This page is a record of the correspondence concerning the Redbrown developments at the top

The HVA want to thank those of you who objected, for an outstanding response. Your objections are well structured, factual and restrained. For a village of 1500 people, 500 objections sends a clear message about the level of concern the current Redbrown development proposal has created. However, this is just the first stage, and we need to be prepared for a long campaign. As Churchill famously said: “This is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end, but it maybe the end of the beginning”.

We will keep an eye on what goes on but for now we’ve turned the heat down to ‘simmer’

For anyone who subscribes to the EHDC update mails, there was an article yesterday where they (correctly) lauded the success of getting someone to remove an unauthorised structure. The relevant bit of the article, though, from our planning perspective (and something to add to the armoury) was this: Cllr Sara Schillemore, ward councillor for Catherington, said: “Residents were appalled to see this unsightly structure being erected in one of the most picturesque and valuable viewpoints in East Hampshire.

“It’s vitally important that we protect our precious landscape and residents will be thrilled to see the development removed.

Dear Holybourne Residents,

I hope you are well. I am writing to advise that our application for land to the north of London Road, Holybourne has now been submitted to East Hampshire District Council.

I understand the Council have a processing backlog, so it may take a couple of weeks before the application is formally validated and neighbour notifications are issued, however I thought you would appreciate an early notification, and I attach the submitted illustrative masterplan for information. This is very similar to the previously circulated masterplan, importantly the scheme remains at 160 dwellings.

I appreciate that the submission of the application will not be welcome news for some residents. And I understand that the community will want to carefully interrogate the application over the coming weeks and months and make their formal comments to the Council for their consideration.

Nevertheless, I’d like to take this opportunity to explain why we consider the scheme will deliver benefits for Holybourne. Some key points are set out below:

Surface Water Drainage – Given the identified presence of shallow groundwater across parts of the site, a detailed Water Feature Survey of the site has been undertaken and groundwater monitoring has also been undertaken. In addition, a detailed review of historic groundwater monitoring for the local area has been undertaken. The Water Feature Survey has identified a ‘spring line’ which appears to be associated with the zone of water table fluctuations within the Chalk aquifer.

The presence of shallow groundwater across parts of the Site, and the identified spring line, means that the preliminary drainage strategy does not include infiltration SuDS. Instead, the proposed Drainage Strategy incorporates SuDS features to attenuate surface water runoff and the identified spring-fed flows before discharge to the existing, off-site surface water drainage system.

Importantly, the identified spring-fed ditch is proposed to be diverted into the proposed surface water network to mitigate the flooding it is causing to the downstream network. This will reduce the risk of flooding for nearby existing properties.

London Road Walking and Cycling Improvements – The scheme will deliver new walking and cycling infrastructure along London Road. This will make London Road a more suitable and safer route for walking and cycling significantly improving active travel opportunities for the existing and future residents of Holybourne, with the associated sustainability benefits. This will also realise the aspiration of the East Hampshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Relocated & Improved Play Area – The existing play area will be relocated a short distance to be adjacent to the cricket ground. New play equipment will be provided. In addition, the existing play equipment will be carefully dismantled and where possible repurposed. Overall, an enhanced play area will be provided for new and existing residents.

Extensive Additional Public Open Space – In addition to the improved play area the scheme will deliver a further 7.1ha of new public open space. This will include a garden square, a kick about area, forest garden, blue/green ecology corridors and new walking routes which connect into the wider Public Right of Way network.

Ecology Enhancements – The scheme will also deliver in excess of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain, securing an uplift in biodiversity above the current baseline of the agricultural land. This will have wider ecological benefit to the wider area, as the increased biodiversity value of the Site will support and benefit the local flora and fauna.

Community Infrastructure Levy – The proposed development will also pay Community Infrastructure Levy. This will allow the Local Authority to allocate funds to deliver new or improved infrastructure and facilities, with associated benefit to the wider community.

Finally, this scheme will of course deliver new homes, including 40% affordable housing. Whilst the scheme has been reduced in scale from 223 dwellings to 160 dwellings, this will still provide a significant contribution to meeting unmet housing need in the local area.

I understand that this will not alleviate all concerns, but I hope that your detailed review of the application submissions will at the very least demonstrate our continued commitment to bring forward a high-quality scheme.

As ever, very happy to discuss this further should that be off assistance.

Kind regards

Fiona Jaques
Redbrown Limited

Please find HERE the updated map which shows the area that the Redbrown development will cover

Surface water is a problem as well. Some of the proposed development is being built on a bog due to surrounding springs.

Yes, the surface water is a real problem for the developers as they cannot stop it though they say they are creating suds ponds but it is not clear to me how they can direct the water there from beneath the development.

The SuDs have been abandoned for piped drainage.

Dear Holybourne Residents,
I write with an update following our public consultation event in January.

Through the consultation we received extensive feedback. We acknowledge that some significant concerns were raised through this process.

We have considered this feedback in detail, and this has informed further technical work undertaken over the subsequent months and, importantly, significant revisions to the scheme. It is the purpose of this note to provide an overview of this further work and the changes that we have made to address the concerns that have been raised:
A reduction in the number of new homes proposed – We understand and acknowledge that some residents consider that no new housing should be built in Holybourne. However, we respectfully maintain that this site comprises a highly sustainable location to meet at least some of the acute unmet demand for new homes in Holybourne and Alton. However, we also acknowledge that the community considered circa. 200 homes to be too much new housing for this community to accommodate. As such we have substantively reduced the number of new homes proposed to 160 dwellings. This is a reduction of nearly 30% from the 223 dwellings that were allocated by the Town Council in the draft Alton Neighbourhood Plan. Please see attached our updated masterplan.

Revised Surface Water Drainage Strategy – Many residents flagged that parts of the site had high levels of ground water, as a function of the underground aquifers which run across this area. Whilst we had already undertaken ground water monitoring it would have been remiss of us to ignore this local knowledge and not heed these warnings. Accordingly, we have undertaken further ground water monitoring and detailed hydrogeology modelling, which has in turn informed a new drainage strategy for the site. Due to the high water table in parts of the site, most notably the south western corner adjacent to Stream Acres, rather than proposing infiltration of surface water into the ground, it is now proposed to attenuate surface water onsite and discharge at greenfield run-off rates into a new surface water sewer in London Road, connecting into the existing Thames Water system that discharges to the River Wey, to the south of the A31 on Lower Neatham Mill Lane. The scheme will result in betterment for the surrounding area, ensuring that surface water run-off from the site is better managed than the current conditions.

Road safety and Traffic – The impact of the additional traffic generated by the development upon London Road, in terms of increased congestion and safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists was also a key concern. It is important to emphasise that prior to the public consultation event we had already had extensive engagement with Hampshire Highways. They were very supportive of the proposed improvements to London Road to provide better walking and cycling conditions, and we are working with Hampshire Highways on enhancements to the scheme previously presented, including reduction in the speed limit to 20mph. Clearly the reduction in units from circa. 200 to 160 results in a proportionate reduction in traffic, and the proposed improvements to London Road should offer meaningful benefits and alternatives to travelling by car. We have undertaken further modelling on this basis, and this information has been presented to Hampshire Highways.
Local Character – As explained at the public exhibition, a key driver for the team is to deliver a genuinely high-quality scheme which reflects the character of the village. This will not be a run of the mill housing estate. We remain absolutely committed to this vision. By reducing the number of new homes from circa. 200 to 160 dwellings we have been able to revise the scheme to provide much more generous green infrastructure and open space, and to ‘loosen’ the density of development, particularly along the edges of the scheme. We are confident that this move ensures that the scheme more effectively reflects the character of the village and ties in with the surrounding landscape.

Whilst we acknowledge that some residents will remain deeply concerned by this proposed development, we nevertheless hope that these changes demonstrate that we have listened to the concerns raised and our commitment to work with the local community to deliver new homes in an appropriate and respectful way.

We have now submitted our EIA Screening Request to the Council, which includes a comprehensive technical review of the site conditions and the anticipated impacts of the development. This will be published on the planning register but is also attached for information.

It is then our intention to submit the planning application in early June when residents will of course have the opportunity to make their formal comments to the local planning authority. However, in advance of this we would be happy to answer any questions directly.
Best regards

Fiona Jaques
Redbrown Limited

It is anticipated that Redbrown will submit outline planning permission for their development in early May. This is to enable the relative statutory bodies to view the outlines and see where the points of concern lay.

The Planning Team will make sure that the village knows as soon as the plans are lodged 

Redbrown February update from our village liaison contact

FAO Holybourne Residents.
Froyle Estate – Update

Thank you for providing your feedback on our proposals.
Whilst we have been unable to reply to each response, due to the level of response received, our project team will be reviewing all the feedback over the coming weeks. I will endeavour to keep you abreast as our proposals progress and will inform you when a formal planning application is made.

Please note that we will shortly be submitting an ‘EIA Screening Request’ to the Council. This is not a planning application but does inform the planning process. Preliminary technical and environmental information will be published in support of the Screening Request and will be available for review.

Kind regards
Fiona Jaques
Redbrown Limited
fiona.jaques@redbrown.co.uk

Re note below from Redbrown:

Does Holybourne need a new neighbourhood? Please do make your feelings known.

“Villages are usually too small to have separate neighborhoods; they are mostly one community.”

No we are a community not separate neighbourhoods.

Please however you feel about this do go along and make your feelings known. They will count this as community engagement no matter how many or how few turn up so please do let them know your feelings.

Froyle Estate – Update
I wanted to let you all know that we will be consulting with the community later this month on our proposals for a sensitively designed new neighbourhood in Holybourne. This will include a drop-in session in Holybourne between 4pm and 7pm on Wednesday 29th January.  We would like to hear your thoughts, suggestions and concerns to help us shape our proposals.
Further details on how to get involved via our online consultation, post, telephone, email or in person (via our drop in session) will follow via post next week.
I really want to give everyone the opportunity to contribute their thoughts and therefore if during this time some residents are unable to respond (due to work or personal commitments) I am happy to arrange to meet with those residents at the Estate Office.
Kind regards  Fiona Jaques
Redbrown Limited