Residents in Broughton have demonstrated overwhelming opposition to plans for a new 40-home housing development, formally submitting a petition to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC).
The proposed development, known as “Hasley Meadows”, would see 40 new homes built on land east of the village. The application has sparked widespread concern among residents and comes just weeks after TVBC’s Southern Area Planning Committee approved a separate nine-home development at Cooler’s Farm, adding to fears about what locals describe as cumulative and uncoordinated growth in the village.
More than 250 residents signed the petition, with each signatory also submitting an individual written objection outlining their concerns about the scheme. The petition was delivered to TVBC’s Beech Hurst offices on Thursday morning by local representatives and community leaders.
Among those present were Test Valley Borough Councillor Stewart MacDonald, Hampshire County Councillor David Drew and Broughton Parish Council Chairman Councillor James Hodgson, alongside residents who have mobilised in response to the planning application.
The submission follows a public meeting held on 28 May, attended by more than 200 residents. Those present voiced strong opposition to the proposed development, describing it as unsustainable and out of keeping with the character of the village.
A spokesperson for the Broughton for Sustainable Development Group said: “Broughton is not opposed to growth — but it must be sustainable, proportionate, and community plan-led.
“What we are seeing instead is a wave of speculative applications that ignore local infrastructure constraints, environmental impacts, and the clearly expressed wishes of the community. The Hasley Meadows proposal is the tipping point. Residents have had enough.”
Residents have raised a number of concerns about the application, including the potential strain on local roads, drainage systems and essential services. There are also fears over the loss of green space, impacts on biodiversity and the effect the development could have on the village’s rural identity.
Particular concern has been expressed about access to the site via Horsebridge Road, a narrow country lane which residents say is already vulnerable to flooding and presents safety challenges for pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and mobility scooter users.
Objectors have also highlighted concerns about increased traffic movements, possible contamination risks to the nearby Wallop Brook and River Test, and the proximity of the proposed development to the village’s conservation area and sensitive wildlife habitats.
The group argues that the site is not identified within Broughton’s Neighbourhood Development Plan as a suitable location for development and that the scale of the proposal represents inappropriate overdevelopment for a single site within the village.
Residents have also questioned the site’s distance from key village amenities, including the school, doctor’s surgery, sports field, village hall and community shop.
The Broughton for Sustainable Development Group says the village has already made a significant contribution to local housing supply and remains supportive of development that is carefully planned and aligned with community needs.
The petition calls on Test Valley Borough Council to reject the Hasley Meadows application and to work closely with residents, the Parish Council and local representatives to ensure future development is sustainable, appropriately located and environmentally responsible.
The spokesperson added: “This petition is a clear message: Broughton will not accept development imposed on it without regard for sustainability or community voice. We expect TVBC to listen.”
An online petition opposing the development has also gathered more than 160 signatures.
The Hasley Meadows application remains under consideration by Test Valley Borough Council.