A village built around a garden
The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens cover around 180 acres between Ampfield and the neighbouring village of Braishfield, founded by the nurseryman Harold Hillier in the 1950s and later given to Hampshire County Council to run as a charitable trust. It's one of the larger plant collections in the country, and it makes Ampfield an unusually garden-literate place to live.
A small village with room to plan
Ampfield itself is a small village, and properties here often back onto more open countryside than homes in the larger towns nearby, which can give more flexibility when siting a garden room away from overlooking neighbours.
Test Valley Borough Council covers planning
Ampfield falls under Test Valley Borough Council, the same authority as Romsey, so the same permitted development guidance applies here as it does closer to town.
Frequently asked questions
Does living near the Hillier Gardens affect planning for a garden room?+
Not directly — the Gardens themselves are a separate charitable trust site, but it's still worth checking whether your specific property sits within any wider countryside or landscape designation before finalising a design.
Which council covers Ampfield?+
Test Valley Borough Council, the same authority that covers Romsey.
Nearby areas
Services
Useful local links
- Test Valley Borough Council — Planning Permission and Pre-Application Advice — The local planning authority for Romsey and most of the surrounding villages covered by this site.
- New Forest District Council — Planning Guidance for Householders — Covers Totton, Testwood and Calmore for planning purposes.
- Southampton City Council — Planning Permission — The separate unitary authority covering the city of Southampton.
- New Forest National Park Authority — Planning — The local planning authority for land within the New Forest National Park, including Copythorne and Newbridge.
- Planning Portal — Outbuildings — National guidance on permitted development for garden buildings.