The Local Plan, site HS3
HS3: Former Westerleigh School
- For
- Residential
- Minimum Indicative Capacity (net additional dwellings)
- 100
- Site area
- 2.15 hectares
- Density
- 45-55 dwellings per hectare
- SHELAA reference
- HL10
What the plan says about it
Former Westerleigh School provides an opportunity for redevelopment of the former school site.
The topography of the land, the existing mature trees within the site and important nature conservation issues will need to be explored in any scheme that is put forward for this site.
The rest of the plan's explanation (2 more paragraphs)
The site, given its size and location, will be expected to support a varied housing mix and affordable housing will also be required. Of particular importance for this site will be measures to reduce surface water flood risk, and Sustainable Drainage Systems are likely to be required. Connections between the green space protected on site and those existing green spaces off site will also need to be shown on any application to ensure the conservation and enhancement of the green infrastructure network.
The site will require vehicular access to the site that is developed to an adoptable standard. The potential vehicular access does not need to follow the line of the existing road and can consider land to the south of the existing access.
What a planning application here would have to do
- Provide affordable housing requirement in line with Policy SP2
- Be informed by slope stability reports and a geotechnical report due to the site topography
- Maintain existing green corridors or replace them with comparative new green corridors
- Be supported by an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and include an Ecological Constraints and Opportunities Plan (ECOP) and incorporate appropriate conservation and mitigation measures as recommended by the EcIA. The ECOP must make specific reference to surveys of the site itself and to other nearby areas of wildlife sensitivity.
- Construct vehicular access to the site to an adoptable standard
- Include walking and cycling links to improve local connectivity, including to local community infrastructure, green spaces and public transport provision, taking into account site topography
- Take account of Southern Water's underground infrastructure in the design of the layout of the site. Easements would be required, which may affect the site layout or require diversion, and these should be clear of all proposed buildings and tree planting
- Provide an Arboriculture Plan that demonstrates how existing trees and proposed new trees on the site will be integrated into the development.
What people said in the spring
In the spring 2026 consultation on the draft plan (called Regulation 18), 6 comments were made on this site: 2 objections, 1 in support and 3 other comments.
How to comment
The council hasn't opened the six weeks for comments yet, as far as we can see. When it does, the dates and how to respond will be on our Local Plan page and on the council's own ↗.
Other council papers that mention it
- Appendix 3-2026 Consultation Report Final for Cabinet 26082026 Redacted ↗
Cabinet, Mon 7 Sep 2026
“HS3: Former Westerleigh School 1. Density, 2.”