Over the course of the last week or so I have been to the public consultation event about TVBC's local plan in Weyhill, and the public meeting organised by Stockbridge, Houghton and Longstock Parish Councils. Both events were absolutely packed with local residents deeply worried about both individual sites and the cumulative impact of several sites taken together. It is of no consolation to anyone that this is a direct result of the Government increasing housing requirements for Boroughs like Test Valley, but it is hard to see how some of the villages, with no mains drainage, gas, public transport or school places will cope with the scale of building that is being demanded.
It is interesting that Southampton City has actually seen the number of new builds required there go down, despite the numbers of former retail premises which might reasonably be converted without the loss of any green field sites. The premise of brownfield first should not just be a mantra we all recite, but something that Councils actually strive to achieve. That is much easier in the larger urban areas than in rural boroughs like Test Valley.
I would like to pay tribute to Cllr Chris Craig from Wellow Parish Council, who last week led a band of intrepid volunteers clearing up the mess on Half Moon Common left after a group of travellers were eventually moved on. The mess was not just disgusting, but also a health hazard, and potentially lethal to the New Forest ponies and other wildlife. There was at least one large gas canister left behind and countless other items and burning plastic. I am off to spend my annual recess day with the National Park Authority later this month and no doubt this will be on the agenda. I have to say a huge well done to Chris, and also to TVBC who a few weeks ago moved another group on from the sports ground at Ganger Farm very rapidly.
I am looking forward to my visit to Thursdays Together at St Albans Church in Swaythling this week. They provide a great service to the local community, supporting victims of domestic abuse, tackling loneliness, and have a partnership with "The Big Difference" and Frontline Debt Advice. Then it is off to have a chat with the new Bishop of Southampton, who was a big hit locally when she preached at the 2025 Florence Nightingale Service.