Major new green space planned for former pig farm in Wellow
Test Valley Borough Council, in partnership with the Solent Mitigation Partnership, has taken an important step towards creating a new, accessible green space for local people after securing £2.7 million of government funding to buy land at Woodington Farm, Wellow.
The funding will enable the purchase of 44.5 hectares of land on the banks of the River Blackwater. Around 34 hectares will become a new Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), giving people more places to walk and enjoy nature while helping to protect the New Forest’s internationally important habitats.
One of the site’s primary purposes will be to provide nutrient mitigation, a national planning requirement that ensures new housing developments do not increase nutrient pollution in protected bodies of water, such as The Solent.
The project is being delivered in partnership with the Solent Mitigation Partnership, which was set up in early 2024 through the Partnership for South Hampshire. The group brings councils together to support sustainable growth and coordinate environmental work across the region.
The council plans to restore the land, which was previously used as a pig farm, by creating new habitats, planting trees, and improving biodiversity. The project will also include new walking routes, fencing, gates, wayfinding and information boards, with the works being funded through developer contributions.
The site will link to the existing rights of way network, giving people better access to the countryside.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North said: “This is a huge opportunity for Wellow and the wider borough. We’re creating new space for people to enjoy, improving local habitats, and supporting the delivery of new homes in a responsible and sustainable way. Working with the Solent Mitigation Partnership has enabled us to bring forward a project that delivers real benefits for our environment and our communities.”
Cllr Alison Johnston, portfolio holder for Climate Emergency, added: “This project is a real boost for our natural environment. By restoring the land, planting new trees and creating richer habitats, we’re helping nature recover and strengthening our response to the climate emergency. It’s a long-term investment in the borough’s landscape and our shared future.”
Cllr Keith House, Chair of the Partnership for South Hampshire, which oversees the Solent Mitigation Partnership, said: “This project with Test Valley Borough Council is an excellent example of how the Solent Mitigation Partnership is working with individual councils to deliver practical, locally focused solutions. By investing in land at Woodington Farm, we can support Test Valley’s growth ambitions while ensuring new development does not increase nutrient pollution in protected waters. At the same time, this scheme will create valuable new green space and long-term benefits for wildlife and local communities.”
For more information about the Solent Mitigation Partnership visit www.solentmitigationpartnership.co.uk.