The proposals include up to 60 new homes (including affordable housing) and public open space.
As part of designing a high-quality development we are seeking to capture the vision, values and ideas of the community.
We want to provide local residents an opportunity to provide feedback before working up final plans which will be submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) as part of an outline planning application to later in the process.
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The website contains information on the proposals, plans and external links to useful sites that we hope you will find informative. Submit your feedback using the 'Have your Say' form, or by using any of the other feedback options detailed on this website. |
Basingstoke and Deane’s Local Plan sets out where new homes and facilities should go in the borough. The current plan runs from 2011 to 2029 and was adopted in 2016. Work is now underway to update it so that it reflects today’s needs and priorities.
The council has already asked local people for their views as part of consultations in 2020 and early 2024, and another consultation will take place later this year.
However, there is already a shortage of housing locally, especially affordable homes. The council cannot currently show that enough new homes are being built in the next five years, which is required by national planning rules set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (2024).
This is why this proposal is coming forward now. The site at Bishops Green offers a suitable and sustainable location for new homes, helping to meet the urgent need for both market and affordable housing.
Up to 60 New Homes - A well-balanced mix of housing, in-line with the Council’s housing mix policy including smaller 1,2 & 3 bed properties.
40% Affordable Homes - Providing an opportunity for those struggling to get on the housing ladder. Affordable housing is a combination of social rented, affordable rent and shared ownership housing, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market.
A Housing Association provider will deliver the affordable housing in accordance with the Council’s requirements.
Public Open Space - Significant public open space for use by the whole community will be provided.
This will include a network of new footpaths and cycleways leading to areas of open space with areas of informal and formal play.
Funding - Funding for key infrastructure such as schools, health facilities and roads will be paid by this development by payment of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
CIL is a fixed payment based on the size of the new development. It requires developers to pay to the Council for every sq.m of market housing built, including any garages. Affordable homes are exempt from this payment.
CIL receipts from the development will also be available to fund improvements for education, highways, public transport, green infrastructure, environmental improvements and leisure/community facilities.
The exact amount which this development will pay will depend on the final number of houses and the exact size of those homes. This payment amount is calculated once the detailed consent is granted. This ensures the funding for any necessary infrastructure improvements is provided in the early stages as the levy is paid whilst the houses are being built.
Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Parish Council will receive up to 25% of the total CIL contribution, which they can use to support the development of the local area and it will be for the local community to decide how this money is to be spent.
Energy Efficient and Low Carbon Homes - Homes both new and existing account for 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.
To help reduce carbon emissions and keep down household energy costs, the new homes built will meet the latest energy efficiency standards and be heated by cleaner energy sources.
New homes could feature technology including photovoltaic (solar) panels, heat pumps, triple glazing and standards for walls, floors and roofs that significantly limit any heat loss.
The provision of electric vehicle charging points will also be provided in accordance with the adopted Parking Standards SPD along with opportunities for car clubs.
Ecology & Trees - Ecological surveys have been undertaken. The site comprises two agriculturally improved grassland field, which are of limited ecological value themselves.
No evidence of badger or reptiles was encountered through the surveys, whilst common and widespread bird species were noted to be breeding, principally around the edge of the site within the hedgerows and neighbouring woodland.
The proposals present an opportunity to deliver benefits for biodiversity, including the strengthening of habitats within and around the site, which would improve habitat provision and connectivity of habitats in the wider landscape. Faunal enhancements will also be provided for the benefit of a range of species including birds and bats.
Existing hedgerows and trees will be retained as far as possible to ensure a landscape led scheme and a 10% net gain in biodiversity.
There are no ancient or veteran trees on or directly adjacent to the site and no woodland on or abutting the site that is classified as ancient.
Landscape & Visual - The Site is not located within, or near, any statutory, non-statutory or local landscape designations.
A key component of the scheme is the provision of a new network of publicly accessible open spaces and green connections. Central to the green infrastructure proposals is the provision of a substantial area of open space at the northern extent of the Site.
This will retain and enhance existing landscape features and deliver a multifunctional green and blue corridor incorporating play spaces, recreational routes, and a diversity of habitats, in parallel with the integration of sustainable drainage system.
Light & Noise - A Lighting Impact Assessment is being carried out to inform the lighting design, ensuring any lighting will be sympathetic to avoid over lighting, sky glow and glare.
The background environmental noise across the site is largely dominated by road traffic on on Ecchinswell Road and the A339. Mitigation measures will be utilised to control noise, such as double glazing and appropriate stand-off distances.
Access, Highways & Transport - The site access will be positioned approximately 90m north of Ash Road, in the gap between existing trees.
The access road will cater for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Footways will be provided on both sides of the road, connecting to the existing footway on Ecchinswell Road via uncontrolled pedestrian crossing points. The ‘Four Oaks’ bus stops, the village shop and the village hall can easily be accessed on foot from the site.
A Transport Statement, containing a review of highway safety and details of the site access, will be submitted with the planning application. The focus of any highway mitigation measures will be on improving pedestrian connectivity.
Flooding and Drainage - The development areas will be sited in Flood Zone 1. These areas are assessed as having a less than 1 in 1,000 annual probability of river or sea flooding (<0.1%) in any one year. This is the lowest probability of flooding and is considered suitable for residential properties in national policy.
A full Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) will assess all other sources of flood risk including pluvial, groundwater, sewer, reservoir and artificial drainage.
The indicative surface water drainage strategy is being designed in accordance with the relevant technical standards and will adhere to the guidelines as stipulated by the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA).
Greenfield sites have to ensure there is no worse surface water run-off flow than the current field run off rate, therefore the storage methods on site will ensure a betterment to the surface water runoff rate compared to the existing greenfield.
Additionally, onsite surface water attenuation will be provided in a range of sustainable drainage (SuDS) features. These SuDS features will not only provide attenuation but also provide significant water quality benefits.
Air Quality - The site is not located located within or close to an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). As part of the proposals an air quality assessment will be undertaken and, if appropriate, proportionate measures will be identified to mitigate impacts. These will include ensuring air quality is maintained during the construction phases.
As a result of the Sewage Treatment Works to the north of the site we have undertaken a preliminary Odour Assessment. This has informed the size of the cordon sanitaire that surrounds the Sewage Treatment Works. A Detailed Odour Assessment is being undertaken as part of the planning phase works and will be submitted as part of the planning application documents.
This area can still be used for open space and drainage, however no homes can be located within this area.
This is an opportunity for you to have your say:
Your feedback will help shape our proposals before we submit our planning application. Comments received will be compiled in a Statement of Community Involvement which will be submitted with our planning application.
Any comments you make in response to these proposals will not affect your right to comment on the planning application submitted to the Local Authority in due course.
Please let us have your feedback by no later than Sunday 19th October 2025.
Catesby Estates is preparing proposals for new homes and public open space for Land East of Ecchinswell Road, Bishops Green. The site totals 12.3 acres (4.9 hectares) with approximately 50% of the site totalling landcaping and public open space.
Planning ApplicationWe will be submitting an outline planning application with all matters reserved (excluding access). Outline planning applications seek to establish whether the scale and nature of a proposed development would be acceptable to the Local Planning Authority, before a fully detailed proposal is put forward. Where outline permission has been granted, and within three years of the outline approval, an application for the outstanding reserved matters can be submitted, i.e. the information excluded from the initial outline planning application. This will typically include information about the layout, scale and appearance of the development. Statutory consultees (eg. Environment Agency, Highways England, Natural England and Parish Councils) and local residents will also have the opportunity to formally comment on the applications once they are submitted and registered with the Local Authority. |
It is recognised that Greenham Common Business Park is a major employment hub in the area, with businesses located there currently attracting employees from a significant catchment area.
Bringing new homes to the area will offer the opportunity for employees (existing or new) to locate in closer proximity to their place of work supporting sustainable travel to work options, as well as encouraging new business to the area to match the availability of local employees.
New development will be key to aiding economic recovery at both a local and national level as a result of the Covid pandemic, and the recognosed economic benefits of new housing development are significant. A study by the Confederation of British Industries (CBI) demonstrates that construction projects have a significant benefit on the local and wider economy.
The report concludes that for every £1 of construction expenditure, £2.84 is injected into the economy.
New homes in Bishops Green will create direct local employment opportunities as well as indirect benefits through demand for goods and services in the local and wider area to support the construction phase. New homes and the resulting new residents will help contribute to the ongoing vitality of Bishops Green.
In addition the Council will benefit from an increase in Council Tax revenue and the New Homes Bonus helping them to continue to provide key local services.
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Keep up to date with all the latest information from Catesby Estates and our strategic land promotion work.
