OVERTON DS 2/2/02 12:47 PM Page 1

OvertonOverton Village Design Statement

A.D. 2002 OVERTON DS 2/2/02 12:47 PM Page 2

CONTENTS

3 Introduction

What the VDS is – aims and objectives

4 The Village Context

Geographical and historical aspects Community aspects Overton Mill Affordable housing Community guidelines Business and employment Entering the village from Basingstoke down Overton Hill Business guidelines

8 Landscape and Environment

The visual character of the surrounding landscape Areas of special designation Landscape and environment design guidelines

14 Settlement and Transport Patterns

Village settlement patterns Transport patterns and character of streets and routes through the village Winchester Street Settlement and transport guidelines

17 Open Spaces within the Village

Character and pattern of open spaces within the village Recreational facilities The Test Valley. Access to the River Test Open spaces guidelines

20 The Built Environment

Areas of distinctive building types Sizes, styles and types of buildings Sustainability and environmental issues Built Environment guidelines Town Mill, converted and extended to provide retirement flats 24 Other Features

Walls and plot boundaries, trees, street furniture, rights of way, light pollution, ‘green tunnels’, overhead lines, shop fronts. Guidelines

27 What the children say 28 References and acknowledgements

Cover picture: flying north over our village in 2001 Leaving the village by the B 3400 at Southington

Unediited comments lliifted from the questiionnaiires...... “The ffeelliing tthatt Overtton has – tthe reall villllage communitty..”

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INTRODUCTION

What is the Village Design Statement?

Overton’s Village Design Statement is a document which aims to record the characteristics, natural and man made, which are seen by the local community Guidelines relate to large and small, old as contributing to the area’s and new distinctiveness. Above: In order to be effective, a Village Design ‘Hazel Combe’ under Statement must be produced by local construction residents and reflect local opinion. Below: It records, in text and pictures, the key rear extension to features which local people regard as ‘Finders Keep’ – one important and suggests ways in which of Overton’s oldest these can be maintained and enhanced. homes

The VDS cannot prevent change, but it can be used to manage it, and aims to be relevant to both small scale and larger scale development.

Both the natural environment and the built environment are included, as well as the historical, community and business Following on from the workshops and It will be of value to: aspects of our village’s life. questionnaire, five groups worked on the key areas of the Design Statement ■ Local residents in providing It also provides guidelines which will (Landscape and Environment, assist residents, the Parish Council, guidance to ensure that Settlement and Transport Patterns, Open alterations and extensions are in Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Spaces and Buildings) to produce a draft and potential developers to maintain or sympathy with the character of document. After further consultation, enhance the distinctive nature of the village including a public display and discussions Overton and its associated settlements. with the Parish Council, the VDS was ■ The Parish Council and submitted to Basingstoke and Deane This document was formally adopted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Borough Council for adoption as Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Council in considering planning Supplementary Planning Guidance. in February, 2002. applications How was the Village How will the Village ■ Developers, architects and Design Statement designers by ensuring that their Design Statement proposals are in keeping with produced? influence development? village expectations ■ An initial public consultation meeting The VDS is not intended to directly Farmers and landowners in was held to discuss the idea of producing influence whether development should maintaining and improving the a Village Design Statement and this was take place in the village – that is the role landscape, rights of way, and followed by two VDS workshops. Each of of the Local Plan – but it will play a vital wildlife habitats these events was very well attended and part in endeavouring to ensure that any all comments were recorded. A future development which does take We hope it will also provide an questionnaire was distributed to every place is appropriate to Overton and attractive and informative record household in the Parish and the results reflects the wishes of the local of the village as it enters the carefully collated. community. 21st century!

(Overtton’’s)...... “communitty spiritt and groups – eg tthe publliic consullttattion behind tthis questtionnaire”

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THE VILLAGE CONTEXT

Overton High Street about 100 years ago

The same view of the distinctive cream or whitewashed houses in 2001, with Overton Hill visible in the background

The signpost at the junction of Winchester Street and the High Street places Overton Overton Sheep neatly in its geographical context Fair in 1905. Many older villagers clearly Location and Population recall the annual The village of Overton is built along the valley of July sheep fair the River Test, a few miles from its source, and Reproduced by permission is surrounded by rising land so that a traveller, of the Rural History from any direction, comes upon the village with Centre, University of little forewarning. Most of the village is spread Reading to the south of the river with the church on a slight rise to the north. It has a population recently risen to 3,800 and is still growing.

The county town of Winchester lies 13 miles to Winchester Street the south, and the intersection of Winchester during The Street and the B3400 Basingstoke to Andover Millennium road forms the historic focus of the village. ‘Sheep Fair’ in The civil parish includes the smaller settlements 2000 of Northington, Southington, Quidhampton, Polhampton, Ashe and South Litchfield together with a number of isolated cottages and farms.

“Itts own sttrong charactter...... tthe ffamillies who have llived here ffor generattions have hellped tto fform itts charactter..”

4 OVERTON DS 2/2/02 12:50 PM Page 5

Historic Village and home, pharmacy, library, post provide for the widest possible office and veterinary practice range of organised sport and Development Community as well as a good selection of recreation in the village and The first mention of Aspects shops. maintains Town Meadow, Overton is in 909 when Bridge Street sports ground, The village has two churches, King Edward the Elder Overton is fortunate in Berrydown sports ground and granted the estate of possessing a range of a wide range of clubs and Overton Primary School ‘Uferanton’, to community facilities which are societies, including the playing field. Frithestan Bishop of the envy of many other Overton Memorial Institute, Winchester. The manor villages. and four pubs. There is a well used was held by the Bishop community centre and two at the time of the There is a thriving primary Overton Recreation Centre, public halls with plans to Domesday survey and school and playgroup, set up in 1966 as a community develop a new village hall on remained in the doctors’ surgery, nursing based initiative, aims to Overton Hill. Church’s possession until the 19th century. In Saxon times the village was probably concentrated to the north of the river, where the church and Court Overton Community Centre, Farm still stand. Once formerly the Village School the Bishop’s palace, and now used by the library, where his Steward held manorial courts, the playgroup, lunch club and the house was rebuilt Parish Council amongst around 1500 for the others yeoman farmer who took on the tenancy.

In the 13th century Bishop de Lucy founded two ‘new towns’, Alresford and Overton, at about the same time. Both were sited on a river, and both were laid out on a grid system Overton Dramatic Society’s with a wide market Millennium celebration street and back lanes which remain to this day. The broad expanse of Winchester St. still echoes its original function as a sheep market, first set up by charter in 1246. A letter written after the Black Death (1348-9) tells us that the outlying settlements from Ashe Overton Primary School to Northington “were children who completed the depopulated... and junior Village Design reduced to penury”. Statement questionnaire The survivors probably moved to the newer areas of Overton on the south side of the river.

(Importtantt tto mainttain)...... “llocall shopping ffacillitties and llocall organisattions,, partticullarlly ORC..”

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THE VILLAGE CONTEXT

Overton Paper Mill

For over 200 years Portals Paper Mill, now owned by De La Rue plc, has had a major impact on many aspects of village life which have given the village its distinctive character as an industrial community.

Overton Mill has for many years produced banknote paper used by the Bank of England and other banknote printers around the world.

The Mill relies on water drawn from aquifers deep below the catchment of the Affordable Phases 1 and 2 of the River Test and returns the water, after use, Foxdown Estate treatment and cleansing, into the river at Housing (above) developed in Quidhampton. 1994 Overton’s location Overton Mill has provided employment for within the affluent Questionnaire results generations of local people and this has south east of England, (below) showing the encouraged many families to remain within with its diverse desirability of low cost the area providing a remarkable degree of employment prospects, ‘affordable’ housing social cohesion and community spirit. good road and rail links and rural surroundings, Although security paper making is now a has led to a rapid Q10 Should there be a greater provision of highly mechanised industry, the Mill increase in the price of ‘affordable’ housing above the current remains the major employer of local people houses. national recommendation of 20%?

in the area. Definitely Yes Neutral No Definitely Many houses which Yes Not have been built, 100 59 47 23 17 In addition to providing employment, the particularly on smaller 100 Mill contributed to the housing stock of the developments, have village and also played its part in been large 4 or 5 90 community matters, for example by bedroom properties making land available for the sports ground with fewer 1 or 2 80 opposite the church and by supporting bedroom ‘starter local clubs and societies as well as Overton homes’ than many 70 Primary School. residents would prefer.

60 The lack of dwellings to purchase or rent at affordable prices has 50 led to some local 40 people moving away respondents of umber N from the area to find housing elsewhere, 30 even if they work in the village. 20

Unless affordable 10 housing is provided, the community spirit for 0 which the village is Definitely Yes Yes Neutral No Definitely Not noted will be eroded.

(Cherished views)...... “tto tthe Millll and tthe bungallow where I llived allll my young days..”

6 OVERTON DS 2/2/02 12:51 PM Page 7

Community A wide Business variety of Guidelines shops in Guidelines ■ New developments Winchester ■ Proposals which lead should provide a range Street... to local employment of dwellings to opportunities should encourage social be treated cohesion and meet the sympathetically needs of as wide a range provided they do not of people as possible lead to unacceptable ■ Where local need can be noise, traffic flows or shown, developers light pollution. New should be asked to industrial buildings provide a higher should be sited percentage of carefully and ‘affordable housing’ ...and the screened. The than the Local Plan High Street conversion of former currently requires. This farm buildings for should include both light industrial, farm small and medium sized shop or office use dwellings and should should be encouraged apply to medium sized where appropriate as well as larger ■ A mixture of housing developments to accord , and small scale retail, with Basingstoke and commercial and office Deane's 'Designing for premises should be Accessibility' guide and Light encouraged national regulations industrial ■ ■ The housing needs of an units at The loss of viable increasingly elderly Overton commercial properties population also need to Station through conversion to be addressed residential use should be resisted ■ The provision of social, ■ educational and Business and developed to take its place. Local shopping should recreational facilities in be encouraged the village, such as the Employment For its size, Overton has a through the provision proposed new village surprisingly large business of public transport hall, should be One of Overton’s distinctive community. There is a within the village, supported and characteristics is that it has thriving and diverse more parking facilities developed. These should always seen itself as a selection of over 100 shops close to the village include facilities for ‘working’ village providing a and small businesses, some centre and by of which are very specialised. young people, the range of employment and maintaining the character and elderly and disabled business opportunities. ■ Most day to day shopping appearance of the The role of Overton requirements may be Recreation Centre in In the past this was centred village and its purchased locally without surroundings providing recreational around agriculture and trips to large supermarkets. facilities for the whole related industries such as ■ Many of the more community should be milling, the agricultural Overton is, of course, also specialist shops and encouraged and supply trade, and later by renowned as a centre of other businesses rely developed Overton Mill and the Air Pak security paper printing with on attracting ■ Suitable time intervals factory. De La Rue currently customers from should be allocated employing more than 700 outside the village. A between the completion Very few inhabitants are now staff. lack of sufficient of one development and involved in agriculture and parking is causing the start of another to their numbers continue to These businesses enhance problems for these allow landscaping to fall. both the prosperity and businesses and their mature and for the social fabric of the village requirements should integration of new As agriculture has declined, and in return they require be considered in parishioners into the however, a wide range of the support of the village future transport and community. other industries has community as a whole. parking planning.

“Mainttain high llevells off emplloymentt opporttunitties and mainttain a high llevell off recreattion ffacillitties..”

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LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT

The parish of Overton lies within the north Hampshire Downs with the River Test running through it.

The northern part of the parish is included in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the river valley forms part of the Test Valley Environmentally Sensitive Area.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Draft Countryside Design Summary classifies Overton parish as being composed of three ‘Countryside Character Areas’ shown on page 10.

The whole of the River Test is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest as are the Micheldever Spoil Heaps in the south of the parish.

Many areas of ancient woodland, unimproved grassland and wetlands have been recently designated as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation.

The village of Overton itself nestles in the river valley, surrounded by high ground to the north, east and south and by gentler slopes to the west where the Test flows seawards.

The encircling ridges, often capped by hedges and trees, form a natural boundary to the village and provide a vantage point for magnificent views over Overton and the surrounding countryside.

“We llived in citties ffor tten years.. I wantt my chilldren tto see tthe seasons changing..”

8 OVERTON DS 2/2/02 12:51 PM Page 9

Above: looking north from Outer Landscape in the southern part of the parish. Although Sapley showing how Overton parts of this are being sensitively managed, some is in a neglected state. is hidden in its valley Beyond the river valley most of the parish consists of an elevated chalk landscape of There are many fine old hedgerows with predominantly arable land with areas of some good examples of sympathetic pasture and woodland. It has a sense of management and recent hedgelaying in the openness, space and tranquillity. traditional style. To the north the land rises gradually from the valley, with the London to Salisbury railway Both the landscape value and wildlife of this line forming a prominent feature. Fields are area have been much influenced by large, open and regular with low hedgerows agriculture. and only a few areas of woodland. Recent changes have seen a swing away from Southwards the land rises more steeply with mixed farming to intensive arable cropping some of the newer developments in Overton based on the production of winter cereals. already starting to invade the natural ridge Farms have become larger and highly line. This area provides extensive views mechanised. Traditional farm buildings have across much of the chalk uplands of north become redundant and hedges removed to Hampshire. Despite these wide views, the accommodate larger machinery. village of Overton lies largely concealed within its valley. Field sizes are more varied The reform of the Common Agricultural Left: aerial view of Overton than to the north with more trees, hedges Policy may lead to the introduction of new looking east showing its and woodland. forms of land use such as willow crops for location mainly on the south biofuels, leisure facilities and increased side of the River Test Much ancient woodland survives, particularly emphasis on managing the environment.

“The upper reaches off tthe Testt Valllley is a beauttiffull partt off Hampshire and shoulld be prottectted ffor ffutture generattions..”

9 OVERTON DS 2/2/02 12:52 PM Page 10

LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT (Draft Countryside Character Areas shown in brackets)

Northern area The Portway – Roman Road (North Wessex Downs) ■ large arable fields or pastures enclosed by low trimmed hedgerows – some scattered mature trees (oak, hawthorn) ■ long rural views – a few, isolated, farmsteads ■ sense of openness, space and 1 tranquility ■ North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Harrow Way Valley of the River Test 2 (Test and Bourne Valley) ■ River Test Site of Special Scientific Salisbury – London line Interest Source ■ former water meadows at Ashe are 3 of the now parkland scenery River Test ■ abandoned watercress beds at 4 B 3400 5 Polhampton ■ settling beds to cleanse water used To Basingstoke & London at Portals Mill are part of the To Whitchurch & Andover Flashetts area and surrounded by willow carr ■ Overton contained by the river valley 6 ■ large landscaped private gardens especially around Southington 8

Southern area N (Chalk and Clay Downs) ■ smaller arable fields with some livestock farming ■ steeper rise from valley floor onto chalk and clay ridge ■ more hazel and oak coppices and spinneys – some ancient and some neglected ■ two organic farmsteads ■ sense of smaller scale tree enclosed The landscape with some stunning ‘Chalkies’ Popham Beacons panoramic views to the north and 7 west ■ Micheldever Spoil Heaps (SSSI) known as ‘The Chalkies’.

“Attttracttive challk counttr y ttraversed by an importtantt challk sttream allll witthin tthree quartters off a mille off tthe villllage centtre..”

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1: looking south from the large 1 arable fields at 2 Willesley Warren Farm

2: Harrow Way, a prehistoric trackway

3 3: the source of 4 the River Test at Ashe Manor Farm

4: the River Test at Southington where it leaves Overton Parish

5 5: hazel coppicing at Berrydown 6

6: the smaller field pattern to the south creates a more intimate, wooded landscape

8 7 7: the Bronze Age barrows at Popham Beacons

8: two organic farmsteads – Big Northdown Farm and Northdown Orchard (foreground)

“There is notthing more beauttiffull tthan natture,, birds,, tthe river,, ttrees,, which bring peaceffullness and quallitty tto ever yone’’s llives..”

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LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENT

The Inner Landscape – within the Village and adjacent countryside

From within the village the views outwards are framed by the valley ridges with vistas of fields, hedgerows and both coniferous and deciduous woodland.

Particularly significant views include:

■ Those of St Mary’s Church, Court Farm and the Old Rectory. The church stands against rising ground with its spire as the focal point of many views within and across the village Top right: the view upstream from ■ The River Test, Bridge Street particularly at the road bridges at Southington, Bridge Left: Great North Field which Street, Town Mill, provides the backdrop to Quidhampton and St Mary’s Church Straight Lane as well as the footbridge at Polhampton Middle right: the ■ Winchester Street River Test looking upstream with its broad, tree from Southington bridge lined vista leading the showing natural banks and eye down to the some ‘green corridor’ historic hub of the vegetation left intact village and beyond to the church in its rural setting Bottom left: St Mary’s Church and Great North Field from ■ The green fields and Winchester Street open spaces including private gardens within the village, often Bottom right: view framed by mature across Overton Hill to trees and hedges. the church and beyond

“Lovelly views and a good nettwork off ffoottpatths,, a ffeelling off being in tthe counttr yside..”

12 OVERTON DS 2/2/02 12:55 PM Page 13

Landscape and provide small scale employment and maintain traditional farm Environmental buildings Guidelines ■ Diversification schemes which would lead to excessive traffic The source of the River Test lies within movement, light or noise the area and the river has a key role in pollution should be resisted so determining the hydrology, landscape that the tranquil rural nature of and environmental character of the the area can be maintained area. ■ Developments, for example golf ■ Developers must recognise this courses, which could diminish the role and seek to maintain or distinctive rural character of the enhance it area through increased traffic, inappropriate buildings or field ■ New developments should respect divisions should be restricted in the river valley setting of the area and location village and its significant buildings ■ and natural features. Further The impact on landscape and building encroachment on the wildlife of novel land uses such as skyline should be avoided biofuels should be carefully monitored and if necessary ■ Grass verges should be maintained controlled and encouraged ■ Landowners should be ■ Developers must aim to maintain encouraged to maintain and or improve the landscape enhance the biodiversity and characteristics of the village and in landscape character of the parish particular respect the landscape by participation in initiatives such setting of buildings within the as the Countryside Stewardship, conservation area such as St Organic Farming, Woodland Mary’s Church Grant, Farm Woodland Premium and Environmentally Sensitive ■ Views into or out of the village Area Schemes such as views of St Mary’s Church from Overton Hill, Kingsclere Road ■ Farmers should be further and Winchester Street must be encouraged to seek advice on safeguarded. Views from public improving the wildlife value of rights of ways throughout the their land through the production parish should be maintained in of Farm Biodiversity Action Plans accordance with current local produced with the assistance of planning authority guidelines local conservation organisations ■ such as the Hampshire Farming Development outside the village and Wildlife Advisory Group or such as agricultural buildings or the Hampshire Wildlife Trust. telecommunication masts should be carefully sited, appropriately screened and of a sympathetic height and mass which avoids undue impact on the landscape ■ New developments within the area should be sensitively landscaped and screened using indigenous species appropriate to the location and ideally of local provenance. The use of fast growing, coniferous species such as Leylandii should be strongly A new discouraged woodland ■ Sustainable farm diversification area on schemes should be supported Polhampton particularly where they will Farm

“...... lloss off tthe counttr yside is ttoo llow a prioritty..”

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SETTLEMENT AND TRANSPORT PATTERNS

The settlement pattern of Overton is still influenced by its planned development in the 13th century on a distinctive grid layout. This early pattern of three north–south streets and two B 3051 St east–west streets and the associated lanes still forms the basis of the older part of the village.

Until the 19th century development was focused on the two principal roads, namely the High Street and Winchester Street. Later development saw the filling in of the old burgage plots with Victorian terraces, while successive 20th century housing has extended out of the valley to the surrounding higher ground. Further development for housing continues with significant building at Foxdown, Overton Hill, Waltham Road and the upper part of Winchester Street while infilling of large gardens and other open spaces is common.

Before the coming of the railways Overton was an important staging post on the stagecoach route from London to Exeter.

The main railway line from London to Salisbury lies Primary a short distance to the north of the village and has School been of great significance in the development of the village as it influenced the siting of the nearby paper mill in the 1920s.

The main traffic route is the B3400 road linking Overton to Basingstoke in the east and Whitchurch in the west. Traffic using this route includes both commuters and heavy goods vehicles travelling to Overton Paper Mill. All of this traffic has to pass through residential areas. The differing transport and access requirements resulting from the mix of residential and commercial properties in the village centre sometimes create traffic flow problems at peak times. Southington B 3400 Other significant routes include the B3051 to Kingsclere and Newbury and the heavily used lane (C29) linking Overton to the A303 and M3 near Micheldever.

Within Overton the street pattern is such that cross village journeys avoiding the main junction are difficult.

Streets in newer areas tend to be of the cul-de-sac type, providing few opportunities for alternative routes avoiding the centre.

New development, and increasing car ownership, are starting to lead to severe congestion in some of the narrower village streets such as Waltham Road.

Lack of parking is an increasing problem in

Overton, particularly in the village centre and at C 29 the railway station. This will eventually have an impact on the viability of local businesses.

“...... itts size – overdevellopmentt willll killll Overtton..”

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The Mill

Station

Flashetts

Overton Hill

Three typical narrow streets in the Conservation Area, all fronting directly onto the road

Above: Red Lion Lane

Waltham Road Left: Bridge Street

Right: Battens Avenue. The road separates the dwellings from their front plots

“Overtton shoulld remain a villllage – nott a ttown or a Hattch War ren..”

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SETTLEMENT AND TRANSPORT PATTERNS

Settlement and Transport Guidelines

■ New development should be limited to sites where building can be integrated into the existing valley settlement pattern ■ New development should be linked into the community through the provision of footpaths and cycle ways to destinations such as the school, village centre and railway station ■ Two way routes are preferred to cul-de-sacs in new developments, provided these are linked to traffic calming measures ■ Infilling of gardens should be avoided where this would lead to a loss of the distinctive settlement pattern of the village ■ The impact of development on Above: parking congestion in Winchester Street and below, at Overton Station the use of existing roadways and Below: Overton Station on the northern edge of the village footways should be considered when planning applications are made ■ In association with new development and highway works, opportunities should be taken to secure a more accessible environment for all, whilst respecting the character of the area ■ Highway works associated with new developments and maintenance to roads and footways should respect the character of the area and should avoid removing locally distinctive features from rural lanes such as grass verges, hedges or traditional walls ■ Parking facilities for the village centre and at the railway station should be improved ■ Transport operators and local authorities should be encouraged to continue and expand public transport facilities to reduce reliance on the car.

“Houses ffor youngstters (ttoo many had tto move away)..”

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OPEN SPACES WITHIN THE VILLAGE

The variety of open spaces, both public and private, within Pond Close Play Area Overton greatly enhances the Sapley Lane Playing Field village’s attractiveness and contributes to its distinctive character. Edward Kersley Playing Field – The ‘Rec’ Overton is fortunate in Allotments possessing an excellent range of sports fields for golf, tennis, cricket and football managed, on Fields West of behalf of its members, by Bridge St Recreation Centre Dellands Lane Overton Recreation Centre at Town Meadow, Bridge Street and Town Meadow Golf Course Berrydown. Flashetts Area & Settling Beds The Parish Council maintains public open spaces at the Edward Kersley and Sapley Lane playing Overton Primary School Playing Field fields. A number of other sites also provide children’s play equipment.

The grounds of Overton Primary School have been developed to enhance their wildlife interest and Above: an aerial view of also provide outstanding views Overton from the north, over the village. showing most of the important open spaces A proposed neighbourhood park within the village at Overton Hill will provide a further area for quiet informal enjoyment and a garden of rest is to be planted adjacent to the burial ground. Left: Edward Kersley Open spaces, such as Town Playing Field with St Meadow and the fields to the Mary’s Church in its west of Dellands Lane, are rural setting in the essential to preserve the separate background identity of Southington, while the hamlets of Quidhampton, Polhampton and Ashe are maintained as separate settlements by their setting within a distinctive, enclosed, river valley landscape.

Other important open spaces include the wide grass verges in Winchester Street and the Community Centre forecourt. The open area of rising land to the north of St Mary’s is greatly Left: the Overton valued in providing a rural Mummers performing backdrop to the village and giving on Boxing Day in the prominence to the church itself. Community Centre (See pictures on Page 12) forecourt

(Cherished views)...... “allll off tthem – llike my ffatther said,, Overtton is a pretttty pllace..”

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OPEN SPACES WITHIN THE VILLAGE

The River Test Flashetts: this special place is the only area of public access along the banks of the river in The River Test and the the village open spaces associated with it provide a common theme running through the village and its neighbouring hamlets. These areas include the old watercress beds at Polhampton, the typical water meadows and associated willow carr of the flood plain at Flashetts and the large landscaped private gardens, The wildlife-rich willow carr particularly those around beside the public footpath Southington. With through Flashetts sensitive management, all of these can contribute positively to the character of the area and be appreciated by the whole community.

These areas also provide a range of habitats for wildlife, some of which, such as dormice and water voles, are increasingly threatened by inappropriate clearing and urban style landscaping and garden maintenance.

Although the clear waters Above: the River Test in the of the river and its centre of Overton looking associated open spaces are towards Town Mill greatly valued by both young and old, access is very restricted. With the Left: the water meadows at exception of views from Polhampton Farm the bridges, public access to walk beside the Test is limited to small areas at Flashetts and along the Lynch. Increased access to the river is generally seen as very desirable.

Recent high rainfall has highlighted the need for careful drainage and river management, a factor Bridge Street: another route which has declined in over rather than along the recent years. river

“The River Testt ffrom any off tthe bridges over itt,, allll tthe bridges give you a llovelly view..”

18 OVERTON DS 2/2/02 12:56 PM Page 19

The playing field at Open Spaces Guidelines Overton Primary School ■ The open spaces managed by Overton Recreation Centre should be maintained for their benefit to the community and for their importance in preserving open spaces within the village

■ The need for further recreational areas should be monitored in view of any increase in population. The necessity of children’s informal play areas must be considered in any housing development proposals

The wide tree lined ■ Landowners should be grass verges in encouraged to provide Winchester Street lend opportunities for quiet a feeling of enjoyment of the River Test. Any spaciousness proposals which restrict access or limit views of the river must be resisted

■ The natural landscape and open spaces adjoining the River Test are greatly valued by the local community and should be maintained, or enhanced, for their scenic and wildlife value

The village allotments ■ Landowners should be required provide an additional to consider the impact on leisure resource and an existing and potential wildlife of opportunity for putting any changes to existing open sustainable living into spaces. E.g. preserve river bank practice! habitats by avoiding hard revetments and conserving the remaining ‘green corridor/buffer strip’ along the river

■ The open spaces separating the settlements of Southington, Quidhampton, Polhampton and Ashe from the village of Overton and from each other should be preserved

■ Winchester Street, Town Meadow, Bridge Street Sports Ground and the open spaces around Court Farm, The Old The Recreation Ground Rectory and Great North Field are at Bridge Street with particularly cherished for their the church as its scenic quality and any backdrop development must respect this.

“Town Meadow Gollff Course – whatt aboutt access tto tthe river ffrom here?”

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THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Map showing Overton contains a wide range of Overton’s building styles reflecting its cherished development over the centuries. buildings and the boundary of the The Conservation Area covers the Conservation older village core and extends Area along the valley to the adjacent hamlets of Southington, Quidhampton and Polhampton. Within it lie most of Overton’s 26 listed buildings including several of particular landscape and historic interest such as St. Mary’s Church, Court Farm with its medieval barn, the Old Rectory, Southington Mill and Polhampton Farmhouse. A group of older buildings around the central cross- KEY roads, including the White Hart Boundary of (an old coaching inn), and the Conservation Area Community Centre (the former Cherished buildings village school), form a distinctive focal point in the Conservation Area. The White Hart, Greyhound and Red Lion pubs retain many of their original outbuildings dating back to the coaching era.

The design of the Stretching outwards from that 15th century core, but still within the great barn at Conservation Area, Winchester Court Farm is Street, the High Street and Bridge mirrored in the Street also contain many smaller new Church but equally distinctive properties Rooms behind St whose Georgian or Victorian Mary’s Church exteriors often conceal a much earlier origin while others have remained largely unchanged since the 14th and 15th centuries. The ground floors of some of these properties now function as shops. This area includes many late Victorian and early 20th century houses developed by the infilling of the medieval ‘burgage’ plots. There have, however, been some inappropriate designs, such as the HSBC bank, which must not be repeated if the village centre is to The White Hart retain its character. Although and surrounding lacking a unity of design or style, buildings form a the total composition conveys a distinctive focal vibrant sense of place at the heart point in the heart of the community. of the Conservation Outside the Conservation Area Area housing estates have been

“Sense off communitty – you meett so many ffriends on a day--tto--day basis (ie nott ttoo big or impersonall)..”

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erected, reflecting the building styles of specific periods, particularly since the Second World War. Properties are generally of one or two storeys, terraced or semi-detached and include former council housing. The older developments such as The Green and along Charledown Road are often well proportioned and situated in good sized gardens with mature trees and trimmed hedge boundaries.

Within the last decade, the appeal of Overton to the commuter has led to the development of larger ‘executive style’ houses and a comparative shortage of smaller Above: the flint walled church, ‘affordable’ houses. The VDS left, and a pair of typical questionnaire results strongly Victorian cottages, right, at suggest that terraced and Ashe semi-detached homes are more desirable for the future development of housing than detached houses and bungalows.

Some infilling has occurred with larger gardens being developed for new dwellings. In some cases this has led to overdevelopment. Papermakers: gabled porches The northern skyline from within and dormer windows fit well the village is dominated by in the village context Overton Paper Mill, adjacent to the railway station and a constant reminder of Overton’s industrial heritage. Smaller business units have been developed nearby.

The outlying hamlets of Ashe, Quidhampton, Polhampton, Southington and South Litchfield have seen comparatively little development and consist of a pleasant mixture of older farmhouses and former estate workers’ cottages, along with larger properties such as Litchfield Grange with its historic barn, Ashe House and Grade 1 Listed Turnpike cottages – a recent Berrydown Court designed by small development that Edwin Lutyens in 1897. blends in well

“...... exttensions shoulld be made tto llook as iff tthey were partt off tthe originall design wherever possiblle..”

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THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Building Details Tithe Cottage, recently rebuilt Roofs. Within the Conservation Area roofing using traditional materials are predominantly local clay ‘multi materials including red/orange’ plain tiles and slates with a few old thatch, timber thatched roofs. Roof pitches are normally over framing and 40 degrees with varied, often staggered, ridge brick-and-flint. Note lines. In more recent developments, roofing the half-hipped flying gable materials include modern slates, brown clay tiles, pantiles and concrete tiles with roof pitches under 40 degrees. Generally there is a consistency of line and height in adjacent buildings but with a degree of variation which Staggered ridge lines enhances the composition and harmony of the and variations of streets. Half-hipped ‘flying’ gables are a pitch on adjoining distinctive feature of some properties. properties are an important feature House walls. In the older areas many of the buildings retain evidence of their original timber framing on side and rear elevations while front elevations are generally clad in the local ‘multi red/orange’ brick, some with decorative brick coursing. Victorian buildings, such as both former village schools, demonstrate brick and natural flint construction. Boundary walls of An harmonious brick and flint or weathered brick are a pleasing conversion and feature of many properties and have been extension of two successfully included in modern developments farm cottages to a and extensions. single dwelling at A particular feature of the High Street and Polhampton Winchester Street is the presence of many rendered, cream or whitewashed buildings, some with inscribed coursing, which contribute to the distinctiveness of this area.

Modern buildings are constructed from brick often with wooden or plastic fascia boarding.

Windows, doors, porches and garages. In the The new surgery is a Conservation Area traditional sash or casement fine example of windows, doors and door cases have generally sympathetic modern been retained, but in newer developments most design, maximising windows are now plastic framed double glazed solar gain and the units with matching doors. Dormer windows use of traditional and gabled porches are a feature of many materials properties.

Few of the older properties have their own garages, which leads to problems with car parking particularly in Winchester Street, High Overton’s housing Street, Bridge Street, Red Lion Lane, Battens stock includes 1950s Avenue and Waltham Road. In the newer council houses, many developments most houses either have an of which are integral garage or one in a communal garage enhanced by block. Multiple car ownership, and the use of carefully maintained garages for storage, however, means that hedge boundaries of parking is often still a problem in these areas. hawthorn and privet

“Buillding on tthe hilllls willll mean we llose tthe natturall counttr yside views..”

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Built Environment desired, consideration should be Traditional style given to using the traditional slim side opening Guidelines section sash or casement styles casement windows in UVPC with the ■ New developments should aim to ■ In new developments with half-elliptical complement the predominant porches and dormers, roofs brickwork over the scale and style of nearby should be consistent in style with top which is typical properties with care being taken, the main roof design of Test Valley particularly in the Conservation villages, as is the Area, to use traditional colours, ■ A better mix of housing including use of occasional materials and techniques smaller, lower cost dwellings with blue bricks 1-3 bedrooms is strongly ■ Within the Conservation Area, preferred to dwellings with over 4 hand made multi red/orange bedrooms. These should be Right: some houses bricks should be used wherever terraced, multi unit, or semi have tile-hung possible. Brick constructions detached and of 2 storeys or less. gable ends should utilise a range of brick Buildings over 2 storeys should laying styles to provide visual only be considered where there interest will be no adverse effect on the skyline, surrounding ridge Below: new ■ New buildings and extensions patterns or significant views should harmonise with their outbuilding using surroundings. Extensions must ■ The conversion of garages to reclaimed timbers, conform to the principles laid out residential accommodation well matched in Basingstoke and Deane should be discouraged unless slates and bricks, Development Control Design adequate off-road parking to appropriate rural Guide 2 ‘Extending Your Home’ current standards is available. The fencing, with a conversion of front gardens to off- sapling hawthorn ■ Within new developments road car parking should not be hedge designers should utilise allowed if it would detract from traditional building elements the distinctive character of the from elsewhere in the village but area, e.g. Winchester Street should avoid a cocktail of features. ‘Mock’ styles such as ■ Development should be avoided ‘Elizabethan’ timber framing on where impact on the skyline modern houses or the use of would detract from views within artificial flint panels must be the village. New developments avoided should not dominate the landscape and should be designed ■ Where modern buildings are to maintain or enhance existing rendered, the rendering should be views e.g. From Overton Hill coursed to reflect local styles looking across to St Mary’s Church ■ The use of more modern design features and materials may be ■ New developments and encouraged away from traditional associated landscaping should buildings and if in sympathy with harmonise with the site the local environment maximising any benefits from its topography in terms of aspect, ■ Ridge lines and roofing materials slope, and views should match the majority of surrounding properties. Flat roofs ■ New housing must be encouraged should be avoided to meet high standards in terms of resource conservation with ■ Within the Conservation Area particular attention paid to every effort should be made to maximising solar gain and A new traditionally conserve or renew existing recycling rainwater and ‘grey’ built brick-and- wooden doors and windows water. The use of recycled or flint wall with half- reclaimed building materials round capping in ■ If replacement windows are should also be encouraged. Red Lion Lane

“disablled access” ...... “watter recyclling” ...... “avoid ‘‘anywhere’’ sttylles”

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Some features are common to a number of sections of the VDS. For OTHER FEATURES example, footpaths are mentioned in passing in Settlement and Transport Patterns but also require a section on their own.

Walls and Plot Boundaries

Some fine examples of chalk cob and both old and new brick and flint walls exist within the village. These greatly enhance the character and distinctiveness of the area.

Both within and outside the village, hedges of native species such as hawthorn, guelder rose, beech and hazel, provide a soft, natural edge to boundaries and encourage a wide variety of wildlife. Residents, landowners and developers should be encouraged to: ■ Retain, repair or improve boundary walls using traditional materials and styles Above: The Trees and Field garden wall of ■ Match new boundaries to existing Southington Boundaries ones in the neighbourhood, avoiding the use of timber fencing panels House is a fine Trees as individual where they may be seen from public example of the specimens, groups or highways and other rights of way use of soft red woodland, form a key part brick ■ of Overton’s distinctive Maintain and enhance existing native character and wildlife hedges and use indigenous species for Right: new heritage. establishing new hedges. The use of hedge laying at quick growing conifers such as Berrydown A wide range of tree species Leylandii should be avoided. are found, ranging from the ubiquitous beech to the much rarer black poplar. A Footpaths and bridleways number of ancient trees are found in the area, Overton Parish benefits from an extensive particularly in Polhampton and well used network of public rights of and Quidhampton. way. These include the ancient Harrow Way ■ track which dates to the Iron Age or earlier The process of and, forming the northerly boundary, the recording significant Portway – a Roman road from Silchester to trees within the parish Old Sarum. should continue and landowners assisted in The local community values this network of managing them rights of way greatly and there is an active Above: appropriately Ramblers’ Association. Overton’s ■ The removal of many mature ■ Public rights of way must be hedgerows must be trees maintain resisted and new maintained, protected and made more the rural accessible to all where possible planting encouraged character of ■ the village Plans for new ■ Landowners should be encouraged to looking west developments should provide new rights of way, include details of new from Overton particularly where these would link tree planting using Hill up existing routes appropriate native species of a significant ■ Applications to divert or close public Left: the size, to give effective rights of way must be resisted unless footpath from screening as soon as overwhelming need can be shown and Court Drove to possible. Mature trees an acceptable alternative route Kingsclere should be retained provided. Road whenever possible.

(Cheriished viiews)...... “The ttree llines down tthe hillll tto Overtton..”

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Lanes within Silk Mill Lane: the quiet leafy-green Overton back routes provide a haven Lanes such as Silk Mill Lane, Dellands for both wildlife and people Lane, Waltham Road and Two Gate Lane form part of Overton’s distinctive rural character. They provide quiet back routes around the village with their associated hedgerows and banks contributing to the landscape and wildlife value and forming leafy green tunnels.

Increasing traffic is now using these lanes to avoid congestion in the village centre and in some cases is starting to damage banks and roadside vegetation. Hedge and tree management is sometimes inefficient, resulting in torn, rather than cut, branches.

■ Traffic flows should be managed to minimise overuse of the back lanes

■ Roadside hedge trimming must be of a high standard Overton’s wild flowers: preserved ■ Inappropriate use of street by carefully timed furniture and signs should be mowing to allow avoided. seed setting

Street ■ New signs should be Lighting restricted to the Furniture and minimum Security lighting on domestic, Place names appropriate to sports and commercial maintaining road premises can be excessive. safety and should not Glare from intrusive lighting Seats, bus shelters and be unduly intrusive may lead to light pollution and street lighting are detracts from the village’s rural appropriate for a village of ■ The Parish Council character. Overton’s size although the street lighting (largely should continue ■ Design details for replacing street installed 30 years ago) is Above: public footpath sign to external lighting should lights within the be shown on planning not wholly in keeping with Flashetts the Conservation Area. Conservation Area applications and should with appropriate be restricted to the Road signs have become designs minimum necessary to ensure safety and security more intrusive in the ■ All new road and interests of road safety ■ All opportunities should and to ensure that heavy development names be taken to replace old goods vehicles avoid should echo street lighting, or install missing the only geographic, historic new lighting, with recommended route to or personal links to designs which minimise the Mill. the area. light pollution.

“...... cor rectt design off sttreett llightting tto minimise llightt polllluttion..”

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OTHER FEATURES

Shop Fronts Two examples of sympathetically and Signs designed shopfronts Some shop fronts and signs integrate well into their surroundings and enrich the streetscape. However, others use a style which is inappropriate to the village and ignores Overton’s distinctive village character. ■ Shops and other commercial premises should respect Overton’s distinctive character and avoid using ‘off the shelf’, ubiquitous designs and internally illuminated signs ■ Shop fronts and signs must conform to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Development Control Design Guide ‘Shopfronts and Advertisements’.

Overhead Lines and other Utilities

Overhead lines and cables Public utility detract from the village companies setting particularly in the should consider Conservation Area. the visual impact of their ■ Within the installations Conservation Area a programme to complete the resiting of overhead wires to underground should be considered

■ All public utility companies should be required to consider ways of minimising the visual impact of their installations.

“The ffriendlly attmosphere and sellff--supportting natture seen in tthe Postt Offffice,, baker’’s and buttcher’’s shop..”

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WHAT THE CHILDREN SAY...

And last but definitely not results were remarkably least, some contributions similar to the adult from Overton Primary responses. Not School. Seventy-five surprisingly, the issue of children completed a junior access to the River Test was VDS questionnaire, whose high on their agenda!

Aged 7

Aged 9

Aged 10

“I ffeell llucky tthatt we llive in tthe counttr yside in Overtton because I llike being ablle tto go and have a paddlle in tthe River Testt”

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...AND HOW REFERENCES & THEY SEE IT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS References The following references were used in the production of the Overton Village Design Statement. 1. Overton Village Design Statement Questionnaire Responses. (2001) 2. Village Design – Making local character count in new development. The Countryside Commission (1996) 3. Overton Community Profile. Hampshire Council of Community Services. (1997) 4. The Hampshire Landscape – a strategy for the future. Hampshire County Council (2000) 5. Historic Overton – Archaeological Assessment Document. Hampshire County Council and English Heritage. (1999) 6. Hampshire Farming Study 1999 Review. Hampshire County Council (1999) 7. Hampshire Treasures. Hampshire County Council. (1986) The River Test at Bridge Street Scott Thomson Aged 9 8. Biodiversity Action Plan for Hampshire. Hampshire Biodiversity Partnership (2000) 9. Ancient Trees of Hampshire Survey. Hampshire Wildlife Trust (1999) 10. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Rural Strategy. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (2000) 11. Draft Countryside Design Summary. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. (2001) 12. Overton Conservation Area Appraisal. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (1999) 13. Development Control Design Guides a) Shopfronts and Advertisements b) Extending your home. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (2001) 14. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Local Plan. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. (1998) 15. 2001 Housing Needs Study. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (June 2001) 16. The Highway Environment: Design for Special Areas. Hampshire County Council (1993) Court Farm Christina Cox Aged 10 17 Designing for Accessibility: An essential guide for public Buildings. Basingstoke and Dean Borough Council (2000) Acknowledgements The Overton Village Design Steering Group would like to thank: ■ The villagers of Overton and its neighbouring settlements who completed questionnaires, took part in workshops and meetings and commented on the draft copies of the VDS. ■ Phil Turner RIBA, MRTPI for guiding us calmly and independently through the VDS process. ■ Overton Parish Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for their support and encouragement. ■ Overton Photographic Club and others for the photographs. ■ The National Lottery ‘Awards for All’ for funding. ■ John Stepney and the late Bernie Tunstall (H.C.C. Mapping Services Dept.) for their willing assistance and advice. ■ Bric Wilkins for the graphic design and the benefit of his experience.

Extracts from this publication may be made for non-commercial in-house use, subject to the source, Community Centre Community Centre Overton VDS, being acknowledged. However, copyright © of the photographs remains with the original photographers. Dominic Duell Aged 9 Cameron Hardy Aged 8 Published by the Overton Village Design Statement team. Contact: 01256 771121

““...... II wwoouulldd aallwwaayyss wwaanntt ttoo lliivvee iinn OOvveerrttoonn””

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