The Development Management Committee of Rushmoor Council met on Wednesday 17 June 2026 to discuss several planning applications and review the performance of the Development Management Section. The committee resolved to grant outline planning permission for a significant redevelopment of Cody Technology Park and Ball Hill, subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and conditions. They also noted the current position on several other planning applications pending future consideration and received a summary report on the section's performance indicators for the first quarter of 2026.

Planning Applications

The committee considered a major outline planning application for the redevelopment of Land at Cody Technology Park and Ball Hill, Ively Road, Farnborough. The proposal involves the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of new flexible use employment floorspace, including for data centres, with all matters except access reserved for future consideration.

Decision: The committee resolved to grant outline planning permission, subject to the prior completion of a Section 106 legal agreement and the imposition of conditions as detailed in the report. This agreement will secure various contributions and undertakings, including active travel funding, off-site highway improvements, on-site bus stop upgrades, a bus shuttle service, biodiversity net gain management, and the continuation of obligations related to the Cody Tree monument and the Ball Hill Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Numerous conditions were also attached, covering aspects such as timescales for reserved matters applications, overall biodiversity net gain plans, detailed reserved matters submissions, construction traffic management, operational management, demolition/construction hours, environmental management plans, surface water drainage, tree protection, SPA visitor disturbance management, bat surveys, reptile translocation, noise emission controls, and sustainability measures.

The report detailed extensive consultation responses, including from Hampshire County Council Highways, National Highways, the Environment Agency, Natural England, and Farnborough Airport. Significant concerns were raised by Farnborough Airport regarding highway access, cumulative impacts, drainage, and aviation safeguarding, to which the applicants provided detailed responses. The application was also subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which was deemed to have met the necessary legal requirements.

The committee also noted the current position on several other planning applications that are pending future consideration:

• 21/00271/FULPP: Block 3, Queensmead, Farnborough
• 23/00713/FUL: Manor Park Cottage, St Georges Road East, Aldershot
• 23/00794/REVPP: Farnborough Airport, Farnborough Road, Farnborough
• 24/00237/FUL: Nos. 235-237 High Street, Aldershot
• 25/00615/REV: Farnborough Airport, Farnborough Road, Farnborough
• 26/00181/FULPP: Site of Former Geneva House, No.1 Gladiator Way, Farnborough
• 26/00182/FULPP: Warwick House, Lakeside Road, Farnborough
• 26/00211/REVPP: No.1 North Close, Aldershot

Planning (Development Management) Summary Report

The committee received Report No. PG2612, providing an update on the performance indicators and workload for the Development Management Section for the period January to March 2026 (Q4).

The report detailed the determination rates for major, minor, and other planning applications, noting that performance targets were generally met or exceeded, with a high percentage of applications determined within statutory or agreed timescales. It also provided figures for appeals submitted and allowed, and an overview of the section's workload, including pre-application cases and enforcement actions. The income received from planning fees and pre-application advice for the financial year 2025-2026 was also presented, showing a shortfall against the budget estimate. Information on Section 106 contributions received during the fourth quarter was also provided.

The report concluded with a recommendation that the information be noted.