Local and District Planning Issues

This page was updated on 28 July 2026 and the information was correct at that time.

Introduction

Following changes to Government set house building targets, Hart District Council (HDC) is starting the process of developing a new Local Plan. The Local Plan sets out a vision and framework for the future development of the area, with policies used to decide planning applications. Details of the timetable for this review can be found in the slides presented to the Annual Parish Assembly on 18 May attached below.

HDC launched a ‘call for sites’ asking landowners and the public to suggest land for development. This was due to close in early 2026 but as not enough sites were put forward suggestions are still being accepted. The Parish Council is waiting to hear what sites have been put forward. As soon as the Parish Council has this information it will be added to this site.

HDC has a webpage dedicated to the New Hart Local Plan.

Hart is now vulnerable to speculative development as it no longer has a demonstrable 5 year land supply for new housing following the imposition by the Government of the new housing targets. Developers can submit applications for sites not intended for development such as greenfield or countryside, and developers may successfully appeal refusals if the council cannot demonstrate an up-to-date five year housing land supply.

This doesn’t mean any development can happen anywhere. Winchfield can use its Neighbourhood Plan to try to make sure that any development is the right development in the right place for the right reason.

Progress

The information below is set out in reverse chronological order.

July 2026 – Murrell Green Planning Application

Application 26/01201/OUT has been submitted to Hart District Council for outline planning permission for phased residential led mixed-use development comprising demolition of existing buildings/structures, provision of vehicular, cycle and pedestrian accesses (including details of 3no. accesses from the A30 London Road and 1no. access from the B3016 Odiham Road), development of up to 2,160 residential dwellings (including residential institution) (Use Class C2/C3), provision of employment, local centre and community uses (including education provision) (Use Classes E and F), blue and green infrastructure including sustainable drainage systems, public open space, sports pitches with pavilion, wildlife areas, Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space, and supporting infrastructure and associated works on Land At Murrell Green, London Road, Murrell Green, Hook.

The Parish Council is working with its consultants to go through the 173 documents associated with this application and put together a comprehensive response. It is the intention of the Parish Council to hold an extraordinary meeting of the Parish Council on Monday 7 September at 7pm in the Village Hall to consider the content of the application and approve a response that will be submitted in the early autumn. This timeline has been agreed with officers at Hart District Council.

Please keep an eye on this website as it will be updated with information as often as we can.

July 2026

Winchfield Parish Council wrote to Hart District Council expressing eagerness to engage actively during the Local Plan process along with the WPC planning and landscape consultants.

June 2026

On 18 June 2026 Winchfield Parish Council submitted its response to the Hart Local Plan 2044 – Scoping Consultation. This consultation sought input from stakeholders on matters relevant to the preparation of the local plan, including what the plan should contain and how Hart District Council should engage with stakeholders in the preparation of the local plan.

May 2026

At the Annual Parish Assembly on 18 May 2026 there was a presentation that covered all the planning issues facing HDC and the potential impact on Winchfield. Also covered was the action being taken by the Parish Council and the proposed development at Murrell Green. The slides for the meeting can be found below, with the relevant slides being found on pages 30 to 45.

March 2026

On 12 March 2026 the local MP, Alex Brewer, wrote to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government asking for a “Clarification on Local Plan Regulations and the Lack of Protection During Interim Periods”. The full letter is attached below.

In March 2026 residents made the Parish Council aware that a consultation had begun on a proposal for a new village at Murrell Green. Full details of the proposal and the consultation process are available on website set up by Lightwood. Public consultation events were held in March and in May 2026. A summary of the proposals can be found in the slides presented to the Annual Parish Assembly on 18 May attached below.

This development proposal along with the wider planning context was originally discussed by the Parish Council at a meeting on Monday 16 March and the slides from that presentation can also be found below. The Minutes of the meeting are available on this website. 

The Parish Council will keep this page as up-to-date as possible on planning issues facing the village and if there is anything you would like to see here please contact the clerk: clerk@winchfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk