following measures will be included within the final development design:
- Provision of bat and bird boxes within the development, to target species such as house sparrow and swift.
- The inclusion of wildflower areas will also provide additional foraging opportunities for hedgehogs.
- Hedgehog friendly fencing should be incorporated to ensure hedgehogs can still move through the development. This can be achieved with the inclusion of gravel boards on the fencing or by maintaining a gap at the bottom of fences.
Transport and Accessibility
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A new access will be provided onto Braishfield Road, south of the existing access to provide appropriate visibility and highway safety measures required for the proposed development. Braishfield Road is the main route that runs through the village at 30mph, measuring circa 6m in width which accommodates two-way traffic.
There are footways on both sides of the carriageway by the site and through the village, and a footway on one side of the carriageway along the southernmost part. This provides a continuous link between Braishfield and Romsey.
Access to local facilities is fundamental to the concept of locating sustainable development. New development needs access to the full range of social, retail, educational, health, transport and recreational facilities to allow people, especially those of limited means or mobility, to go about their daily lives without over reliance on a private car. There are no public rights of way within the site.
The site abuts Braishfield Road that allows for direct access into Braishfield to the north and Romsey to the East. As well as accessible routes via car, foot, and/or bike, there is also a bus stop, The Wheatsheaf Inn, located immediately north of the existing site access. This serves the Bluestar service number 35 which runs between Braishfield and Romsey, and service number 635 which runs between Ampfield and Romsey, via Braishfield. Other nearby facilities include:
Drainage
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A Flood Risk Assessment and Surface Water Drainage Strategy will be included within the planning application for the proposed development site. Initial assessments show that the overall flood risk within the development area is considered to be low from all sources. As with any greenfield site, its development for residential will lead to an increase in hard and impermeable surfaces at the site which can lead to increased rates and volumes of surface water runoff. To mitigate this, a Surface Water Drainage Strategy will be implemented to ensure that not only the risk of flooding within the site is minimised but will also ensure that flood risk to properties and land in nearby areas is not increased as a result of the new development. The indicative drainage strategy will be submitted to the Lead Local Flood Authority for approval as part of the application process.
The proposed Drainage Strategy will incorporate the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) including an attenuation pond or infiltration basin within the lowest point of the site in the southern end which would discharge to the ditch along Braishfield Road. A pumping station will allow a foul connection to the north of the site, connecting to the existing network.
Ponds provide onsite storage for surface water during periods of heavy rainfall, ensuring flood water does not flow off site affecting surrounding land. They also have the potential to provide benefits for water quality, ecology, and amenity for the development and the local area.
Climate Change
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Our approach towards transitioning towards carbon neutrality is:
- The biodiversity of the Site will be protected, diversified and improved through new planting and habitat creation. Overall the proposals are expected to achieve a net gain in biodiversity
- Integrate Sustainable Urban Drainage systems
- Design homes using a ‘fabric first’ approach where the materials and construction are designed to reduce energy demand as far as possible first
- Consideration of achieving energy conservation standards that exceed Building Regulations
- Design of new homes to reduce water demand though efficient appliances and fitting
- Integration of low carbon energy sources such as the potential incorporation of photovoltaic arrays and heat pumps
- Provide electric vehicle charging points for all new homes
- Encourage residents to utilise the easy access to alternative modes of transport (e.g. walking, cycling and public transport) from the Site to reduce reliance on the private car
Illustrative Masterplan
The below Illustrative Masterplan provides an indication of how development is proposed for the Site, including the point of access, development areas, landscaping, tree planting, biodiversity net gains, and movement routes in and around the Site to connect to existing public footpaths.
As an Outline Planning Application will be made, the specific house designs and sizes are not known at this stage, however Bargate commit to creating a mixed and balanced community including affordable housing and mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes.
The site presents itself as a logical extension to Braishfield. The masterplan responds directly to the sites character and context and will naturally integrate with the village with high-quality and beautifully designed homes.
Comments
Bargate would like to know your view on their proposals, what you think we should know about the surrounding area and how these points may influence our proposals. If you want to share your thoughts about the project, you can type in comments within the comments box below and click ‘submit’.
In order to help inform the eventual planning application, please submit your responses by 28th September 2025.
This consultation has now closed.
Bargate and VIVID will consider all correspondence received and our response to the issues raised will be set out in the Planning Submission. As part of a planning application, submitted to the Local Planning Authority a complete copy of all comments received may be published however all personal details (including any details such as your name, address and email where you have provided them) will be confidential. The Council may publish any Planning submission documents online, subject to their own Data Protection policies. Should the application be the subject of an appeal, the same information will be forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate. If further consultation is carried out as part of the planning process, we may use your details to make you aware of this and to ask for your views, but will not use this information for any other purpose.