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Romsey & District Society

Conserving our Heritage

Protecting our Future

Dear Nick,

Welcome to the February 2005 Newsletter.  A chance to find out what the society has been doing and have your say about the future and a bumper month of sociable walks.

AGM 2025

Tuesday 18th February

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The Romsey and District Society Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 18th February 2025 at the Crosfield Hall Annex and everyone is warmly invited to attend.

The 2 year role of chairmen ends at this AGM and current chair will be stepping down to take on the role of vice chair for the next year. A new chairman is therefore required to ensure the Society will continue. Please contact the secretary immediately if you may be able to assist in any way.

We welcome new members -this is an opportunity to find out more about what we are doing and how you might get more involved.

AGM Details

Tuesday 4th February

Walk - Stockley New Forest Walk

6 miles Leisurely

Walk starts at 10.00am at Hawkhill Car Park (nearest postcode SO42 7WB,

grid ref:SU351019); car sharing suggested. This is a circular walk via Hatchet Moor Airdrome, Roundhill, Ladycross Lodge, Frame Heath & Hawkhill Enclosures. Map OS Explorer OL22. Option of lunch afterwards at the Filly Inn, Brockenhurst.

Miles: 6 miles. Contact Noel Boulting: 02380 276309, email: [email protected]

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Thursday 27th February

Squabb Wood Walk

Meet at 10.30am at the entrance to the Memorial Park. We will walk across 3 fields to Squabb Wood to visit the site of Mrs Biddlecombe’s Tea Room, sadly long gone! There is no path for the final part where we have to push around rhododendron bushes, so the access is not the easiest. There is also an option also to visit the old Romsey Firing Range on our return. Total distance about 2.5 miles, with one stile (twice!). Option of lunch afterwards at the Nightingale in Latimer Street.

Please contact Keith or Lesley Stone ([email protected] or phone 07779771108) for more information and to book for lunch if required.

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Details of all planned friendly walks can be found at bit.ly/rdswalks

RDS Walks Page
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Planning Matters

Ganger Farm South

Both the RDS Planning Committee and the Natural Environment Committee have submitted objections to the plans to develop the land south of Ganger Farm.  Our comments have been included in the Officer Report for the TVBC Planning Committee. The full report can be viewed HERE.



The officers have summarised our objections as follows:





Romsey and District Society – Natural Environment Committee – Objection (Summarised)

1. The site is outside the Settlement Boundary and in the Countryside, according to the current Revised Local Plan. There is also no housing need for this development. Southern Test Valley currently has a housing land supply of 6.83 years, well in excess of the 5 years’ supply required.

2. There are 6 SINCs which will be directly impacted by the proposals.

3. We are particularly concerned with the proposal for a footpath/cycle path through the SINCs to the south towards the A3090 Winchester Road.

4. With reference to the isolated oaks, we contest their classification as “urban trees”; they were plainly there long before any urban development in the area and would likely be relics of old woodlands or hedgerows.

5. We note that no surveys have been carried out in the southern part of the area, where the SINCs adjoin the Winchester Road. A recent bat survey noted that a number of bats were seen commuting across Ganger Farm Meadow and Ganger Swamp.

6. With regard to runoff of water from the site, the streams flow down to Crampmoor under the main road and on to the Tadburn Lake, which in turn passes through the Tadburn Meadows LNR and on to the River Test. There is a risk to these sites from changes in runoff, and also to the wet woodlands on site which are a priority habitat.

7. Concerned about water resources in the Test Valley, which are increasingly under threat from increased demand. However water- efficient new developments may be, they will always increase the overall use of our diminishing water resources.

8. In summary, we are objecting to the development in the countryside without justification; destruction of priority habitats and species; to the creation of a wide swathe of trackway through these habitats; to changes in hydrology caused by building, affecting on-site and off-site habitats; and to dubious proposals for mitigation.



Romsey and District Society – Planning Committee – Objection (Summarised)

1. The site is outside the settlement boundary and contrary to policy (Com2) to protect the countryside. The appropriate time to consider this site, or any other, is in the preparation and context of the next emerging Local Plan and not as a separate application at this present time.

2. In terms of housing need Southern Test Valley has allocated 37% more than the five year land supply required and therefore there is no justification for this application.

3. There is no evidence the developer has demonstrated the cumulative impact of the proposed development on the existing infrastructure and its effect on the provision of additional resources needed in respect of

(a) school/education facilities, 

(b) Doctor surgeries/medical centres,

(c) recreational amenities,

(d) emergency services,

(e) road layout improvements.

4. We are concerned that access to the development site hinges on an over long cul-de-sac with the potential of excessive traffic passing through the narrow Scoreys Crescent and the entire route to Jermyns Lane. Acceptance of this application would result in demands on precious water resources and sewerage requirements which must be demonstrated to be deliverable before the application is considered.

5. In conclusion, there is no material consideration to outweigh the current valid planning policy and therefore the application should be refused.

The Romsey Peregrine Project

Perched high up on the Romsey Abbey tower, next to the belfry, is a small area of roof that has been visited by peregrines during the breeding season. So far, they have not nested but it is hoped that, with a bit of encouragement, maybe they can be enticed to nest in the coming seasons. To this end, Romsey and District Society have supported a project to install a nest box and live stream camera on the Abbey roof. Here is the live stream camera. So far, not much to see but hopefully we will see more action in the summer.

Link to live feed
gif-c2-dnpqna-romsey-abbey-peregri-2025-01-22-224411
More Events and News

If you ever miss or lose a monthly Newsletter, you can find present and past copies on our website HERE

To get involved in what we do or if you have ideas for activities you think we should be organising or that you would like to take part in, please contact our secretary using the email address below.  

You are receiving this email because you provided your email address to the Society.

[email protected]

Romsey & District Society 

c/o Bells Solicitors, 5 Market Place, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8FX

Email: [email protected]

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