One of the best aspects of the Parliamentary Recess is the opportunity to get out and about in the constituency, enjoying the very best the Test Valley has to offer. During August I made time to go and visit the National Trust at Mottisfont Abbey, and had a long conversation about what the new Government's proposals on planning might mean for sustainability.
We are lucky to have the world renowned River Test running through the valley, with the finest chalk stream in the world providing much of our water. The prospect of a 50% uplift in housing numbers in Test Valley provokes some interesting question about where the water supply all those properties may come from. Abstraction from the Test is already at unsustainable levels, albeit the river is currently running at a level 15% higher than average. But I don't need to highlight that 2024 has been an exceptionally wet year.
It was great to see at Mottisfont the effort the Trust has put in to restoring the bank to the condition it would have been in when FM Halford pioneered the dry fly technique on the bank of the Oakley beat. There were lots of wild brown trout visible in the river on Wednesday, although closer to the visitor centre and entrance there was more evidence of some whopping stocked trout. I am clearly getting my eye in at spotting the difference
Returning to the issue of planning there is currently a consultation open on the Government's proposals on planning reforms, which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-reforms-to-the-national-planning-policy-framework-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system
The closing date for comments is 24th September and I would urge constituents to take the time to submit their views. We are fortunate to live in the most beautiful part of the country and it is crucial for local people to be able to express their opinions and have a say in the process.
Inevitably there is a lot coming up in the diary locally including the Broughton Art exhibition which starts this weekend. It is now the single biggest exhibition under the Hampshire Open Arts event and over 60 artists participating. I am looking forward to popping in over the weekend and also getting to a number of other events as part of the Hampshire festival.