A different council entirely
Whitchurch sits within the Basingstoke and Deane borough rather than Test Valley or the City of Winchester, so planning applications and permitted development queries for a Whitchurch address go through Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, with Whitchurch Town Council acting as a statutory consultee on local applications.
A working silk mill on the Test
The town is home to Whitchurch Silk Mill, a Georgian building on the banks of the River Test that was built in 1815 and still houses a working waterwheel, giving the town a distinctive industrial-heritage character alongside its ordinary residential streets.
A neighbourhood plan shaping new development
Whitchurch has its own adopted Neighbourhood Development Plan, which sits alongside the wider Basingstoke and Deane local plan and guides how new housing and other development in the parish is approved.
Frequently asked questions
Is Whitchurch covered by Test Valley Borough Council?+
No. Despite being close to Test Valley towns like Andover, Whitchurch falls within the Basingstoke and Deane borough, so that council handles planning matters here.
Does Whitchurch have any particular planning rules to be aware of?+
The parish has its own adopted Neighbourhood Development Plan, so it's worth checking that alongside Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's usual planning guidance.
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.