YELLOW LINES IN THE VILLAGE!!!
Redbrown Seeks to Reduce Parking Capacity on London Road Holybourne
Amongst the major objections to the highly controversial development plan for 160 houses in Holybourne are the adverse impacts of additional traffic through the village. In an attempt to address these traffic related objections, Redbrown’s traffic consultants Paul Basham held a ‘workshop’ with Hampshire County Councils Highways department on 6th October 2025. As a result of that workshop, Redbrown are recommending that much of the London Road in Holybourne, from Complins to Town & Country Cars, should have double-yellow lines with a limited number of designated parking spaces for residents – reducing the number of London Road parking spaces between Complins and Vindomis Close to just 37 cars.
Our initial surveys indicate that many more spaces are needed for residents alone, let alone other road users such as school-runs, JW congregation and delivery traffic. This will mean car parking spaces will be hotly contested and some residents will have to park on side roads, which themselves already have limited parking space.
A map showing the proposals is attached to this post.
Some Initial Thoughts from HVA
- The HVA feels Redbrown’s proposal will significantly harm the quality of life of a large number of villagers, impacting access to their own homes. The proposals also impact parking outside the village shop and, in turn, their business.
- To make matters worse we feel these proposals will do nothing to ease congestion in the village.
- We are alarmed at the lack of consultation with community about these proposals. This is despite assurances from East Hants District Council (EHDC) and Hampshire County Council (HCC) that they are focused on the needs of their communities, and from Redbrown that they wish to engage with villagers. We feel that if these proposals had been discussed with villagers, the major adverse impacts would have become obvious.
How to Protest
The HVA feels that, if villagers do not approve of these proposals, then immediate action is appropriate.
In due course there will be an opportunity to respond to the substance of these proposals via the EHDC planning process. The HVA will notify you when that consultation will take place.
However, we feel that it is likely that you will want to IMMEDIATELY PROTEST ABOUT THE WAY THESE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED, without, it seems, any regard for the huge number of traffic-related objections that the village has already raised or without involving the local community in drawing these plans up. We feel it directly contradicts HCC and EHDC stated priorities of serving their communities and of Redbrown’s public declarations of intent to consult with the village.
If you object to the way these traffic proposals have been developed, please email the following people to let them know your concerns, not only about the proposals themselves but the lack of local engagement in the process:
- Our County Councillor: andrew.joy@hants.gov.uk
Andrew is our elected representative on Hampshire County Council, who are responsible for highways. We suggest you ask him to ensure he forwards your views to the specific members of HCC’s Highways team.
- EHDC Planning Department: planning@easthants.gov.uk
Please copy in planning@holybourne.com to your emails, as this enables the HVA to see the nature of your objections and to represent your views better.
This a major threat to our village’s way of life – make your feelings known!
The HVA have submitted the 10 documents to the EHDC planning portal.
The overall summary document is here:- (HVA Response to Planning)
Here are the other 9 Objection Documents – they supplement the overall response to the planning one (linked above). We encourage you to read them and then object yourselves using these as a guide.
Each objection area links to our response documents and has a short explanation as well
Click on the + symbol to expand each section to read the summary and find the link
HVA main Summary Response Document
This document summarises our multiple objections into one easy-to-read document Response to Planning Application
It has a 10-minute read time, after which you will be fully up to date and, hopefully, believe that we can win this battle.
So, get that kettle on, open this document and become informed!
Size scale and impact on existing community
Our response to the size of the development . Size scale and impact on existing community
Over-Development will Urbanise our Rural Village
The proposed estate would increase Holybourne’s size by 30%—far beyond the “small-scale” growth permitted for rural villages and it is outside the defined settlement boundary, contrary to current planning policy.
This objection is backed by EHDC’s own planning policies, national law and legal precedents resulting from official planning appeals.
Loss of Holybourne Play Area
This document explains the effect of the development on the Play Park. Loss of Holybourne Play Area
The Holybourne Play Park is a cherished community asset. The proposed relocation cannot replace the outstanding views and rural setting of the current park, which is frequently used by many families inside and outside the village. It is also a designated Local Green Space. and the proposed relocation is a poor replacement for the current site.
Parents and families value the park for its tranquillity, safety and convenient location, next to the London Road. The outstanding views hugely contribute to the well-being of visitors of all ages.
Flood Risk and Drainage
Our views on the flood risk and drainage of the site. Flood Risk and Drainage
The development site lies on seasonal springs and waterlogged land. The developer’s plans rely on inadequate surveys and the proposed solution is not certain, depending as it does on incomplete data (no estimates on the volume of water generated nor the ability of the downstream infrastructure to cope).
The development site is known locally as ‘Streamacres’ for good reason.
Highways Impact
Our response to the traffic modelling presented in the application. Highways Impact
More Houses, More Traffic, More Congestion
The proposed development represents a 30% increase in housing stock in the village, which will result in a significant increase in vehicle numbers and pedestrians using the network. Based on national averages, this could mean 300–400 additional cars using the village roads daily.
The existing London Road is at capacity at peak times, and a large increase in peak-hour traffic will threaten pedestrian safety near three schools and creates congestion on narrow roads.
No Real Solution
The developer’s proposals to address this is by lower speed limits and building urban traffic calming measures. This will do nothing to address the fundamental problem of limited road capacity and will remove some on street parking in London Road
Local Infrastructure (includes sewage drainage)
This document highlights the lack of an Infrastructure Capacity Assessment for this development. Local Infrastructure
Sewage
The local sewage system already regularly discharges into the River Wey due to lack of capacity (375 hours of sewage discharge into the River Wey over the past three years). Current Thames Water data shows that Holybourne’s foul drainage system has failed repeatedly during heavy rainfall, with due to the Holybourne pumping station overload. Adding another 160 households (a 30% increase in Holybourne’s population) onto the existing network without significant upgrades is irresponsible.
Until then, any significant development in Holybourne must be considered unsustainable. In our view, East Hants District Council needs to receive binding assurances that these upgrades will be delivered in full. Until they are, the planning application should be rejected on these grounds alone.
Figures also suggest that Primary School Capacity is not sufficient to meet the projected increase of children likely to be housed.
Impact Upon Scheduled Monument
This document explains the significant harm that this development will have on the setting of this historically important Romano-British minor town. Impact Upon Scheduled Monument
The Roman Ancient Scheduled Monument at Cuckoo’s Corner dates back to the 1st Century and probably known as ‘Vindomis’. The current Scheduled Monument covers Holybourne Sports Field, the area to the north of the sports field, some residential curtilages to the rear of London Road properties and extends west of New Lane into the field adjacent. The Roman road remains run through the middle of the Village Sports Ground.
The proposed relocation of the Holybourne play area and kick about area onto the Scheduled Monument itself risks trivialising and damaging a nationally significant heritage asset - an act that prioritises convenience over cultural responsibility.
The creation of a large housing estate right next to this nationally significant monument would reduce it to a fenced-off relic, stripped of its physical context.
Other Heritage Impacts
As well as the scheduled ancient monument the development will impact on other listed buildings. Our response can be read here. Other Heritage Impacts
Holybourne Conservation Area
The historic environment of Holybourne is an irreplaceable resource. The heritage assets should be conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of existing and future generations.
The proposal destroys the rural setting of the historic village core, which includes the Grade II * Church of the Holy Rood and over 30 listed buildings. It will sever the connection of our historic village core from its rural surroundings, causing substantial harm to the fundamental character of the village.
The proposed urbanisation of the application site would also lead to substantial harm to the setting of the Grade II listed properties of Holybourne House, Oak Cottage and The Forge.
Failure to Support EHDCs Sustainable Transport Objectives
EHDC have a vision for providing sustainable transport methods aimed at reducing overall traffic. This development does not comply with that. Failure to Support EHDCs Sustainable Transport Objectives
Landscape and Visual Impact
This document is our response to the impact the development will have. Landscape and Visual Impact
The site lies outside Holybourne’s settlement boundary, forming part of the open countryside and contributing to the village’s rural setting. The landscape has very high value due to the outstanding countryside views and active community use of the Play Area and local footpaths.
A housing estate in an open and undeveloped area would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of the area. It disregards the established scale and identity of Holybourne, failing to respond to the village’s capacity for growth and undermining its local distinctiveness.
Objecting
The window for registering initial objections has now closed and the Planning Department will now be assessing the application. If you still wish to object, then try to use East Hants District Council online planning portal, however this may not be functioning now. You can still email your objections directly to EHDC planning.
There is a simple step-by-step guide to registration HERE Click on this link to open the planning portal. Open
Redbrown, owners of the Froyle Estate, have formally applied for outline planning permission to build a new 160-dwelling housing estate on open countryside at the NE corner of Holybourne, opposite Town & Country Cars.
The size and scale of the development is shown in the map on the right (click map to enlarge)
Please see the letter below from Redbrown development to the Village via the HVA
Dear Holybourne Resident,
I write as promised with an update concerning our planning application for land north of London Road.
In response to the comments and concerns expressed by the local community we have been working closely with our design and technical team to explore if and how these concerns can be addressed.
Alongside this we have also been liaising with the Council and the key statutory consultees including the Highway Authority, the Lead Local Flood Authority and Historic England, to investigate how we can resolve their objections.
Informed by these discussions, we are in the process of preparing amendments to the scheme and additional supporting technical information.
In due course the amended scheme and supporting technical information will be submitted to the Council and a formal period of re-consultation will be undertaken.
Whilst we understand that the ‘in principle’ objections to housing in this location may remain, we nevertheless hope that these amendments and further information will go some way to alleviate at least some of the detailed objections that have been raised.
Kind regards
Fiona Jaques
Redbrown Limited
I have spoken to the archaeologist digging in the field by the playground.
He is digging 4 test trenches to determine the depth of any archeological artificacts.
His independent company is commissioned by the developer. What he does will be assessed by the County Archeologist.
Holybourne Community Group Facebook PageThis is the link for the Holybourne Community Group.