Plans for homes on paddock site in Hampshire country

Applicant Mrs N Duffey is seeking permission for a single detached house with a garage, access, parking and garden on land at Paddock Lodge, off Farleigh Lane, Dummer.

The land is currently used as a private equestrian paddock linked to the existing property.

In a design and access statement, planning agents Lasseter Downie describe the scheme as a “modest” infill development, arguing the plot is visually enclosed by neighbouring homes and vegetation so does not read as open countryside.

The planning application (Image: Newsquest)

They say Farleigh Lane is characterised by large detached houses in generous plots, often with paddocks or big gardens, and claim the new dwelling would “sit comfortably” within that pattern.

The document also reveals that a second application for another single dwelling on adjoining land has been submitted, with the two plots shown as A and B. The consultants say the bids have been separated because of changes to national Biodiversity Net Gain rules announced by the Government in April, which affect how small schemes must deliver habitat improvements.

The proposed house would be a traditionally styled, oak‑framed property with brick, pitched roofs and dormer windows, with solar panels on the garage roof. Existing boundary planting would largely be retained and supplemented with new trees and soft landscaping.

Highways correspondence from Hampshire County Council shows pre‑application talks were held over a new access on Farleigh Lane, a national‑speed‑limit rural road that drops to 20mph towards Farleigh village. Speed surveys recorded typical speeds of around 40mph westbound and 34mph eastbound, and officers advised that long visibility splays and a hard‑surfaced, drained bellmouth would be needed; they concluded these are likely achievable within the applicant’s land or the public highway.

The consultants argue the borough’s housing land supply shortfall – most recently put at about 3.2 years – engages the national presumption in favour of sustainable development and that there would be no significant harm to landscape, neighbours, listed buildings or the nearby conservation area.

The application, reference 26/01054/FUL, can be viewed on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s online planning portal, where residents can submit comments during the consultation period.