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Test Valley Council Investigates Unauthorized Demolition of 300-Year-Old Cottage

Council officials have launched an investigation into the demolition of the thatched Wychwood Cottage without notice to determine whether enforcement or restoration orders are warranted.

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Overview

  • Wychwood Cottage, a 17th-century thatched building in Nursling, was razed in under an hour earlier this month without any planning consent.
  • Test Valley Borough Council confirmed the cottage was not listed and said it received no prior notification of demolition plans.
  • The council has opened a formal probe and is in contact with the current owners to assess compliance with planning regulations.
  • A 2022 approval for a new dwelling on adjacent land did not cover demolition and no work has begun on that project.
  • Residents who believed the cottage to be a listed landmark have expressed shock and urged the council to hold those responsible to account