A village built up over generations
Houses and farms in Fair Oak once stretched loosely from Crowdhill down to Horton Heath, and one former estate on that stretch, Fair Oak Lodge, began life as a sixteenth-century convent. St Thomas Church dates from the Victorian era, and the war memorial nearby is a familiar landmark for anyone who has spent time in the village.
Planning authority and parish
Fair Oak is covered by Eastleigh Borough Council, and for planning purposes it belongs to the joint parish of Fair Oak and Horton Heath, a merger of what used to be a separate Fair Oak parish council some decades back.
Newer estates and older plots
Some of Fair Oak's newer housing has gone up on former sand quarry land, with more recent estates spreading toward Horton Heath, so plot shapes and garden depths vary quite a bit between the older village core and these newer developments. It's worth an installer walking the actual plot first, since ground on reclaimed quarry land can behave differently to a typical garden.
Fair Oak's position near Eastleigh
Fair Oak lies just east of Eastleigh town, close enough that many residents treat the two as one continuous area for day-to-day errands and services.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fair Oak within a conservation area?+
No conservation area has been confirmed for Fair Oak on Eastleigh Borough Council's list, so that isn't a planning factor here.
Which council handles planning in Fair Oak?+
Eastleigh Borough Council, with Fair Oak sitting in the joint Fair Oak and Horton Heath parish.
How did Fair Oak get its name?+
It's said to come from an oak tree in the village square, under which an annual fair was held until the early twentieth century.
Nearby areas
Services
Useful local links
- Winchester City Council — Planning applications service for the Winchester district, covering Winchester itself along with Otterbourne, Colden Common, Fisher's Pond, Brambridge and Highbridge.
- Test Valley Borough Council — Planning applications service for Test Valley, covering Romsey, Chilworth, Ampfield and North Baddesley.
- Southampton City Council — Planning applications service for Southampton.
- Planning Portal — Independent, government-backed guidance on when a garden building needs planning permission and when it may fall under permitted development.