Plans to bring 130 new homes and a large new country park to Overton, Hampshire, have been given the green light at appeal by the Planning Inspectorate.
Hampshire-based housebuilder, Bargate, will transform the 19-hectare site west of Sapley Lane into a new neighbourhood, with nearly 80% of the land dedicated to green open space. The approved scheme will not only deliver much-needed housing but also a vast 15-hectare country park for the benefit of the whole community.
The homes will be a mix of styles and sizes, providing opportunities for first-time buyers, families, downsizers and those looking to stay close to loved ones in the village. To ensure that local people have genuine opportunities to access housing in the area, up to 40% of the homes will be affordable and delivered by VIVID, the parent company of Bargate, and Hampshire’s largest not-for-profit provider of affordable homes.
The country park is set to become a landmark feature for Overton, with proposals including natural play areas, seating and picnic spots, native planting and areas of rewilding to boost local wildlife. The site will achieve a biodiversity net gain of over 100%, far exceeding national requirements. Designed as a multifunctional green space, it will offer residents and visitors space to relax, exercise and connect with nature, while also serving as a learning resource for local schools.
All of the new homes will be built to the latest sustainability standards, designed to be zero-carbon ready. Features will include air-source heat pumps, solar PV panels and electric vehicle charging points to help residents reduce both energy costs and environmental impact
Mark White, managing director of Bargate, said: “We are very pleased that our plans for Overton have finally been approved. This development will bring much-needed new homes of all tenures to the village, while ensuring that the majority of the site is given back to the community in the form of a beautiful country park. Our vision is to create a space that not only provides high-quality, sustainable housing, but also enhances the environment and delivers a lasting benefit for residents of Overton. The country park will be a fantastic asset – a place to exercise, to play, to enjoy nature and to come together as a community.”
The development sits within a highly sustainable location, with shops, allotments, playing fields, a doctor’s surgery and the local primary school all within easy walking distance. Overton railway station is just a short cycle away, with frequent connections to Basingstoke, Salisbury, Exeter and London Waterloo in under an hour. The site also benefits from a nearby bus stop and direct access to the A303 and A34 for wider travel.
Following a refusal from Basingstoke and Deane’s planning committee in September 2025, the scheme was appealed, with a public inquiry heard in March 2026. Despite the Council’s concerns over landscape, the Inspector determined the landscape harm was localised, and the Council’s persistent under delivery of housing, lack of housing land supply, and the benefits provided by the creation of new affordable housing, a new country park and environmental benefits “overwhelmingly outweigh the harm.”
A Reserved Matters application, covering the detailed design of the proposed scheme, will be prepared by Bargate and the firm’s consultant team for submission later in the year.
For further information about Bargate and its developments, visit www.bargatehomes.co.uk.
