Ashurst & Colbury Village Design Statement

Ashurst & Colbury

Village Design Statement

Draft for consultation as a Supplementary Planning Document

CONTENTS Approved by Ashurst & Colbury Parish Appendix 1 17 Council on… CHAPTER ONE 1 Some of the views of residents Introduction to the Adopted by New Forest National Park Village Design Statement Appendix 2 18 Authority on… List of consultation events CHAPTER TWO 4 Parish Councillors: A Brief History Appendix 3 Sally Arnold [Chairman] of the Parish Relevant planning policies 20 David Bryant Max Coaker CHAPTER THREE 6 Peter Frost Important Historic Caroline Hubbard Buildings Ken Kershaw Peter Sopowski [Vice Chairman] CHAPTER FOUR 7 Ann Sturgess Community Facilities and the Local Economy Parish Clerk: Len Griggs CHAPTER FIVE 9 Landscape District Councillors: Les Puttock CHAPTER SIX 11 Derek Tipp The Built Environment County Councillor: CHAPTER SEVEN 14 Keith Mans Highways, Traffic and Transport Member of Parliament: Doctor Julian Lewis

CHAPTER ONE Introduction to the Village Design Statement

A Village Design Statement cannot The Ashurst and Colbury Village Design the December 2011 issue of the Parish prevent change, but it can be used to Statement was initiated at a public Newsletter for written feed-back. manage it. It provides guidelines about the meeting, with a steering group undertaking design of any future development which to produce various sections of the The VDS has been developed in liaison will assist residents, the Parish Council, Statement using their knowledge and with the New Forest National Park the planning authority and potential expertise of the village. Authority and officer comments have been developers. incorporated in this version. It is hoped Information was gathered from that following formal public consultation By identifying what makes Ashurst and advertisements and articles written in the the Park Authority will adopt the VDS as a Colbury special and distinctive it is monthly Parish Newsletter delivered free Supplementary Planning Document. suggested that changes to individual to every house in the village; a manned buildings, groups of buildings or the stall at the Village Fete; an Agenda item at village as a whole, should be based on an Parish Council Meetings; and a talk given understanding of the past and present to the Parish Plan Committee. It was character of the village. This would enable advertised on the Council notice boards new development to make a positive and letters were delivered to local business contribution to the local distinctiveness of people and individual residents. The the parish. village fete generated over a hundred responses. A Village Design Statement can be adopted by the local planning authority as Further consultation has taken place a Supplementary Planning Document, through the draft statement being placed on making the design guidelines it contains a the Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council material consideration when determining website and a public meeting to view the planning applications in the parish. document and make suggestions. A pro forma for responses was also included in

Ashurst and Colbury settlement pattern

Aerial photo of the parish

CHAPTER TWO A Brief History of the Parish

Originally the three settlements of from wherever you are, even in the built up In 1535 John Mill, a merchant from Colbury, Foxhills and Ashurst made up the environment. Southampton, gained the lease of the Parish. Ashurst and Colbury became the Manor of Colbury. He was a direct parish name in the 1920’s – previously Ashurst ancestor of the current owner of the Barker known as Lyndhurst Road - and the parish The name Ashurst appears in 1314 in court Mill Estate [Amanda Barker Mill]. council was formed in 1985. It is bounded records, and this indicates the timber trade to the west by Netley Marsh, to the north was already established here. Ashurst The parish of Colbury was created in 1894. by Totton and Eling, and to the south by itself is an ancient name meaning ‘ash Denny Lodge. wooded hill’. Foxhills Foxhills, which was originally one of the th There has been a considerable increase in At the beginning of the 19 century three villages, has a number of Edwardian the population of Ashurst and Colbury Ashurst was a community of working properties and bungalows. A proportion of over the last 100 years due mainly to its farms and a few houses with the large the land and properties are owned or proximity to the New Forest and good rail estate of Barker Mill at Colbury and managed by the Barker Mill Estate. It is and bus routes. The 2001 census gives a Winchester College at Testwood. The also home to the Allotment Gardens for population of 2011. Ashurst and Colbury railway opened in 1847 and this was Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council. is identified as one of the four defined followed shortly afterwards by “The New These Allotment Gardens were established villages within the New Forest National Forest Hotel.” and completed by the Parish Council, with Park. indebted appreciation to the Barker Mill Colbury Trust. The parish lies on a mixture of sands, clays Reference can be traced back to the 1230’s and gravels on the edge of Bartley Water when monks at Beaulieu Abbey received a Some important dates valley which flows into Eling Creek. gift of land described as “some tenements” Today a large percentage of the village is at Colbury. The Abbey built up the Manor 1836 the Poor Law Amendment Act of woodland and mature trees are evident of Colbury and this was confirmed by 1834 empowered parishes to be grouped Edward II. into Unions and build workhouses for the able-bodied poor. The building later

became Ashurst Hospital and was designed 1999 Consultation commenced for a to house 200 people. New Forest National Park, 1847 The Southampton and Dorchester 2005 Welcome Pack commenced by Railway Company began operating and a Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council. station next to the Lyndhurst Road was 2005 Area formerly designated as a

built. National Park, with the National Park

1868 Colbury School on the corner of Authority gaining full statutory powers the Pound Lane was built. following year. 1870 Through the generosity of Frederick 2006 The Parish Council won the best Ibbotson Colbury Church was planned, Village in District award and came paid for and built. runners-up in the Building Community 1884 Mrs. Vaudrey Barker-Mill inherited Life section of the Hampshire Village of Langley Manor Estates and Colbury the Year organized by HALC. Manor. 2012 Celebration of the Queens Diamond 1907 David Lloyd George made a speech Jubilee at Colbury Memorial Hall. at Lyndhurst Road Station. He addressed a

gathering of Liberal Party supporters as his

position of President of the Board of Trade.

1914/18 Indian Troops camp at Ashurst.

1940 British Army from Dunkirk sent their wounded soldiers to Ashurst Hospital. 1967 Foxhills Junior School opened. 1969 The old School at Colbury closed after 101 years of service and reopened in the grounds with Foxhills Junior School. 1985 Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council

formed.

1997 Lyndhurst Road Station changed to Ashurst Station.

CHAPTER THREE Important Historic Buildings

Christ Church, Colbury since then it has been a place of worship Mrs. Barker-Mill and other local men for the Roman Catholic Community. St. killed in World War 1. Joseph’s run a very successful Poitiers Project which assists the needy not only in this Parish but in the nearby towns.

Hospital Chapel

The Bishop of Winchester, Samuel Wilberforce, consecrated the Church and The hall acts as a focal point within the Churchyard on March 8th 1870. The community and provides the venue for an Church rooms were built in the orchard of extensive range of community activities. It is supported by fundraising efforts from the old vicarage in 1970. the community and local parishes and has The workhouse chapel was erected during recently invested in the enlargement of the St. Josephs the 1850’s. It is a simple red-brick building kitchen facilities. of nave and chancel and will hold 50

people. It was the gift of Mrs. Annie Flint House, Colbury 1890 Sturges Bourne, who lived at Testwood

House.

Colbury Memorial Hall

Originally a private home called ‘The Built in 1930, the Colbury Memorial Hall Dene’, the Montfort Fathers took is dedicated to the memory of the son of possession of the building in 1942 and

CHAPTER FOUR Community Facilities and the Local Economy

Groups and clubs school activities. They have a secure Shops These range from badminton to bridge, and outdoor playing area in lovely rural There are a good variety of shops along from the Camera Club to amateur surroundings. During the year they hold Lyndhurst Road, including: dramatics. A total of 18 different clubs are many functions to raise funds for the Post office, newsagents, veterinary based at the Colbury Memorial Hall and schools. The School has an open plan surgery, two convenience stores, car more at the Church Rooms. They include design, with a light airy spacious repairs and car sales, car wash, Chinese Langley Manor Cricket Club, which caters environment to facilitate learning. take-a-way, Fish & Chip shop, Indian for all levels of cricket players, a Moviola restaurant and take away, car audio shop, club, enabling residents to see a variety of Within the complex is a nature reserve two hairdressers and an upholstery sewing popular films, and a local group who offer with paths, a lake and an outdoor service village walks. classroom. Most of these businesses are located in a Schools parade on the A35 near the railway station. The original education establishment for There is free parking available nearby and this parish was at Pound Lane, Colbury. seating amongst mature trees. The old school was closed in 1969 after 101 years of service. Foxhills Junior opened in 1967 and the Infants followed in 1969 There is now a thriving school complex in Foxhills; which has an Infant and Junior School, together with a Play School.

In addition to providing a good education, the school has breakfast clubs and after-

Restaurants and licensed premises Ashurst Campsite RECOMMENDATIONS

• Local services and businesses should be maintained and enhanced wherever possible, providing a focus for the community and contributing to the working character of the village.

New Forest Hotel • Any new commercial development should be designed to avoid spoiling the rural feel of the village and should take into consideration any The campsite is built on the timber yard neighbouring residential properties. which operated here until the end of World War II. The site is set just outside the Appropriate screening should be Happy Cheese parish in the middle of a woodland glade. included on site and impacts on road It is within walking distance of the railway junctions and existing traffic calming station and has direct access to the Forest, should be minimised. with its footpaths and cycle paths. The village shops, pubs and restaurants are • Developer’s open space contributions only a few minutes away. should be put towards enhancing existing recreation grounds and their

Other local businesses features. Forest Inn

A number of businesses are run from people’s homes, but only a minority employ more than one person. Farming is still a significant land use and local employer. Herb Pot

CHAPTER FIVE Landscape

Nature reserves and natural habitats sharply with the potentially similar but taken up by local residents. The site adds heavily grazed acid grasslands of the New further green space for the village. Forest. Trees The parish adjoins the Inclosures and Mature trees and hedges are important unenclosed lands of the Forest to the south features within the confines of the village, and east. From here there is direct access providing views of trees wherever you are to the internationally important habitats in the parish. The presence of landmark and landscapes of the National Park. trees and woodland in and adjacent to the village gives it an immediate semi-rural Farmland appeal. These include a number of large Fletchwood Copse has a range of The farmland within the boundaries of remnant field oaks which form natural deciduous and conifer trees on a private Ashurst and Colbury Parish is valued by boundaries. estate owned by Winchester College. residents and provides an important area of open space. This is evident from A majority of resident responses Adjacent to the copse is Fletchwood questionnaire responses. commented on the particular appeal of Meadows, a Site of Special Scientific trees and there was a concern about Interest [SSSI]. Further information can There is a desire to prevent the residents removing trees from around their be found on the Hampshire and Isle of development of these green field areas. An properties without permission or Wight Wildlife website under 48 Nature example is Kneller’s Lane, a thin strip of consultation. Reserves. The SSSI comprises a series of countryside which acts like a natural unimproved, predominantly dry, loamy- boundary between Ashurst and West sandy meadows on the Bartley Water, with Totton. This is where the Ashurst and over 200 species of flowering plants Colbury Parish Council Allotment Gardens recorded. The site is the best example have been sited. Provision has been found known of a herb-rich meadow on acid soils for over 40 plots which have very quickly in the New Forest area and contrasts

Hedgerows • Records of all trees and hedges should The replanting of hedges and repair of be kept by the Parish Council and boundaries is important to the character of regularly checked. Ashurst & Colbury as is the planting of native field boundaries. Existing hedgerows should be maintained properly in order to become richer in wildlife. As an example they help to encourage the wide variety of bird species which are apparent all year round.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Natural areas and open countryside surrounding the built up areas should be conserved in order to maintain the diversity of wildlife and the landscape setting of the village.

• Existing mature trees and hedgerows should be retained wherever possible, and safeguarded from development. Where appropriate, important trees should be protected through Tree Preservation Orders.

CHAPTER SIX The Built Environment

Settlement pattern and character A group of roads with older properties are The village has a variety of mature Kneller’s Lane, Pound Lane, Woodlands detached houses on the main A35 road and Road and Peterscroft Avenue, Ash Road, in the Woodlands Road and Wharton’s Holly Beech and Fir Road and the variety of detached and semi detached properties Lane areas. These properties are built in a variety of styles and use a range of date from Edwardian times. Some are building materials for roofs and fascias. architecturally designed and distinctive. 1, 2 and 3 Colbury Cottages, 1860-69 They are usually set well back from the road and enclosed by walls, fences or The Heron estate was built in the 1980’s hedgerows. and this is located between St. Josephs and the Recreation Ground. This is a small There is a large estate built in the 1950’s development of detached houses. and 60’s known as the Bratcher Bungalow estate which is situated between the A35 In addition there are a number of unlisted historic buildings which make a positive and the Southampton to Ringwood railway contribution to the character of the village line . The estate is characterised by wide Ashurst Hospital and Chapel, 1874 and are of particular interest locally. roads with grass verges and low stone During the public consultation it was walling, known as garden walling, to the In the recent years development has seen suggested these should not be altered, front of properties. It is well maintained the replacement of small dwellings by extended or demolished. and people take pride in their environment. large properties of varying shapes and

The estate follows the contours of the land sized. At times these do not enhance the Foxhills, which borders the railway line, and bungalows have been built at high area and are of disproportionate size to the includes an assortment of houses, points. There is a sense of space and rural setting. bungalows and older detached properties, openness with many front gardens being some built with the distinctive light laid to lawn with borders and mature New development should blend into the coloured Beaulieu brick shrubs. rural character. Existing mature trees and

hedgerows are valued features in the properties with high hedging or timber Extensions and conservatories village and should only be removed in panelling fences exceptional circumstances, and not for purely cosmetic reasons.

Materials for buildings

Many house owners have chosen to add to

their properties by building a conservatory. These may be allowed under “permitted development” but is always best to check The majority of older properties are brick with the National Park Authority Planning built with slate roofing. They have lawned Department. A significant proportion of areas to the front of the properties and a the bungalows on the estate built by number have two storey extensions which Bratcher have an extension, a conservatory are matched to the original building or both. Although the frontage with lawn materials. or gravel is quite uniform it is noticeable that the original roof space has often been Most new built houses and bungalows are Affordable housing used to provide additional living brick built with slate or tiled roofs. A large Affordable housing for local residents is an accommodation as evident with dormer or proportion of the bungalows between the area of concern and the Parish Council is velux windows to the front or rear of the A35 and the railway line have been investigating its provision through property. Many of the roof extensions are rendered and are neutral in colour. Walls exception sites. Appropriate development sympathetic to the design but others are to the front are of brick or light coloured could be flats or small properties for local not. stone. There are a number of older elderly residents to downsize.

Solar panels and windows RECOMMENDATIONS of trees and longer views across the Planning permission is not required for village. solar panels unless they protrude more • New development should follow the than 20 centimetres from the roof. This established building line with front • The scale, form and mass of any new policy does not apply in conservation gardens enclosed by appropriate development should be in keeping with areas. boundary treatments or abutting up to surrounding buildings and be the back of the pavement. sympathetic to the character, appearance and rural outlook of the • The repair and reuse of older buildings village. should be encouraged first, rather than re-development, in order to retain the • Any new development should be character of the village. designed to take into account the current infrastructure of drains, ditches • Development should not impinge on and streams and make the most of the linear form and character of existing natural drainage. Ashurst & Colbury. • Boundary treatments should reflect the • The character of buildings of local rural setting of the village. The use of historic interest should be retained native species hedgerows, low open wherever possible in any new timber fencing, natural stone walls or development. other traditional boundary types should be encouraged. • Buildings should be constructed of materials which match or complement those currently in use in the nearby area.

• Important gaps between buildings should be retained to ensure glimpses

CHAPTER SEVEN Highways, Traffic and Transport

Traffic and parking Parking on the verges is not encouraged Unnecessary signage and street furniture Ashurst and Colbury is served by the A35 and residents have stated that they wish to should be avoided to reduce “road clutter”. and A326, which are both major road maintain their grassed verges. For example within the length of the routes, but the village still has a rural feel village there are 137 signs. with many trees and hedgerows. Road markings Traffic has increased since the introduction Clear road markings were essential outside of the right hand turn at Colbury, which at the schools in Foxhills. Hampshire County peak times takes additional traffic from the Council also saw the necessity to put M27 into the New Forest. However recent dragon’s teeth on the north side of Foxhills 30mph restrictions have made access onto to stop the damage to the rural scene. the A35 easier for residents. Periodic use of a speed indicator device has revealed that drivers are still travelling over the speed limit.

The majority of properties are built with off-road parking, although some areas Traffic signage around the ‘shop precinct’ are in need of There is a significant amount of signage additional parking. The side roads on the Public transport particularly on the A35 with tourist estates are also often are congested with The village is fortunate in having its own information signs and speed limits signs. parked cars, especially those roads with railway service. From here commuting to Businesses are not permitted signs for nursing homes. London is available and there is easy advertising, nor are they encouraged to use access to the facilities of Southampton or the highway for advertising their wares. the open spaces of the New Forest.

There is also a regular bus service into The only footpath is Number 726 Street lighting Southampton or Lymington, which [0.14miles]. This suggests that Ashurst There is a desire to maintain current street currently runs every hour. has less than any other parish in lighting or replace with lighting of a more Hampshire. It runs from Foxhills, across appropriate design. the railway line to Bartley Water and into Netley Marsh. In areas which are more rural the street lights should remain as they are to avoid more light pollution. Residents felt that here fewer street lights would be appropriate and there was concern expressed about extremely bright security lights.

Pavements, footpaths and cycleways Roads and pavements are constructed of modern tarmac with concrete kerbing. The area around the village is well tended and easily accessed by roads and footpaths. There is good access and connectivity between the shops and countryside and public footpaths.

A major cycle track was constructed in Drains and gullies There is an effective system for reporting 2010 from Ashurst to Lyndhurst. There are other cycle tracks in the village but blocked gullies, and these will usually be these are shared with paved areas. cleared within seven days unless there is a problem with gully itself, in which case the work may take longer.

• Infrastructure, like telecommunications masts, should not impact on the views within the Parish.

Ditches form a natural part of local • The current levels of street lighting drainage system. They contribute to the should be maintained, and in the more character of the village and should be rural areas of the village reduced where maintained to prevent flooding. The possible. ditches run beside the A35 and along Whartons Lane, where the residents maintain them and in some instances use planting to enhance their appearance.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Road-side verges of grass or other natural vegetation should be maintained wherever possible, in preference to concrete kerbing, asphalt or other hard surfaces.

• Signage, street furniture and road markings should be kept to a minimum.

• Greater effort should be made to place overhead cables underground, particularly in residential areas.

Appendix 1 SOME OF THE VIEWS OF RESIDENTS Preserve all Do not take down

the fields and the small walls or Speed bumps

rural area have large in Whartons

Keep car parks free along gravelled or paved Lane Limit parking on Whartons roads in residential Lane area.

Please keep the trees and green Keep it rural areas in the village and plant areas with wild flowers

Open the Chapel for visitors. Need to know more

about historic buildings in the village and how Improve Limit number of to keep them. signage two storey garages that look like additional

dwellings Protect the open Regeneration spaces, and protect

rather than the Recreation Maintain development ground approach to Village 17

Appendix 2 new material was added and the second The draft was typed and given to each LIST OF CONSULTATION EVENTS draft was put together. Councillor for their views. FOR THE VILLAGE DESIGN July 2011 and update February 2012 STATEMENT Meeting with New Forest District Council G.I.S. Department in regard to maps. Draft sent to Paula Freeland, Specialist At the Parish Council village fete. An February 2011. Services Manager, and Nick Evans, Senior individual stall was made available, Policy Officer, at the New Forest National explaining the purpose of a Village Design Advertised in the local Parish Council Park Authority. February 7th 2012 Statement and its use within the Parish and newsletter. This newsletter is delivered the National Park. September 2010. free by volunteers to every house in Second meeting with New Forest National Cards were given to visitors to write their Ashurst and Colbury so every resident had Park Authority. After entering their views and requests for volunteers. the opportunity to take part. There was the analysis of the first draft, further material Views to be coordinated by Councillor offer of transport if residents had difficulty was suggested, including the National Park Hubbard. in getting to a meeting. planning policies. February 14th 2012. Two articles November 2010 and April Councillor Hubbard gave feedback from 2011. The full document was released on the the Village Design Stand at the fete to Parish Council Website in draft form, Parish Councillors. November 2010. Councillor Hubbard gave a talk on the again requesting information or correction Village Design Statement to the local to what has already been put forward. By an agenda item at Parish Council Community Group and requested views. February 8th 2012. Public meetings. The Agenda is June 2010. advertised in notice boards around the Received two emails with constructive village so that residents could come and Councillor Hubbard wrote individual views on the Village Design Statement. give their views in Public Participation. letters to all businesses in the Parish. February 13th 2012 Total of 17 meetings [7 in 2010] [10 in Councillor Hubbard also spoke informally 2011]. with residents after Council meetings. Special meeting solely for the Village December 2010 through to January 2011. Design Statement held one hour before Village Design Statement committee met Council meeting. 5 people attended out of with New Forest National Park for advice a population of over 2000. No comments on the first draft. Following comments from Councillors, only congratulations.

Residents comments:- Change the word Councillor Hubbard reported at the Public brick to stone for the walls abutting the Parish Council meeting and asked roads – keep the green verges – buses to Councillors if they preferred Landscape or use the A35 and the small roads this would Portrait for the final format. Councillors make life easier for disabled people – voted in favour of landscape. mention 106 policy – no cycling signs in the recreation round. 16th June 2012 Mr. & Mrs. Oliver - -Mr. & Mrs. Cooper – Meeting of the Village Design Statement Mr. Williams. February 21st 2012 Final format and proof reading.

Emails from residents with their views. Three Councillors have met on regular Seven email from resident with bases to develop the Village Design constructive criticism. 17th March 2012 Statement up to its present state.

Meeting held with committee to collate all views after special meeting and emails The 1964 New Forest Act defined the rd from article in the newsletter. 3 May perambulation of the Forest, a term used to 2012 describe the official area boundary and land enclosed within. Meeting with Paula Freeland and Nick Evans to update on progress of the Village The picture shows the New Forest th of Design Statement. 13 May 2012 perambulation [green], compared to today’s National Park [red] Meeting with committee to finalize the Village Design Statement before Full statutory powers for a National Park th presenting to the National Park. 15 May commenced from 1st April 2006 2012

Appendix 3 b) development respects the natural and Policy DP6 Design Principles RELEVANT PLANNING POLICIES built environment, landscape character and All new development will be required to biodiversity. achieve the highest standards for the The New Forest National Park Core c) materials are appropriate to the site and design, external appearance and location of Strategy and Development Management its setting new development within the National Policies Development Plan Document d) amenity is not adversely affected in Park, with particular regard to: (December 2010) includes the following terms of additional impacts, visual a) enhancing the built heritage of the New policies relevant to this VDS: intrusion, overlooking of shading. Forest. e) no adverse impacts associated with b) designing out crime through the use of Policy CP2 The Natural Environment. traffic or pollution [including noise and Secured by Design principles and Proposals should protect, maintain and light pollution. standards. enhance nationally, regionally and locally f) car parking c) ensuring new development is accessible important sites and features of the natural g) open space where appropriate environment, including habitats and h) the Code for Sustainable Homes d) ensuring new residential development species of biodiversity importance, takes account of the lifetime homes geological features and the water Policy CP7 The Built Environment principles where appropriate. environment. Proposals should protect, maintain and e) ensuring all new development enhance nationally, regionally and locally incorporates sound sustainable design and Policy DP1 General Development important sites and features of the built construction principles and good Principles. environment, including local vernacular environmental practices. All new development and uses of land buildings, archaeological sites and within the National Park must uphold and designed landscapes. The document goes onto state that promote the principles of sustainable development whether of a traditional or development. New development proposals Policy CP8 Local Distinctiveness modern design should be sympathetic and must demonstrate high quality design and Built development and changes of use in keeping with its surroundings. New construction which enhances local which would individually or cumulatively Buildings should have a low (or no) carbon character and distinctiveness, ensuring: erode the Park’s local character or result in footprint and all new development should a) development is appropriate and a gradual suburbanising effect within the make a positive contribution to the sympathetic in terms of scale, appearance, National Park will not be supported. National Park particularly through its form, siting and layout. design , scale and layout.