Consultation on the future of Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School, Smannell, Andover

Following discussions between Hampshire County Council, Diocese of Winchester and the full Governing Body of the school a decision has been made to open an initial phase of consultation with you on the potential closure of Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School from Friday 13 February 2026. This consultation will run from Monday 13 October to Monday 10 November 2025.

Further information, including the reasons for this consultation, the scheduled drop-in information events and details on how you can comment can be found on the Hampshire County Council website at:

https://www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/smannell-and-enham-cofe-primary

The Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Lead Member, has approved a public consultation on the proposed closure of Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School from 13 February 2026. The Local Authority is required to follow Department for Education guidelines for any significant school changes, including closure. Further information and FAQs are available here:

https://documents.hants.gov.uk/consultation/SmannellandEnhamPrimary-FAQs.pdf

The Consultation

The purpose of this consultation is to seek the view of all stakeholders on the proposed closure of Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School from 13 February 2026. The decision-making process is outlined below:

This initial non-statutory consultation will run from Monday 13 October to Monday 10 November 2025, including a drop-in event, detailed below.

A report setting out the consultation responses received will be taken to the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services in November 2025 to decide if the proposal should continue to the statutory consultation stage.

If approved, a statutory Public Notice would be published for a period of four weeks during which representations can be made to the Local Authority. This will likely run from Friday 21 November to Friday 19 December 2025. If, at this stage, a decision is taken to proceed with the closure, a report would be taken to the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services for final approval.

How to take part in the consultation:

A drop-in event has been arranged and will provide an opportunity for parents/carers/stakeholders to raise their views directly with council officers.

The drop-in is to be held:

Monday 20 October 2025, 3pm to 6pm at Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School, Smannell, Andover, SP11 6JJ

Comments on the proposal can also be received by emailing strategicplanningunit@hants.gov.uk or by writing to:

Owain Hale-Heighway, Strategic Development Officer, Children’s Services Department, EII Court, Winchester, SO23 8UG by Monday 10 November 2025.

Enham Alamein Parish Council – Full Council Agenda 8 October 2025

The agenda for the Enham Alamein Parish Council meeting to be held on 8 October 2025 at the Landale Wilson Hall, Newbury Road, Enham Alamein, SP11 6HH starting at 18.30 hours has been published. You can access the agenda here. All members of the public are most welcome to attend.

Connect – Transport on Demand

July 2025 Minutes – Enham Alamein Parish Council

The Minutes of the Enham Alamein Parish Council July Full Council meeting held on 9 July 2025 are now available and can be viewed here.

Please be aware that the Minutes are not formally agreed and resolved by members until the September 2025 meeting of the Parish Council as there is NO August meeting.

Test Valley Borough Council Local Plan 2042 Revised Regulation 18 Public Consultation

Test Valley Borough Council is preparing the next Local Plan for the Borough and is now seeking comments on its draft Local Plan.

This draft Local Plan is at the Regulation 18 stage. Public consultation on a full draft Local Plan (Regulation 18 Stage 2), took place in early 2024 and identified how the Council were aiming to deliver its housing requirement. This was prepared in line with national planning policy and guidance in force at that time. Since then, the national planning policy position has significantly changed to reflect the Government’s ambition of increasing the delivery of housing both nationally and immediately with a target to build 1.5 million new homes across England over the current Parliament between 2024 and 2029. As a result of this, our housing requirement has been increased from 524 to 934 homes per year across the Borough, a 78% increase. This equates to a minimum of 15,878 homes to be delivered over the 17 year plan period from 2025-2042.

This has led to Test Valley Borough Council needing to revisit the Regulation 18 stage to identify how the Council is seeking to meet the Governments increase in housing need for Test Valley to safeguard against speculative development and to coordinate the delivery of the necessary infrastructure. This consultation document focuses solely on matters related to addressing our increase in housing needs, and any consequential changes, such as on employment needs, are explained.

Test Valley Borough Council is seeking your comments on how the Council is proposing to plan for all these homes. As the purpose of this consultation is very focussed, there are matters such as development management policies, where the Council’s position remains as set out in Regulation 18 Stage 2. Previous comments made on these matters will be considered to inform the next stage of the draft Local Plan (Regulation 19). When making comments on Revised Regulation 18, it may be helpful to reference policies in the Regulation 18 Stage 2 consultation, as relevant.

Consultation Process

The draft Local Plan 2042 Revised Regulation 18 will be out to public consultation for an 10-week period running from Friday 27th June 2025 to noon Friday 5th September 2025.

The documents are available on the Test Valley Borough Council website at www.testvalley.gov.uk/localplan2042

During the public consultation period, paper copies of the draft Local Plan 2042 will be available to view at the Council’s Offices (Beech Hurst, Andover and the Former Magistrates Court, Romsey) between the hours of 8.30am and 5pm on Monday to Thursday and 8.30am and 4.30pm on Fridays. Paper copies will also be available to view at libraries during their respective opening hours at Andover, Romsey, North Baddesley, Lordshill and Chandlers Ford.

If you are unable to access the consultation documents, please contact Test Valley Borough Council to discuss alternative arrangements.

Public Exhibitions

The following public exhibitions will be held during the public consultation and are opportunity to ask questions and view the draft Local Plan 2042.

East Anton Pavilion Ground, Sports Pavilion, East Anton Sports, off Pavilion Road, Andover, SP11 6XU

Monday 7 July 2025 – 3.30pm to 6.30pm

Valley Park Community Centre Pilgrims Close, Valley Park, Chandler’s Ford, SO53 4ST

Wednesday 9 July 2025 – 3.30pm to 6.30pm

Wellow Village Hall Buttons Lane, West Wellow, Romsey, SO51 6BR

Thursday 10 July 2025 – 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Grateley War Memorial Hall Station Road, Grateley, Andover, SP11 8LA

Thursday 10 July 2025 – 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Memorial Hall Andover Road, Ludgershall, Andover, SP11 9LZ

Monday 14 July 2025 – 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Barton Stacey Village Hall The Street, Barton Stacey, Winchester, SO21 3RH

Monday 14 July 2025 – 4.00pm to 6.00pm

Stockbridge Town Hall High Street, Stockbridge, SO20 6HE

Wednesday 16 July 2025 – 3.30pm to 6.30pm

North Baddesley Village Hall Botley Road, North Baddesley, Southampton, SO52 9DT

Tuesday 22 July 2025 – 3.30pm to 6.30pm

Weyhill Fairground Village Hall Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 0QN

Thursday 24 July 2025 – 3.45pm to 6.45pm

Abbotswood Community Centre 14 Abbotswood Common Road, Romsey, SO51 0BX

Tuesday 29 July 2025 – 3.30pm to 6.30pm

Nursling and Rownhams Village Hall Joe Bigwood Close, Nursling, Southampton, SO16 0YL

Wednesday 30 July 2025 – 3.30pm to 6.30pm

Upper Clatford Village Hall Village Street, Upper Clatford, Andover, SP11 7QL

Thursday 31 July 2025 – 3.30pm to 6.30pm

Broughton Village Hall High Street, Broughton, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8AX

Thursday 31 July 2025 – 4.00pm to 6.00pm

How to Comment

Comments on the draft Local Plan should either be:

Sent in writing to Planning Policy and Economic Development, Test Valley Borough Council, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3AJ, or
Emailed to planningpolicy@testvalley.gov.uk
Using the response form available at www.testvalley.gov.uk/localplan2042

Please provide your name and either a postal or email address. If you are responding on behalf of someone else, please also provide the name of the individual or organisation. Please note that emails are subject to a maximum 30Mb size limit, above which they will not be received.

Only those representations that are made in writing and arrive (in either hard copy or electronically) within the 10-week period between Friday 27th June 2025 and ending at noon on Friday 5th September 2025 will have the right to have their representations considered.

If you respond to this consultation, Test Valley Borough Council will keep you informed of future consultation stages unless you advise them that you want to opt out of such communication.

Please note that representations cannot be treated as confidential. If you are responding as an individual, rather than as an organisation, Test Valley Borough Council will not publish your contact details (email/ postal address and telephone number) or signatures online, however the original representations will be available for public viewing at the Test Valley Borough Council offices by prior appointment. All representations and related documents will be held by the Test Valley Borough Council until the Local Plan 2042 is adopted and the Judicial Review period has closed and will then be securely destroyed.

Test Valley Borough Council respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. Further details on the General Data Protection Regulation and Privacy Notices are available on their website http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/aboutyourcouncil/accesstoinformation/gdpr

For further information on the Local Plan public consultation, please do contact the Planning Policy and Economic Development Service on 01264 368000 or via email at planningpolicy@testvalley.gov.uk

Help Shape the Future of Local Government in Hampshire

Help Shape the Future of Local Government in Hampshire

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) is working with eleven other authorities across Hampshire and the Solent to transform local government.

The changes are in response to the government’s request for councils across England to look at how local government is organised.

The 12 councils have launched a survey for residents to inform the biggest change to local government in 50 years. They want you to share what matters most to you in your area and help shape how local councils provide services in future, so they reflect real places, local identity and culture, priorities, and people.

Take the survey now

More information, including the survey, is available at https://ourplaceourfuture.commonplace.is/

The survey is live until MIDNIGHT on Sunday 27 July 2025 and takes 10 minutes to complete!

What’s happening in Hampshire and what is local government reorganisation?

In Hampshire, in line with the government’s ask, the proposal is to move away from the current ‘two-tier’ council structure currently in place in most of the county. This will be replaced a number of unitary authorities, which will provide all council services for the area they cover, from waste collection to road maintenance to adult social care. 

Test Valley Borough Council has been working with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hart District Council, Havant Borough Council, Isle of Wight Council, New Forest District Council, Portsmouth City Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Southampton City Council, and Winchester City Council, to develop options that would work best for residents, businesses and the wider community.

What are the options?

The 12 councils are working together on options for reorganisation that build on what makes our communities unique, while making services more efficient and future-proof.

They are considering options to replace the current 15 councils with four new councils on the mainland, and keep the Isle of Wight as it is. They believe this would allow for councils that are big enough to deliver well, but local enough to understand their communities and their needs. 

Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council are working together to develop their own options, and they will be asking residents for feedback on their proposals separately.

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said: “While this is a government decision and not a path we would choose to be travelling, our focus is firmly on making sure that we put our weight behind achieving the very best outcome for Test Valley and beyond. This is the biggest change to local government in a generation and we want our communities’ needs and aspirations to be firmly at the heart of these proposals.

“It is absolutely vital, therefore, that our residents share their feedback on the options, what they really value and how any changes might impact them. Our collective preference for four mainland unitary authorities is based on making sure decisions are made as close as possible to the communities they affect. But we also know from seeing so many of the larger councils really struggling financially, that bigger is often not better in local government terms.

“In Test Valley, we are also running some more in-depth engagement with our residents to really get under the skin of people’s experiences of, and connections to, their local area, as well as their challenges and priorities. They will also seek to understand citizens’ needs and aspirations for their local council in the future.

“If you live or work in Test Valley then I would urge you to complete the survey and share it with your family, friends and colleagues to ensure that as many voices are heard as possible.”

Deputy leader of the opposition, Cllr Sandra Gidley, said: “There is no getting away from the fact that the changes to local government will be significant, so it is critical that our communities are part of the process to shape the future. That is why all councillors are working together to make sure that our residents are heard, so we can do everything in our power to secure the very best outcome for the people of Test Valley.”

Take the survey

Planning Application 25/01453/TPON – Shanghai Homestead, 11 Newbury Road, Enham Alamein, Andover, Hampshire.

A tree application has been received for T17 Hornbeam – Lift and reduce branches growing over and towards carport of Shanghai Homestead to provide 2m clearance,Removal of lowest lateral limb growing towards entrance to sensory gardens and localised reduction of overextended limbs growing over driveway of Linlithgow House by up to 3m at Shanghai Homestead, 11 Newbury Road Enham Alamein, Andover, Hampshire.

The deadline for return of any comments to Test Valley Borough Council (Planning Authority) is 23 July 2025. You can email your comments quoting the reference number of 25/01453/TPON to planning@testvalley.gov.uk

You can view the application here and enter 25/01453/TPON as the reference number.

Enham Alamein Parish Council – Full Council Agenda 9 July 2025

The agenda for the Enham Alamein Parish Council meeting to be held on 9 July 2025 at the Landale Wilson Hall, Newbury Road, Enham Alamein, SP11 6HH starting at 18.00 hours has been published. You can access the agenda here. All members of the public are most welcome to attend.