The Winchester City Council Planning Committee met on Wednesday, 24th September 2025, to consider a number of planning applications and related matters. The agenda for the meeting included applications for residential developments, alterations to existing dwellings, and a renewable energy generating station. The committee, including Councillor Jane Rutter, Chair of the Planning Committee, and Councillor Jonathan Williams, Vice-Chairperson, was scheduled to discuss each item, considering officer recommendations, public feedback, and relevant planning policies.

Planning Applications

The committee was scheduled to review several planning applications, with detailed reports available in the Public reports pack.

Land at Titchfield Lane, Wickham

Councillors were expected to discuss a proposal for a renewable energy generating station at Land At Titchfield Lane Wickham Hampshire. The application, reference 24/02804/FUL, involves the installation, operation, and decommissioning of ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays, along with transformer stations, access tracks, security measures, and landscaping. The application requests temporary permission for 40 years. This item was not scheduled to be considered before 2:00 pm.

The report pack included a Committee Report Titchfield Lane Solar Farm and a Committee Presentation titchfiled solar farm.

The report pack noted that Shedfield Parish Council and Wickham and Knowle Parish Council had requested that the application be determined by the Planning Committee.

The report pack stated that the Service Lead – Sustainability and Natural Environment (Landscape) had concerns over parcels 8 and 9 and recommended their removal from the application. The Service Lead – Built Environment (Historic Environment) also objected due to concerns over nearby heritage assets adjacent to parcels 6 and 7.

The report pack stated that the Service Lead – Sustainability and Natural Environment (Ecology) had no objection following additional information submitted, subject to conditions.

The report pack stated that the Hampshire County Council (Highway Authority) had no objection subject to conditions and a S278 agreement¹.

The report pack stated that the Hampshire County Council (Rights of Way) initially requested obligations secured via s106², but following further comment, had no objections subject to conditions.

The report pack stated that the NHS required a contribution of £29,102.

The report pack stated that the proposal was for 63 Ha of solar panels over 10 land parcels, which would generate a maximum 49.9MW of electricity. The solar panels would be approximately 2.4m high.

The report pack stated that the application also included String Inverters, MV Transformer stations, customer switchgear, spare parts containers, a Distribution Network Operator compound and construction compounds. Associated development in the form of fences, cctv, lighting and landscaping was also proposed.

The report pack stated that the application would make use of a number of existing accesses, with upgrades to accommodate development along the A334³, Blind Lane, Biddenfield Lane and Titchfield Lane.

The report pack stated that Public Right of Way (PROW) Wickham 14 was proposed to be re-routed to follow the existing permissive path between Parcels 6 and 7.

The report pack stated that significant planting was also proposed.

The report pack recommended that the application be permitted, as it was considered that the proposal would result in public benefits that outweigh the harm generated.

Pitt Manor, Romsey Road, Winchester

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the construction of 48 dwellings at Pitt Manor, Romsey Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 5PR (reference: 25/01208/FUL). The proposal includes the formation of an access onto Kilham Lane, provision of landscaping, open space, and drainage, as well as the demolition of existing buildings, with phased development.

The report pack included a Pitt Manor Committee Report 2024 and a Pitt Manor presentation.

The report pack stated that the application was reported to Committee due to the number of Objections received contrary to the Officer's recommendation.

The report pack stated that this application was a resubmission of a previously refused application. The previous application (24/02377/FUL) was refused for reasons including failure to provide the required amount of affordable housing, insufficient information relating to biodiversity net gain⁴, and failure to protect and enhance biodiversity across the District.

The report pack stated that this application has been submitted with a proposal of 48 dwellings, the same as the previous application with 5 of the dwellings proposed to be affordable, shared ownership dwellings. In addition to this a contribution of £171,000 was proposed.

The report pack stated that the Service Lead – New Homes Delivery (New Homes) considered that the planning application was not policy compliant, however it was recognised that the provision of on-site affordable housing has been achieved and there was a financial viability assessment to show that with on-site affordable housing this was the best that can be achieved. The Housing team have confirmed that there was a high need for affordable housing in this location.

The report pack stated that the NHS required a contribution of £29,102.

The report pack recommended that the application be permitted, as it was considered that it would respond positively to the character, appearance and variety of the local environment, was acceptable in terms of highway safety and would not harm neighbouring residential amenity and was in accordance with the development plan.

3-4 Court Road, Kings Worthy

The committee was scheduled to discuss a variation of condition 2 on application 24/00914/FUL for 3 - 4 Court Road Kings Worthy Hampshire (reference: 25/01206/VAR). The variation sought to extend the dwellings with a single-storey extension to create additional space for a utility room, WC, and boot room.

The report pack included a 3- 4 Court Road Committee Report 2024 and a 3-4 Court Road presentation.

The report pack stated that the application was reported to Committee due to the number of Objections received contrary to the Officer's recommendation.

The report pack stated that Kings Worthy Parish Council wished to support this application.

The report pack recommended that the application be permitted, as it was considered that it would not result in a detrimental impact to the character of the surrounding area and would not harm neighbouring residential amenity.

59 Teg Down Meads, Winchester

The committee was scheduled to discuss a change of use application for 59 Teg Down Meads Winchester Hampshire SO22 5NG (reference: 22/01388/FUL). The application sought to change the use of the property from a 6-bedroom house in multiple occupation⁵ (HMO) (C4) to an 8-bedroom HMO (sui generis⁶).

The report pack included a 59 Teg Down Meads Committee report and a 59 Teg Down Meads presentation.

The report pack stated that the application was reported to Committee due to the number of Objections received contrary to the Officer's recommendation.

The report pack stated that the Service Lead – Private Sector Housing and the Service Lead – Public Protection (Environmental Health) had no objections or comments to the proposal.

The report pack stated that the City of Winchester Trust had no objection.

The report pack recommended that the application be permitted, as it was considered that it would not have a significant adverse impact on the character of the area and would not harm neighbouring residential amenity.

Norlands, Otterbourne Road, Compton

The committee was scheduled to discuss a retrospective application for the variation of conditions 2 and 3 of application 24/00350/HOU relating to changes to elevational finishes and dimensions of the proposed outbuilding at Norlands Otterbourne Road Compton Winchester Hampshire (reference: 24/02233/FUL).

The report pack included a Norlands Committee report and a Norlands presentation.

The report pack stated that the application was reported to Committee due to Ward Councillor Jan Warwick requesting that the application be determined by Planning Committee.

The report pack stated that Compton and Shawford Parish Council objected to the application.

The report pack recommended that the application be permitted, as it was considered that the proposed amendments do not result in a significant adverse impact upon the character and appearance of the site and surrounding area, and would not result in a significant adverse impact upon the neighbouring residential amenity that would warrant refusal.

Other Matters

The agenda also included:

• Apologies and Deputy Members
• Disclosures of Interest
• Minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 August 2025, as detailed in the Minutes Public Pack.
• Acceptance of the Update Sheet as an addendum to the Report, as detailed in the Update Sheet.