Question 1

Why are you bringing these proposals forward now?

Accepted Answer

As with much of the UK, Basingstoke and Deane is experiencing a housing crisis driven by a significant shortfall of new homes, coupled with increased demand. This has made housing increasingly unaffordable, with average house prices in the borough around 8.8 times the average local salary as of September 2025. It has also led to greater housing insecurity, increased reliance on the private rented sector, and a growing social housing waiting list, which currently stands at 5,000 people.

Housing delivery in the borough has stalled, with an average of only 593 homes completed each year since 2019; this is well below what is needed. Following changes to national planning policy in 2024, the Council is now required to plan for 20,400 new homes (1,152 per year) in its updated Local Plan, an increase of 4,500 homes on previous targets.

Upper Swallick will help address this challenge by making a significant contribution to meeting the new targets and delivering much needed homes for the borough. This will support the Council in producing a sound Local Plan and help reduce the risk of government intervention.

Question 2

Who is behind the planning application?

Accepted Answer

The land is being promoted by Farleigh North Farm which is owned by Viscount Lymington. Over the years, Viscount Lymington and his family have made a significant contribution to the housing supply in Basingstoke and Deane and the land at Farleigh Wallop has been managed by the family for over 600 years. This long term interest and stewardship will be continued by future generations of the family thus ensuring a strong commitment to the quality of the development at Upper Swallick.

Question 3

Why are you proposing to build in the countryside?

Accepted Answer

As detailed above, Basingstoke’s assessed housing need is 1,152 homes per year, equating to 20,400 new homes to 2042. Insufficient brownfield land has been identified to accommodate this level of housing and it is therefore necessary to build on greenfield land to ensure the housing need can be met. In response to this, Upper Swallick has been promoted through the Council’s Call for Sites, and has now been allocated for development in the  Reg 18 draft Local Plan Review.

Whilst the development proposals will inevitably result in a loss of agricultural land, they will significantly increase access to what is currently private land, with the introduction of x acres (xx hectares) of public open space.

Question 4

What is an outline planning application?

Accepted Answer

An Outline Planning Application is the process used for determining whether the general concept of development is acceptable to the local planning authority (LPA). If approved, the outline application sets the framework for the development, but specific details must be submitted later through a Reserved Matters application.

Parameter plans are submitted at outline planning stage and will define matters such as land uses, building heights and the broad location of buildings. A Design Code will also be submitted to define the broad principles of what the development and its open spaces should look like. 
 
An illustrative master plan will be submitted to indicate how the development may look.
 
A legal agreement, known as a Section 106 Agreement, will be entered into by the applicant, the borough council and the highways authority.  This will define the nature and timing of delivery of key physical and community infrastructure required as part of the development.

Detailed design proposals will be brought forward following the granting of Outline Planning permission and would be subject to consultation at the Reserved Matters stage. Reserved Matters applications are likely to be submitted for each individual development parcels or phases.

To be considered acceptable the Reserved Matters detailing must comply with the outline planning permission, its parameters plans and design code.

Question 5

How do you know the site is suitable for development?

Accepted Answer

We have undertaken a significant number of surveys to ensure the site is suitable for development. These have considered matters including ecology, biodiversity, ground conditions, noise, draining, flooding, transport, archaeology, landscape and trees.

These surveys will be used to inform the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that will form part of the outline planning application.

Question 6

What about the lack of utilities in the area?

Accepted Answer

We have engaged with the statutory providers in the local area who have confirmed that they are able to provide the necessary utility services required for the development.

Question 7

How will the development affect the local transport network, including traffic congestion and bus services?

Accepted Answer

As detailed on the transport page, our proposals have been carefully designed to move traffic away from Cliddesden and other rural villages, giving alternative options for motorists and providing opportunities for further traffic calming measures.

Significant investment is proposed in highways infrastructure to mitigate the impact of the development. In addition to the proposals outlined on the transport page, junction improvements will be agreed with Hampshire County Council with work either undertaken by the developer or funded via S106 contributions.

In additional to highways improvements, investment will be made in local bus services, walking and cycling routes, providing non-car travel options to Basingstoke.

Question 8

What will happen to the public rights of way and the National Cycle Route that cross the site?

Accepted Answer

The public rights of way and byway that pass through the site will be retained and set within enhanced landscape buffers.  National Cycle Route 23 will be retained, and enhanced, with motorised vehicles being diverted along the new road network, creating car-free green lanes through Upper Swallick, improving safety and amenity.

Question 9

Will you be removing trees and hedgerows?

Accepted Answer

The vast majority of trees and hedgerows are being retained and routes through landscape corridors have been carefully selected to minimise the impact of the development on the habitat and wildlife. Extensive additional hedgerow and tree planting is proposed as part of the development that will more than offset any loss of existing habitats, and will ensure that a biodiversity net gain (BNG) of at least 10% is achieved.

Question 10

Will the proposed development encroach on surrounding villages, such as Cliddesden?

Accepted Answer

The proposals have been carefully designed to keep Upper Swallick separate and prevent coalescence with Cliddesden. A strategic gap will be retained which will be supplemented by new hedgerow and tree planting to ensure the character of surrounding villages is preserved.

Question 11

How have you considered the proximity of Hackwood Park & Garden?

Accepted Answer

Our heritage consultants have carefully reviewed the history and relationship between the site and Hackwood Garden and the masterplan has been designed to ensure there is no impact on the setting of the registered park and garden.

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