Home to a radio and weather observatory
Chilbolton Observatory sits on the site of a disused RAF airfield next to the village, operated by a national scientific research body rather than any local business, and its large steerable radar dish is a distinctive landmark visible for some distance around.
Part of the Test Valley district
Chilbolton falls within Test Valley, so applications here are decided by the borough's own planning service, the same as neighbouring Wherwell and Stockbridge.
Open countryside around the village
Away from the observatory site, Chilbolton is surrounded by open farmland and chalk downland typical of the upper Test valley, with more rural, larger plots than in the busier villages closer to Winchester.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs Chilbolton Observatory?+
It's operated by a national scientific research organisation rather than the local council, and sits on the site of a former RAF airfield next to the village.
Which council covers planning in Chilbolton?+
Test Valley Borough Council covers Chilbolton, the same authority responsible for nearby Stockbridge and Wherwell.
Nearby areas
Services
Useful local links
- Winchester City Council – Do I need planning permission — Winchester City Council's guidance on when planning permission is required for householder projects, including outbuildings.
- Winchester City Council – Check if you are within the South Downs National Park — A tool to check whether a specific address falls within the South Downs National Park boundary, which changes the relevant planning authority.
- Winchester City Council – Building control — Winchester City Council's building control service, relevant to groundwork and services for larger garden buildings.
- Planning Portal – Outbuildings — National guidance on permitted development rules for garden buildings and outbuildings, including height and coverage limits.
- South Downs National Park Authority – Planning applications — The planning authority for addresses that fall within the South Downs National Park boundary, including parts of the villages east of Winchester.
- Test Valley Borough Council – Planning permission and pre-application advice — The relevant planning authority for Stockbridge, which sits within the Test Valley district rather than Winchester.