Strategies and Policy Statement

Biodiversity encompasses all living things, including both rare and common species.  Test Valley has a wide range of habitats and species, some of which are of international importance.

The Biodiversity Action Plan provides a framework for the maintenance and enhancement of the biodiversity of the Borough.  The document includes actions for a number of organisations operating within Test Valley.

The Forest Park is a proposed allocation through the adopted Local Plan (policy LHW3). The purpose of the framework is to set out the approach for bringing forward the Forest Park proposal as a green infrastructure asset for south Hampshire within and beyond the plan period of 2029.

This document was subject to public consultation from 24 January to 7 March 2014. Having taken account of comments received, the Council’s Cabinet approved the Forest Park Implementation Framework on the 29 October 2014.

Forest Park Implementation Framework October 2014 (pdf, 1.6mb)

Green space is an integral element of the infrastructure which supports people's quality of life.

The purpose of the Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy is to set out an approach to maintain existing GI and to enhance it.  It seeks to provide a framework for bringing together the work of a number of organisations who have an interest in and responsibilities for GI. The document also provides supporting evidence to the Revised Local Plan.

Following six weeks consultation from 24th January - 7th March 2014 the cabinet on the 16th July 2014 approved the Green infrastructure strategy.

Green Infrastructure Strategy (2014 - 2019) (pdf, 2.3mb)

The Partnership Plan for the New Forest National Park (as statutory Management Plan) helps to guide the work of those with responsibilities or an interest in this designation. It sets out a series of priority actions for the period 2022-2027. It was prepared by the national park authority, in liaison with partner organisations.

https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/conservation/partnership-plan/partnership-plan-2021-2026/

The Council has endorsed the North Solent Shoreline Management Plan, which provides the strategic policy approach for the management of the coast between Hurst Spit and Selsey Bill. The North Solent Shoreline Management Plan is not a planning document but may be a material consideration.

The North Wessex Downs AONB covers part of the Borough, to the north of Andover. The statutory Management Plan, prepared jointly by partner organisations (including the Council), sets out objectives, policies and priorities to take into account and apply to help conserve and enhance this nationally important landscape.

The Council's Public Art Strategy provides a framework for future commission of public art in the Borough and help to ensure high quality art projects that benefit communities in Test Valley.

The Council has prepared a Planning Guidance Note for the Walworth Business Park,  including land to the east allocated as an extension. The broad principles apply to all business parks and industrial estates and all other employment sites and premises throughout the Borough.

It sets guidance on the control of charges of use of land premises and set out the process and justification needed in order to comply with relevant planning policies. It was approved by the Cabinet on 17 February 2010.

The Council is actively progressing a long term strategy to rejuvenate the Walworth Business Park through a joint venture arrangement with a private sector partner.

The Council has prepared Walworth Extension Land Planning Position Statement which was approved at Cabinet on 20th May 2015. The purpose of this statement is to help inform future development proposals on the allocated land to the east of Walworth Business Park, Andover.