Housebuilder Bargate has submitted an Outline planning application for up to 60 homes in the Hampshire village of Braishfield, on the outskirts of Romsey. The 4.5 Ha (11.1-acre) site benefits from a draft allocation and would deliver a highly sustainable residential development, within a short walk of the village centre.
Underutilised as arable land, the prime site is off Braishfield Road, but currently inaccessible to the public. The Wheatsheaf Inn, Braishfield Primary School and Social Club are opposite, with existing residential properties lying adjacent. Braishfield is located directly north of Romsey, 12 miles north of Southampton, 13 miles west of Winchester and 18 miles east of Salisbury, which are all connected by an established public transport and road network.
The site is next to Braishfield Conservation Area, which has been a key consideration for the scheme design, alongside the Parish of Braishfield Village Design Statement. A multi-functional green space will be created on site to provide opportunities for recreational activities and play. New footpaths will also be installed, together with a surface water drainage system. The extensive provision of open space would make a positive contribution to the adjacent woodland and deliver biodiversity enhancements for the betterment of wildlife and habitats.
40% of the homes would be allocated for affordable housing, to be delivered through Bargate’s parent company VIVID. Master Land and Planning and multi-disciplinary firm Mosaic Urban Design have worked alongside Bargate and its wider team to undertake extensive pre-application discussions with Test Valley Borough Council. A public consultation event has also taken place to gather feedback from local people about the plans.
Mark White, managing director of Bargate, said: “We are excited about the opportunity to create a quality family-orientated development in Braishfield. With the village centre opposite, this site is ideally located to help facilitate sustainable growth for this popular neighbourhood and deliver much-needed energy-efficient new homes.
“This scheme would significantly add to the housing mix in the immediate area, while also providing high-quality green infrastructure, including landscaping and new play areas for the enjoyment of the whole community. Bird, bat and insect boxes, provision for extensive rewilding and habitat creation are also included within our Outline planning application.
“We look forward to working alongside Test Valley’s Officers, Councillors and consultees while the application is being considered.”
Bargate’s plans for the land west of Braishfield Road include a mix of one- to four-bedroom homes. A number of the house designs will feature garages, with parking generally provided on-plot. Additional visitor parking is incorporated within the indicative site plan.
All homes would be built to a high EPC rating and include green technologies as standard, such as solar PV panels, air source heat pumps and EV charging points. The material palette for the homes will reflect the local built form.
Existing vegetation bounds all sides of the site. Hedgerows would be retained and enhanced with additional tree planting. Bargate also proposes planting a wildflower meadow and grassland to provide new habitats for invertebrates, and thus foraging habitats for both bats and birds.
Established in 2006, Bargate is a regional housebuilder operating across the South, headquartered in Fair Oak. Bargate received a five-star rating in the 2025 Home Builders Federation (HBF) Customer Satisfaction Survey, whilst delivering 250 homes and its highest turnover for the 2024/5 financial year.