Proposed Development at Firgrove Farm
Berkeley Homes have submitted an outline hybrid planning application for building 300 homes on Firgrove Farm in 2 phases.
This application and be viewed online using reference number: 26/00145/OUT and all the documents can be found online here.
Why is this of concern?
Our greenbelt land provides a space for nature to thrive. This is so important when the UK is one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries, with on average about half its biodiversity left.
Hart District Council says it’s vital to protect, manage and restore natural habitats, for example, increasing the amount of green cover and open spaces can help to combat the effects of climate change by providing natural cooling of air and surfaces. So why has their Planning department made a decision which potentially goes against this policy and against previous planning decisions they have made in respect of the green gap?
The places people live have a huge influence on the quality of their lives and health and wellbeing. Homes should provide them with access to everything they need for a good quality of life. They need to be in sustainable locations where people can live and work. They need robust infrastructure, such as good medical facilities, schools, reliable and frequent public transport, a range of local affordable shops and places to socialise with residents and friends.
Latest Updates
with the most recent at the top!
9. Councillors vote to refuse
On 16 September, Hart’s planning officers recommended approval. We spoke against the application on the community’s behalf – thank you to everyone who came along to support us. Councillors voted by 9 votes to 0, with one abstention, to refuse permission. They decided that the harm to the setting of listed buildings, including Firgrove Manor and Firgrove Farm Cottage, was not outweighed by the scheme’s benefits.
Hart had to refer its decision to the Secretary of State, who could have taken it out of Hart’s hands. We wrote to her, giving reasons why this application should be handled locally and on the 6 October her department notified us that the Government has decided not to determine it, so the decision stays with Hart. Her letter says nothing about the merits of the scheme. Hart can now issue its decision and the developer can then appeal and/or issue a new application or sell or mothball this site. We are preparing for the next stages.
8. We have submitted our objection
We have filed our further objection to the proposed development of up to 300-home and SANG on this sensitive site, following the filing of hundreds of pages of revised documents on behalf of the developer, Berkley Homes. The main threads of our objection focus on flooding, threats to local nature and biodiversity and local listed buildings, road safety and congestion, and the failure to properly account for cumulative impacts alongside concurrent local proposals. Our full objection can be viewed on the Hart District Council planning portal under ref. 26/00145/OUT. This application may be heard at the Hart DC Development Management Committee on 16th September and we would like as many people as possible to attend to show our collective opposition. Follow our Facebook page for more information.
7. How to comment on the Firgrove Farm Planning Application
Now that the hybrid planning application has been submitted by Berkeley Homes for up to 300 residential units on Firgrove Farm land we acknowledge the significant challenge of trying to read, understand and analyse the large number of reports and technical documents and consultee responses within the short consultation period during which to respond to this consultation. We too are struggling both with the volume of documents and their technical complexity.
We have produced a guide simply to provide points you may wish to consider when making your comments on the above planning application. It is not intended to tell you what to say in your comments. Our goal is simply to help you navigate this complex information, so you can express your own views as effectively as possible.
Please note that we are currently working hard to analyse all of these documents, as well as monitoring the many statutory consultee comments as they are published. Due to the high volume of documents and the large number of residents we are sending this guide to, we are unfortunately unable to answer individual queries on this guide or on the application itself.
Why your comment matters
Hart District Council must take account of all written planning comments. The number of objections and the clarity of the planning concerns raised will determine how much weight is given to local views.
Key points covered in the guide:
- The “Double Whammy”: How to argue against the combined impact of this site alongside other local developments.
- The SANG “Tranquillity” Test: Why a country park under a flight path and next to a kart track fails legal requirements for a peaceful space.
- Heritage & Setting: Protecting the rural character surrounding our Grade II (Firgrove Farm House, Granary & Firgrove Farm Cottage ) and II* (Firgrove Manor) listed buildings.
- Infrastructure & Flooding: Using your first-hand evidence of local road safety and standing water.
How to use the guide
The guide includes a Simple Structure for Your Comment and a Checklist to help you draft your response.
Important Tip: If submitting via the online portal, please write your comments in a separate document first and then copy/paste them, as the website times out after 30 minutes.
Please take a moment to read the guide and submit your comments to Hart District Council as soon as possible, but by the extended deadline of the 6th March at the latest. Every voice counts in shaping the future of Yateley and Eversley
6. Yateley/Eversley Green Gap Survey Report
Here is the full report detailing the reponses given to the Green Gap Survey available to the community in the summer of 2025.
Please click on the 4 arrow icon underneath the document which will enlarge it and make it easier for you to read.
5. Yateley/Eversley Green Gap Survey – comments
There were a great many comments made by people completing the Green Gap Survey. These have been extracted from the q&a data, and we have created a separate document for the public to read in its entirety….
Please click on the 4 arrow icon underneath the document which will enlarge it and make it easier for you to read.
4. Yateley/Eversley Green Gap Survey
The Green Gap Survey has been available on the Yateley Society website for the last few weeks – initially the plan was to take it down on the 16th June, but the decision was taken to extend it until the 7th July to allow those who attended the Berkley Homes’ meetings an opportunity to lodge their views.
The survey has now been withdrawn from our website – and the massive task of processing the data and producing an “easy to read” report of the 1870 responses now begins. This report will be a genuine reflection of the results and will not be manipulated in any way.
Once the report has been produced it will be publicly shared. More details to follow…
3. Public Meeting
On Thursday 5th June at 7pm we held a public meeting at the Main Hall of Yateley School. This gave us the opportunity to share what is happening, the plan moving forward and how you can get involved. In essence the proposed number of new developments in Eversley will effectively double the size of Eversley – the impact to nature, the current sewage system and the ability for the current infrustructure to cope, leaves us very concerned if these projects all go ahead.
Read the presentation given below….
2. Survey residents’ reactions to this proposed development
We are keen to get the views of as many people as possible in the community. Please take three minutes to complete this survey so that your voice is heard…
1. Initial response from The Yateley Society
This is the letter sent on the 13th May as our response to the proposed project.
