Close to the Forest, but a different council
It would be easy to assume West Wellow falls under the New Forest authorities given how close it sits to the Forest boundary, but the village is actually part of the Test Valley district, sharing a parish council with the neighbouring village of East Wellow. There's no formal division between the two Wellows, though people often refer to them separately.
A growing parish
The combined Wellow parish recorded a population of over three thousand at the most recent census, making it a reasonably sized community rather than a tiny hamlet, with a proper mix of older and more recently built housing.
Test Valley planning applies here
Because West Wellow is administered by Test Valley Borough Council rather than the New Forest authorities, the planning guidance and permitted development rules are the same as those covering Romsey itself, despite the village's proximity to the Forest.
Frequently asked questions
Is West Wellow inside the New Forest National Park?+
No — despite sitting close to the Forest boundary, West Wellow is administered by Test Valley Borough Council, not the New Forest District Council or the New Forest National Park Authority.
Are West Wellow and East Wellow the same for planning purposes?+
They share the same parish council and fall under the same borough council, so planning guidance is consistent across both parts of the village.
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.