Plans for up to 400 new homes at Bere Hill, on the southern edge of Andover, remain under consideration as questions continue over traffic, wildlife and pressure on local services.
New transport documents have been submitted to Test Valley Borough Council, while the latest consultation deadline has been extended to Wednesday 25 November 2026.
The outline application, reference 26/02098/OUTN, was validated on 29 September and is being promoted by Catesby Estates.
What Is Proposed at Bere Hill?
The development would occupy approximately 30.59 hectares of farmland between Ladies Walk, Churchill Way (A3093) and Micheldever Road, north of the A303.
Of the proposed 400 homes, 160 would be affordable housing, representing 40% of the total. The plans indicate 112 homes for affordable or social rent and 48 for intermediate housing, including shared ownership.
The proposals also include approximately 18.25 hectares of open space, with a countryside park, children’s play areas, landscaping and new walking and cycling connections.
The main vehicle entrance would be provided through a new roundabout on Churchill Way, with a separate emergency access.
Only the access arrangements are being considered in detail at this stage. The final appearance, layout and design of the homes would require further approval.
Concerns Over Churchill Way and the A303
National Highways has asked the council not to approve the application before 19 January 2027 while further information about traffic affecting the A303 is assessed.
Its earlier response identified missing transport assessment appendices needed to understand how vehicles would use the nearby A303 junction, approximately 500 metres from the proposed entrance.
Those additional transport documents were uploaded on 3 November. The council’s register shows National Highways was consulted again on 4 November.
It remains to be established whether the new information fully addresses its concerns.
Active Travel England has also recommended that consideration of the application be deferred, raising questions about traffic forecasts and whether proposed walking and cycling routes would provide suitable access to schools and local services.
These are requests for further evidence rather than findings that the development would necessarily cause unacceptable congestion.
NHS Requests Funding for More GP Capacity
Healthcare provision is another concern.
According to the reported NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight consultation response, the development could accommodate approximately 948 additional residents.
The NHS has requested £392,179 towards additional GP capacity, with funding proposed to support an extension to Adelaide Medical Centre.
The request reflects concerns about existing GP premises serving the area. Any developer contribution would need to be considered and secured through the planning process.
No GP surgery or primary school is included within the current 400-home application.
Wildlife and Ladies Walk
Test Valley’s ecology team has objected pending further evidence, including outstanding bat survey results.
Concerns include possible disturbance to bat habitats, the movement of hazel dormice and the need for measures to protect skylarks.
Ladies Walk, its historic Iron Bridge and nearby listed buildings are also important considerations. The council’s conservation officer has not objected to the principle of the landscape treatment around Ladies Walk, although concerns have been raised about the position of the proposed roundabout.
Residents have raised objections about countryside loss, wildlife, traffic, school places and existing infrastructure.
The council’s online public comments section currently records 11 objections and no supporting comments. Further written representations are also listed among the application documents. Andover Town Council submitted a consultation response on 29 October.
Is This Part of a Larger Development?
The 400 homes form part of land previously identified in Test Valley’s draft Local Plan for approximately 1,400 homes at Bere Hill.
That wider proposal included provision for a new primary school. However, Test Valley decided in July 2026 to restart preparation of its Local Plan under a different system. The earlier allocation is not an adopted permission for 1,400 homes.
The Bere Hill application is also separate from the proposed 900-home development at Manor Farm, Knights Enham, which Love Andover covered in August in our report Can Infrastructure Cope? Questions Raised Over 900 New Homes in Andover.
Together, the proposals raise wider questions about how roads, schools, healthcare and other facilities will be provided as Andover grows.
What Happens Next?
As of Saturday 7 November 2026, the Bere Hill application remains undecided, with no planning committee date confirmed.
The council’s current target decision date is 29 December, although the outstanding consultation work could affect that timetable.
Residents can view the application documents and submit comments through Test Valley Borough Council’s planning portal, using reference 26/02098/OUTN.
The latest consultation deadline shown on the register is Wednesday 25 November 2026.