What was once a peaceful and picturesque corner of Nursling, near Southampton, turned into a scene of disbelief for villagers this past weekend.
In the space of just one hour, a centuries-old thatched cottage — one that had stood proudly for 300 years — was suddenly reduced to rubble.
And the twist? It was demolished without any planning permission.
A Piece of Local History Wiped Away
The cottage, a beautiful 17th-century two-bedroom home, was more than just a house.
Locals say it was a symbol of their village — even gracing the front cover of a local history book.
It wasn’t listed, but many assumed it was protected because of its age and historical charm.
Now, Test Valley Borough Council has launched a full investigation after confirming they were never informed about the demolition.
And the reaction from the community? Utter shock.
“It Was Gone in an Hour”
Long-time village resident Lawrence Harfield, 71, summed up what many were feeling: stunned and saddened.
“At first, we thought they were just fixing up the roof — re-thatching it or something,” Harfield shared.
“But then, out of nowhere, a JCB turned up and the whole thing came down. Just like that — gone in an hour.”
He added, “It was the hallmark of the village.
I’ve got so many pictures of it over the years, even in the snow. We all thought it was listed.
I really hope the council makes them rebuild it exactly as it was.”
The Planning Confusion
According to records, the last planning application tied to the site dates back to 2022.
That application requested permission to build a new home on the land next to the cottage, and while that was approved, no construction has happened yet.
There was no indication that the original cottage was going to be knocked down — let alone so suddenly.
Councillor Phil Bundy, the planning portfolio holder for Test Valley Borough Council, addressed the issue, stating:
“I was made aware on Sunday evening that Wychwood Cottage had been demolished at the weekend.
The council had not been notified of this work in advance.”
He added that the council is now working to find out whether proper planning procedures were followed and has reached out to the property owners for an explanation.
A Deep Sense of Loss in the Community
Residents of Nursling, where homes go for an average of £420,000, say the demolition has left a painful mark.
One local resident said, “I always thought that cottage would be here forever.
I’ve got a history book at home all about Nursling, and that cottage is literally on the front cover.
That just shows how important it was to this area.”
They continued, “It’s a real loss — not just of a building, but of something that meant something to all of us. It was a beautiful little cottage.”