Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 1 1

The Fordingbridge Community Forum acknowledges with thanks the financial support provided by the New Forest District Council and Awards for All towards the production of this report which was designed and printed by Phillips Associates and James Byrne Printing Ltd. CONTENTS LIST ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

As an important adjunct to the Fordingbridge 1 Introduction 2 Health Check, work began on a Town Design Statement for Fordingbridge in 2005. A revised 2 Historical context 3 remit resulted in a fresh attempt being made in 2007. To ensure that the ultimate statement would 3 Map of area covered by this Design Statement 5 be a document from the local community, an invi- tation was circulated to many organisations and 4 The Rural Areas surrounding the town 6 individuals inviting participation in the project. Nearly 50 people attended an initial meeting in 5 Street map of Fordingbridge and Ashford 1 9 January 2007, some of whom agreed to join working parties to survey the area. Each working party 6 Map of Fordingbridge Conservation Area 10 wrote a detailed description of its section. These were subsequently combined and edited to form 7 Plan of important views 11 this document.

8 Fordingbridge Town Centre 12 The editors would like to acknowledge the work carried out by many local residents in surveying 9 The Urban Area of Fordingbridge outside the the area, writing the descriptions and taking pho- Town Centre 18 tographs. They are indebted also to the smaller number who attended several meetings to review, 10 Bickton 23 amend and agree the document’s various drafts.

11 Ashford 24 The Fordingbridge Community Forum also acknowledges with thanks the advice and guid- 12 Tinkers Cross and Burgate 25 ance provided by officials from the New Forest District Council and Planning Aid South whose 13 Guidelines 27 knowledge and experience informed the process and preparation of the Statement. The street map Appendix 1: Design Related Issues 29 of Fordingbridge and Ashford (1) is reproduced by kind permission of Codair Design and Publicity Appendix 2: References 32 Ltd.

Appendix 3: Consultation Process 33

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 1 1. INTRODUCTION our own area. The recommendations included suggest areas or aspects capable of improvement and could act as a spur to the community action t is well over ten years since the concept of the necessary to secure them. I local design statement was launched nationally. Since then there has been a steady progression The statement itself will be open to review in the of statements covering towns and villages across years ahead, when a new generation will recon- the country. Each one represents a substantial vol- sider these matters. It is the hope of those who ume of hard work by volunteers who have looked have prepared this statement that their efforts will hard at the character of their own localities and assist the development of Fordingbridge in a way tried to describe them in terms readily understood that secures its essential nature, and that it will by others. In so doing they have highlighted provide insight and encouragement to those who aspects that are important to the well-being of the will take up this task in the future. community and should be considered when improvements or further developments are considered. They have also noted matters of concern, Note 1 indicating aspects that are capable of improvement. The statement has been prepared by a group of volunteers, members of the Fordingbridge A town design statement is not intended to Community Forum, drawn from many back- replace existing planning policies, some of which grounds, none of whom had previous experience are listed in the reference section. Nor is it a sub- of drafting a document of this kind. It is offered stitute for the protection given to the two partic- as ‘the people’s voice’ and may contain, therefore, ular areas of Fordingbridge through conservation terminology and phraseology that are not ‘plan- area status. Once adopted by the local planning ning speak’. However, its authors have made authority as a Supplementary Planning Document, every endeavour to write the statement in terms it allows the local voice to be heard when appli- that will be clear to both lay and professional read- cations within these policies are considered. The ers. intention, though, is not to fix the area in a 20th / 21st century time warp. Such an intention would Note 2 be quite contrary to the varied building styles that indicate the town’s gradual development over sev- A Guideline sets down design principles that will eral centuries. It is important that this sense of the normally apply based on the distinctive local char- town as a living organism is maintained, as the var- acter of a town or village. Once a design state- ied styles give both opportunity for diverse occu- ment has been adopted as a Supplementary pancy and an overall richer environment for its Planning Document, guidelines become a material inhabitants. A town design statement can thereby consideration when planning applications or help to shape the nature of developments so that appeals are being considered. they fit within the rural or built environment for which they are proposed. The Fordingbridge A Recommendation expresses a matter of con- Design Statement should therefore become a val- cern that the local community wishes to bring to ued reference source for the local planning the attention of the relevant authority with a view authority,the New Forest District Council, when it to influencing policy in a way that will secure considers applications for new development and appropriate action to achieve the change sought. for significant alterations to existing properties.

It should be consulted by those seeking design Note 3 guidance to prepare development proposals that will be acceptable, and also by local property Appendix 1 offers an overview of design related owners considering alterations to their premises issues. The remit of a design statement sets the that require planning consent. parameters of what may be included in a supplementary planning document. The matters The statement may also help local residents to referred to in the Appendix fall outside those look more appreciatively at the physical fabric of parameters but are clearly concerns of impor-

2 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement tance to the community. They cover issues: most of the medieval town of which only traces of broad concern to the community; exist but did not lead to extensive redesigning of not readily conveyed by the more detailed and its basic layout. The town today, therefore, is pri- very local descriptions in much of the state- marily a post 1750 development on the medieval ment; and, structure. It carries within it most of the small relating to the development of future policy, town building styles favoured at various times some of which arise from the draft Local since. As has been noted, planning regulation has Development Framework (LDF) for the period deterred the worst types of urban sprawl. As with 2006-2026. the earlier part of the town, the development that has been permitted bears the architectural style For these reasons, it is considered that, though not and preferences favoured over the decades. formally part of the design statement, they should be held together with it, expressing as they do Towards the end of the Victorian period, the town both concern and hope. gained prominence as a centre for tourism not least because of its annual regatta which at the 2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT time was as important as Henley. This was strengthened by the convenient access provided ometimes known as the Northern Gateway by the railway, the station for Fordingbridge being S to the New Forest, Fordingbridge now stands at Ashford. With increased personal mobility just outside the boundary of the New Forest extended by the motor car, the town’s role as a National Park. Boundaries are not unimportant. It commercial centre declined though its shops and is important, however, to note that they are a facilities remain important for many in the sur- human creation for the convenience of ownership rounding villages. Its tourist potential has sur- and administration. Landscape itself knows noth- vived both the demise of the regatta and the clo- ing of them. sure of the railway.

So the location of Fordingbridge is to be seen Among the features valued by many people is the within its natural, not its administrative, context. spread of open spaces throughout the town. Chosen as early as pre-Roman times as the most Many of these are public space with some includ- suitable crossing point on this stretch of the river ing small recreational provision for younger chil- Avon, the town’s name introduces this long histo- dren. The largest public space is the recreation ry. ‘Forde’,as it is described in the Domesday Book ground that borders the eastern bank of the river within the manor of Nether (Lower) Burgate, was Avon. This has been enhanced over the years extended at a later date to include the increasing through updated facilities and some,albeit limited, importance of this mediaeval town now riverside walking. It is now an attractive sporting approached from the east over a fine stone bridge. venue which doubles up for particular events, The town sits primarily on the gravel terraces some of which are drawn to the town by its avail- along the river’s west bank, this alignment deter- ability, excellent situation, and the willingness of mining its linear structure. the town council to welcome well-organised event use. Such use also brings economic benefit The town is approached from all directions to the town. through countryside and villages, a setting that determined its character as both a market town It may be stating the obvious to say that the town’s and the centre of a number of small industries sup- position and the broad range of facilities are plying local needs, such as brick making, ticking important elements in its attractiveness. and milling. Planning legislation following the However, this should not be underestimated. The Second World War has limited the town’s expan- public consultation undertaken as part of the sion and preserved its essentially rural context. It research for the statement made it very clear that is vital to the integrity of the town that this pro- the town plays a very important part in the life of tection be maintained. neighbouring communities through its ability to service the needs of the area. The structure of the town bears witness to its long history. The extensive fire in the 1700’s destroyed

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 3 Recommendation: An important objective with- design and practical skills of its builders. Many of in planning policy should be the maintenance of these are noted in detail in the full conservation a vibrant community with a diverse retail com- area statement, and a similar document covers ponent. Bickton. The town design statement does not attempt to repeat the details given in the two con- The quality of the town’s built environment is of servation documents but, by setting both areas in equal importance. The central area of this has their wider context, relates closely to them and been afforded conservation protection for many should be read alongside them. years. Though commercial pressures have forced significant changes,possibly abetted in the past by The story of Fordingbridge is not ended. It is inadequate historical and architectural under- essential, for the well-being of the town, its imme- standing, conservation area protection has diate area, and for the local communities that sur- ensured that such ‘modernisation’ has not round it, albeit that some are several miles distant, removed all evidence of the town’s historic devel- that the care given by this generation to its built opment. The built environment retains many fea- environment and rural setting help to maintain tures that reveal how the town grew up, and the what is good and to improve what is not.

4 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 3. MAP OF AREA COVERED BY THIS DESIGN STATEMENT

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 5 4. THE RURAL AREAS al activities, with the formerly open pastures now increasingly divided by post and wire fencing. For SURROUNDING THE TOWN the most part hedging is still the preferred option for roadside boundaries though in some places Description this has been replaced with post and wire.

Fordingbridge is an ancient town situated on the To the east of the town, a small number of River Avon. It is approached from north and south dwellings lie along Southampton Road. Most were along the river valley, from the east through the built before 1900 and are of brick construction New Forest, and from the west through the west with slate roofs. Terraced cottages line both sides Hampshire and east Dorset villages. The town of the road immediately to the east of the Avon itself is compact, spanning several centuries of Bridge and are succeeded on the northern side by gradual development. It is set in the midst of a semi-detached houses built in the second half of rural area containing a few hamlets, and smaller the 20th century. The Victoria Rooms, again con- residential areas gathered round farms and former structed in red brick with slate roof, occupy the agricultural holdings. final portion of the development on the southern side. Thereafter,the area is bisected by the by-pass Of the hamlets, Bickton – approximately one mile with some housing nestling in its south-western south of the town – is traversed by the river Avon aspect. Beyond the by-pass is the petrol station with Hucklesbrook lakes to its south west. The and shop, car sales site, workshop and the East lakes, the result of a managed regeneration plan Mills depot of the Environment Agency. Opposite following years of mineral extraction, comprise a the petrol station is a small nursery. The few series of linked waters with grassed banks of remaining properties to the town’s boundary broadleaved trees and shrubs creating an area of along the escarpment below the Sandy Balls holi- spectacular natural beauty and a haven for day complex are a mixture of residential and agri- wildlife. The fields in this area are mainly mead- cultural dwellings. ows used for grazing and the production of hay. They are separated by hedgerows with areas of To the east of the light coppicing. town but on the northern side of the The river Avon is one of Avon is the early 19th the most significant chalk century Burgate streams in the UK, with Manor which is now over 180 species of plants, the base for the one of the most diverse Game Conservancy fish populations, and a Trust. Still to the east, wide range of aquatic but on the southern invertebrates. Its impor- side, a little way Burgate Manor tance is recognized both down the Ringwood nationally as a Site of Road, lies the former Redbrook Farm and its atten- View across the River Avon towards the New Forest Special Scientific Interest dant brick built cottages with slate roofs. This [SSSI] and within Europe as eastern area of the town includes five listed build- a Special Area of Conservation [SAC]. ings. Historic use of this waterway has resulted in extensive water meadows to the north east and To the north west of the town is a rectangular the south of the town. These have an important tract of land bounded by Whitsbury Road, Marl seasonal role for both agriculture and drainage Lane and the former railway that divides it from management along the river valley. Views across the developed area of Parsonage Park. The tract is the water meadows provide important vistas from divided in one dimension by Puddleslosh Lane, the western escarpment of the National Park. For and in the other by Sweatsford Water. Primarily these reasons,there is a strong case to be made for devoted to livestock grazing, with some of the the retention of the water meadows. Elsewhere, paddock sub-division now increasingly a charac- much of the agricultural land has changed use teristic of the town’s rural aspect, it is part of the from traditional grazing to equine and recreation- Western chalk downland. Gently undulating, with

6 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement copses of indigenous broadleaf woodland, it bor- Access ders the Water’s flood plain which has a number of lakes within it. In many ways, this tract of land There are many footpaths throughout the whole is one of those least affected by the growth of the rural area of Fordingbridge, some of which are town. ancient localized routes linking farms or hamlets. Considerable work has been done in recent years Ashford, to the west of the town and a settlement by the Footpaths Society in conjunction with in its own right, developed with the arrival of the Hampshire County Council and local landowners railway. The station provided both its raison d’être to improve access to and the and determined its character as a significant sup- quality of some of these foot- ply route into the town. It is separated from the paths. More substantial and of town by a Local Gap, a designated planning con- recent development is the trol that severely restricts development to con- Avon Valley Way. Linking serve the character of an area with important land- Salisbury with Christchurch scape or other features. The physical gap between through a continuous foot- town and settlement offers views of open farm- path that wends its way down land and meadows criss-crossed by water courses the Avon valley,the Way enters – primarily Ashford Water – that are now of major Fordingbridge across the importance in the flood relief measures for the View northwards showing meadows water meadows at Burgate, near the Avon Valley Way town centre. [For these and other rural vistas, see passes through the town centre section 7.] to enter the countryside again just below St Mary’s church. It continues down the west side of the Beyond Ashford to river valley until leaving the town towards the south west, Harbridge. It thus provides access to some of the adjacent to the loveliest countryside within the town’s boundary county boundary, with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. there is little built environment, the Environmental note countryside retaining its essentially Now is the time, belatedly but perhaps as never pastoral character. before, to emphasise the importance for the rural Roadsides and environment of safeguarding and encouraging View from Bickton towards Midgham Wood fields are bounded habitats that support healthy populations of flora by mostly high and fauna. Agricultural needs will undoubtedly hedges. Midgham Farm is the only large complex change, as they have done over the centuries, and of buildings, some of which are subject to use these will determine how the countryside is man- diversification. Midgham Wood and Midgham aged. This management must recognise that ‘bio’ Long Copse form an extended elongated stretch systems inter-depend to such an extent that if of mixed woodland along a north/south axis to wildlife is suffering because of loss of habitat, it is the east of the farm buildings. Further to the certain that humans too are suffering for, in truth, east, beyond the woodland, a patchwork of our habitats are the same even if our needs differ. fields separated by long established hedge rows with frequent mature deciduous trees (see Changes of Use Guideline G4), slope downwards to the banks of the Avon. The lower terrain is traversed by sever- The importance of retaining ‘green corridors’ is al streams that flow into the Avon in the region of noted elsewhere in this design statement. Green Bickton. Within this area, on the opposite bank corridors connect habitats and allow the move- and slightly to the north of Bickton, just below the ment across landscapes that is critical for species southern end of the town itself is the sewage treat- survival. However, just as important, and perhaps ment works. even more so, is the retention of hedgerows which form narrow corridors necessary for some species to have the mobility that ensures healthy reproduction. In many places such corridors have

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 7 already been removed through the impact of important diversity of landscape and habitat with- development. The damage resulting from their in the overall environment. No part is too small to destruction can be somewhat compensated for if be without importance within the whole. the importance of the domestic garden is also acknowledged. Gardens offer wildlife an enor- Large tracts of land around Fordingbridge are held mous variety of mini environments that could within long established mineral rights agreements prove critical to species survival if the effects of for the extraction of gravel, and the possibility of climate change are as serious as predicted. Their future gravel extraction in this area cannot alto- treatment as brown-field sites for potential devel- gether be precluded. Mineral rights have been opment should be resisted. implemented with vigour further down the Avon Valley, not least in the Blashford and Ibsley areas The current trend to turn an increasing amount of immediately to the south of Fordingbridge. Here arable and grazing land into post and wire fenced there are currently both working gravel pits and a paddocks for equine use must also be regarded series of former workings that have been allowed with deep concern. Whilst providing a leisure and to flood in the interest of wild life conservation, recreational facility for some, their expansion con- and for leisure use. Such use of former excava- stitutes a double assault on an eco-system that has tions would be termed “restoration” by the plan- nourished the countryside for centuries. The ning community, meaning ‘make fit for a useful replacement of hedgerows with post and wire purpose’. Restoration of gravel workings does not destroys a ‘corridor’ habitat that will take decades necessarily mean restoring the landscape to the to reverse should usage change, whilst the degra- pasture that was once the character of the site. dation of the soil through intensive grazing has the same impact on wildlife, though not so visible. The Hampshire Minerals Plan does specify the Current planning legislation is supportive of land form of restoration required following land-won usage for equine purposes sand and gravel extraction. The Restoration and but stresses the impor- Comment section within the Regulation 26 tance of ‘maintaining envi- Consultation suggests a bias towards allowing for- ronmental quality (includ- mer workings to flood with associated wetland. ing soil quality) and coun- Fordingbridge already has extensive wetlands in tryside character’. Within the water meadows alongside the river Avon and the policies covering diver- the many rivers and streams that drain through the sification and equine use, area into it. It is unlikely that the creation of fur- there are provisions relat- ther hydrated areas will do anything to enhance ing to field division, etc. the character and amenities of the town. These appear to be largely It is noted that the current Hampshire Minerals View of paddocks for equine use unknown or ignored. Plan (valid until 2020) does not include extraction from sites in the Fordingbridge area. However, it See Guideline 4.1 concerning changes is recommended that any future applications for of use in rural areas mineral extraction should be accompanied by a clear statement about the nature of the restora- Mineral Rights tion intended when the resource is worked out, such restoration needing to sit comfortably with- Geologically,much of Fordingbridge is situated on in the area described in the town design state- valley gravel with some plateau gravel where the ment. In the spirit of consultation with local ground rises to the east and south west. In addi- communities that is the raison d’être for the tion,there are areas of Bagshot Sands,London Clay Fordingbridge statement itself,it is much to be hoped and Reading Beds. The river valley itself includes that there will be extensive consultation with the large areas of alluvium that is periodically local community before restoration policy is agreed refreshed by seasonal and flash flooding. This var- between the Hampshire County Council and the ied geophysical base makes for a variety of mini- licence holders. environments, some of which are replicated more extensively in surrounding areas. Far from dimin- ishing their significance, this variety allows an

8 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement

5. STREET MAP OF FORDINGBRIDGE AND ASHFORD

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Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 9 6. MAP OF FORDINGBRIDGE CONSERVATION AREA

Note: This map is included to show the boundary of the Conservation Area. There has been some in- filling of new buildings and cul-de-sacs within this boundary since the map was produced in 1996.

10 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 7. PLAN OF IMPORTANT VIEWS

Views in or near the Town Centre (Section 8)

Views in the urban area of the town outside the town centre (Section 9)

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3 4 1

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 11 8. FORDINGBRIDGE (View No. 2) or from the recreation ground itself TOWN CENTRE (View No. 3). Ashford Water and Sweatsford Water meet at Knowles AREA SETTING AND LANDSCAPE Bridge on Provost Street, where there is a good Landmarks and Views view of both streams The area is in general flat, (View No. 4). and water plays a major part Ashford Water in its landscape. It is bound- Vegetation ed by the River Avon on one There are mature trees in the large gardens run- side, and the Ashford Water ning down to the river behind the High Street, and Sweatsford Water run Provost Street and Church Street, which form an through it, Ashford Water important aspect of the view of the town from the running parallel to Church recreation ground. The main Car Park contains a Street for about fifty yards number of mature trees, including a row of pol- beyond the Bridge. St Mary’s Church larded plane trees. The shrubs lining the parking bays have been hard pruned in order to maintain On each main thoroughfare into the central area the sight lines for approaching traffic. There is a there is a landmark building – some listed, some high hedge to the west, between the car park and not. From Ringwood the road passes the Victoria the hospital complex. Within the built environ- Rooms and then over the Great Bridge. Salisbury ment there are a number of trees and hedges Road enters the town by the Old Court House. which were planted From the south, from Alderholt, there is a view of many years ago and St Mary’s Church and from Sandleheath it is the may now have out- Avonway Community Centre. grown their original space; e.g. those in The views from the car park are unremarkable Church Street. In the apart from glimpses of the tower of the Old centre of the town Workhouse and the spire of the Town Hall. In the there are some small commercial centre of the town views are confined trees where the foot- to vistas running the length of the various major way is wide enough streets. Views along the narrow road called to form an amenity Roundhill at the back of the High Street have been Trees behind Barton’s Road space,but most of the spoiled by unsightly security fencing on a flat- buildings abut directly on to the footway. roofed extension to a bank.The only views of the However, some of the 19th century terraces in River Avon are from the recreation ground and Provost Street and Shaftesbury Street do have from the bridge. At the southern end of the High small front gardens.There are a number of trees in Street, at the junction with Provost Street, a pedes- the grounds of the hospital complex and a row of trian space facilitates the admiration of the tall trees along Sweatsford Water between Victorian town hall, and the adjacent row of 17th Shaftesbury Street and the start of the single track century shops. The view of St Mary’s Church look- section of Bartons Road. ing south from the Provost Street/West Street junction (View No.1) is marred by neglect of the open See Guideline 8.1 concerning trees spaces along Church Street and by parking. There is a view of the 19th century Methodist Church from Knowles Bridge on Provost Street. SETTLEMENT PATTERN The town is linear, with a single route running Views of the Water Courses south-west from the Old Court House at the junc- The Great Bridge allows crossing of the river and tion of Green Lane and Salisbury Street down to access to the Recreation Ground, but the only the central roundabout and then along the length view of the river is northwards from the footway of the High Street to its junction with Provost

12 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement Street. There the route lectures and other events. splits into two, the Also on this side of the river main south-westerly are a long-stay car park, the road continuing as recreation ground, memorial Provost Street and gardens, and playing fields. Church Street to St These are a popular asset to Mary’s Church, where the town, especially for visi- Church Street becomes tors in the summer months. Bowerwood Road lead-

ing to Alderholt (the Between Salisbury Street and Townhouses from the Bridge The end of the High Street B3078). The other the river is a recent 20th cen- branch is Shaftesbury Street, running in a westerly tury development of townhouses fronting on the direction. The majority of the commercial and river, with shops and flats on Salisbury Street. service properties in Fordingbridge are situated Roundhill links Salisbury Street to the High Street along these two routes. Properties on the east side behind the buildings to the west of the round- of the High Street have long gardens leading down about. Roundhill is a one-way street and is an to the river, except where original entrances to entrance to the main Car Park. At the junction the rear of the properties have been used to between Roundhill and Salisbury Street is King’s access small clusters of modern housing where Court, a 21st century development of flats for the original gardens have been developed. older residents.

The far ends of Provost Street and Shaftesbury To the west of the High Street lies the main car Street are linked by West Street. At West Street, park.This is extensive,accessed from Roundhill to Shaftesbury Street becomes Station Road and the the east, from Bartons Road to the north and from conservation area has its boundary here, just Avonway Community Centre in the south. It is beyond the Police Station, which is a listed build- large enough to meet the needs of visiting tourists, ing. Next to the Police Station is the modern Fire local residents and people from the outlying vil- Station, and behind this is a cul-de-sac of late 20th lages coming to Fordingbridge to shop. The Public century housing called Flaxfields End. Library – a mid 20th century building – is also situated next to the car park behind the shops in the There are several cul-de-sacs of contemporary High Street. housing off Church Street, Bowerwood Road, Shaftesbury Street,West Street and the south end West of the main car park are the Cadet Training of Bartons Road (Brook Terrace,Timbermill Court, Centre and the buildings forming the medical Mulberry Gardens, Bushells Farm, Padstow Place, complex. Bartons Road is a narrow street running Orchard Gardens,West Mills Road, Moxhams, Mill to the west of the hospital site to join up – via Court, Saddlers Close). Parsonage Close – with Green Lane, the road that marks the beginning of the central area on the There is also a short spur of commercial develop- northern side of town. ment along Bridge Street turning east from the central roundabout to the Great Bridge. This ends BUILDINGS AND DETAILS with the George Inn next to the river. The majority of properties on the east Beyond the Great side of the High Street were originally Bridge is an area 17th and 18th century domestic called Horseport. This dwellings, two-storey with steeply- consists of a small pitched ridged roofs running parallel to number of residential the street, many with dormer windows. properties, a garage, a These have subsequently been convert- filling station, a furni- ed to shops with storage/ accommoda- ture restoration busi- tion above. The 17th and 18th proper- ness, and the Victoria ties on both sides of the main streets Rooms which provide were later adapted to take shop fronts. Buildings in the High Street The Victoria Rooms a venue for meetings, Unfortunately few of the early shop fronts have

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 13 survived and most shop fronts are not sympathet- abutting directly onto ic to the buildings that now house them. In the the footway. 19th century purpose-built retail premises were Church Street leading built with accommodation above. There has been to the ancient parish some redevelopment that is unsympathetic to the church is also part of scale and appearance of the rest of the area, e.g. the Conservation Area the Co-op in the High Street, and the disused Post and also contributes to Office in Salisbury Street. the special nature of the town. There is a See Guideline 8.2 concerning shop fronts mix of properties dat- Unattractive rear of Avonway and Drill Hall ing from the 17th to Residents are often asked 20th centuries.There is a terrace of 19th century “what makes Fordingbridge properties and a variety of detached and semi- special?”. The High Street is detached houses most fronting directly on the undoubtedly the part of town street or with vestigial front garden areas. There used by most people, resi- are 18th century houses – possibly with 17th cen- dents and visitors alike, as it tury cores. The predominant style is ‘two and a contains a wide selection of half’ storeys with third floor in the roof area with shops and businesses. It is dormer windows. The roofs are steeply pitched part of the Conservation Area, and usually tiled, although one thatched property,

The disused Post Office and most of the pre-20th cen- at no’s 59-61, survives. Mulberry House (formerly tury buildings are listed. The the Old Vicarage) is listed, as are two other prop- variety of elevations combine to form a pleasing erties. There is a 21st century residential devel- collection of buildings,ending at the imposing and opment for older residents at Timbermill Court unique Town Hall. Enjoyment of the street scene behind Church Street. The Quadrant Almshouses is marred by the traffic, especially heavy lorries (1919) on the corner of Church Street and West going to the industrial premises to the west of the Street are half-timbered in appearance, but the town. design is sympathetic to the rest of the Church Street buildings. The terrace of houses on the Recommendation: Consideration should be Church Street/Provost Street boundary is of more given to a 20 mph speed limit along Salisbury modern construction but still in sympathy with its Street, Bridge Street, High Street, Provost Street, surroundings. Church Street and Shaftesbury Street. All these streets have narrow footways and pedestrians A major feature at the have to take extra care when two large vehicles junction of Bartons Road with protruding mirrors have to pass. and Shaftesbury Street is the old Victorian Church Primary School, now the At the southern end of the Avonway Community High Street is a varied collec- Centre. This has a hand- tion of buildings from many some frontage on periods dominated by the Shaftesbury Street but the Town Hall, originally built in side facing Barton’s road is 1878 as the home of the Loyal marred by a scruffy area Terrace in Shaftesbury Street showing New Forest Lodge of the currently used for parking. building details and low walls Ancient Order of Oddfellows. Between Bartons Road and the bank of Sweatsford Water is a row of detached houses, in an assort- In Shaftesbury Street there is Thatch in Church Street ment of styles probably most dating from the late an imposing large three-storey 19th and early 20th centuries. Several of the prop- 19th century commercial building for Sarum erties are thatched. All have gardens surrounded Insurance Brokers, the mid-20th century cinema by hedges and containing a number of mature building now used as a china factory and show- trees. room, and some 19th and 20th century terraced housing, some with very small front gardens, most

14 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement The medical complex consists of the 21st Century of the public footway. To the south of Arch Clinic Building, the late 20th century build- the town some of the buildings have ing housing Fordingbridge’s General Practitioners, low walls and hedges and fences, for the old 19th century Workhouse now used for out- example, one of the older terraces in patient clinics, and the late-20th century hospital Provost Street is set back slightly from building (Ford Ward). The Cadet Training Centre the road, with a low brick wall separat- has various early 20th century office buildings and ing a sliver of garden from the footway, a 1930’s drill hall and parade ground. but new terraces in this area have unfortunately not followed this pattern. Materials and features There is an attractive wall on St Mary’s Space in High Street Until the 1960’s many Church boundary. Boundary fences in the of the bricks used in Avonway area are in some cases in poor condition. Fordingbridge were Trees and hedges form the boundaries of the hos- made locally at pital area with gaps for access to the town centre Sandleheath. These through the car park. bricks are orange-red in colour with some show- In the area of newer and very new buildings in the ing shades of plum. West Street area, houses are set back in individual There is virtually no use front gardens behind hedges at the Church Street of stone in domestic or end and rails on the far side of Tanyard Bridge. The The Old Court House commercial buildings in block of flats for elderly residents in West Street this area, except in the Old Court House in has a narrow landscaped strip – without fence or Salisbury Street, a 17th century house having two- hedge – between the building and the footway, storey bay windows and stone dressings. A num- and the footway here has a raised central section ber of buildings have painted brickwork; a few with a protective handrail. have rendered bricks. See Guideline 8.4 concerning front boundaries St Mary’s parish church is constructed from stone and flint. OPEN SPACES

Most roofs are tiled, with clay tiles or with slates, Within the town centre and associated although many would previously have been streets there is only one open space for thatched. The roof pitch along the High Street is recreation, a children’s play area off significantly steeper than in other parts of the Flaxfields End. The main town open town, giving a more imposing image to the street. space is the recreation ground and play- However, there are only two thatched buildings ing fields on the east bank of the river. remaining, one in Church Street and one – the butchers - in Salisbury Street. The building at 45- There are several small spaces where seats and small trees have been installed to pro- 47 Salisbury Street has a slate-hung elevation. vide resting-places for shoppers and visitors: Space at Provost Street junction behind the Co-op, There is little particularly characteristic local in the High Street at the junction with Roundhill, detailing to buildings in Fordingbridge. There are at the Salisbury Street end of Roundhill, splayed, straight or segmented arches over win- either side of the car park entrance in the middle of dow openings, some with keystones, stone effect Roundhill. However, Roundhill is constantly busy window ledges, and many door canopies on con- with traffic cutting through or entering the car soles or brackets in Church, Provost and park, making this area unpleasant for pedestrians. Shaftesbury Streets. These features help to break up the flat fronts of the terraced properties. Recommendation: The small seating areas at both ends and in the middle of Roundhill and See Guideline 8.3 concerning new buildings the area at the back of the Co-op are valued by PROPERTY BOUNDARIES the community and should be maintained and, where possible, enhanced with better lighting to Within the central area of the town, many build- create a safer environment. ings have frontages that are on the line of the back

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 15 At the junction of High Street, Provost Street and that front directly on the Shaftesbury Street road realignment has created a street, do not have any space and given an opportunity to view the sur- parking space or rounding buildings. This has great potential to be garages. The density a focal point in the town, but parking and deliver- demanded in the newest ies, public, private, legal and illegal, detract from housing developments the enjoyment of this space. means that they have been built with the mini- STREETS AND STREET FURNITURE mum off-street parking.

The parking area in front Shops in Provost Street Footways of the shops at the northern end of Provost Street is inadequate for larger In the High Street pedestrians are often cars or vans,causing vehicles to overhang the foot- forced to move off the footway to allow way and force pedestrians into the roadway. others to pass and as a result are in dan- ger of stepping into heavy traffic.Along See Guideline 8.7 concerning Provost Street shops the western side of Salisbury Street some sections of the footway are The wide part of Church extremely narrow (28 cm) where Street close to St Mary’s pedestrians have to step into the road church frames an attrac- and even on the footway risk being hit tive view of the church by large vehicles. Dangerous footway from the direction of the town centre, but this See Guideline 8.5 concerning Salisbury view is marred by Street footway parked cars and over- grown trees. There are Crossing the Great Bridge can some attractive hedges, be difficult and dangerous for View along Church Street but little evidence of con- those with mobility problems tinuity or planning. There are a number of low and those with wheelchairs walls which may be intended to define the foot- and / or prams. This is further way, but these are intermittent, with no evidence exacerbated as there is no of controlled design and are frequently damaged pedestrian crossing on the town by parking cars. side of the river. Leaving the Great Bridge, there is very little At the junction of West Street, Church Street and width of footway as pedestrians Provost Street there is another area used Route across the Bridge walk towards the Recreation for parking, preventing access to, and any view of, Ground. Ashford Water which flows under West Street and along Church Street. The area is unkempt,at times See Guideline 8.6 concerning developments litter-strewn, with unsightly telegraph poles and close to the river lines, and poorly maintained trees and bushes. It Areas such as Church Street and Provost Street could be redeveloped as an open space, with new have footways on one side only. In Provost Street trees, flowers and seating, but the conflict new developments in some cases have service between demand for parking and the enhance- boxes and steps on the footways which can ment of the environment will have to be resolved. impede pedestrians as do the stays from telegraph A seating area in this location is particularly impor- poles. The unpaved area of Church Street has tant in view of its position between the shopping paths which are in poor condition, and both area and the residential developments for elderly unsightly and dangerous. people which are situated to the south and west of the town. Parking

Parking is a problem in most of the central area of town. Many of the older houses, especially those

16 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement Recommendations: There is a considerable amount The hedges and trees in Church Street should be of overhead electric cabling in pruned as appropriate.Walls should be repaired the area, and this detracts from and an area in front of St Mary’s Church the appearance of Church reinstated as an open space. Street, Provost Street and Roundhill, among others. In Efforts should be made to reduce parking in some places, such as at the Church Street and on the open area alongside north end of Provost Street, the Ashford Water. stay to hold a pole for overhead cables encroaches onto the foot- Dangerous stay in Provost Street The area on Provost Street alongside Ashford way in a dangerous manner. Water should be landscaped and seating provided. See general Guideline G.1 concerning overhead cables Street Furniture

In Church Street there are period- style lamp standards which are in keeping with the surroundings. These are also found in the Roundhill area. Otherwise the street lighting is modern and utili- tarian.

See Guideline 8.8 concerning streetlights

Lamp near St. Mary’s

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 17 9. THE URBAN AREA OF SETTLEMENT PATTERN FORDINGBRIDGE OUTSIDE There is one long north- THE TOWN CENTRE south through road in this area, made up of Normandy Way and Parsonage Park Drive. Almost all of this area is defined This is a fairly wide road, by the by-pass to the east, the lined with modern hous- alignment of the old railway line ing and some grass to the north, Marl Lane to the strips between footway west and the town centre to the and road. It is often south. Allenwater Drive used as a town centre by- pass when the High Street or Salisbury Street are The main area is split into two blocked by emergencies or for processions and distinct parts by Sweatsford street activities. Several roads branch off this Water,which runs from north to Sweatsford Water spine road. south leaving the area under Shaftesbury Street. This watercourse provides an Allenwater Drive is the longest, which itself has important ‘green corridor’ of trees, water mead- several short roads and courtyards branching off. ows, allotments and open spaces through the Most of the 1980’s houses and bungalows in this developed areas linking the countryside to the area have very small front gardens, single garages north into the centre of the town. to the side or integral with the house, with short driveways and rear gardens approximately equal THE AREA TO THE WEST OF in area to the building. Space is limited, leading to SWEATSFORD WATER problems with visitor parking at two-car homes and on the narrow roads. AREA SETTING AND LANDSCAPE Off Normandy Way are three courtyard develop- The residential developments to ments of detached houses with separate garages the west of Sweatsford Water or carports. Front gardens are small or non-exis- are set on gently undulating tent, but there is generous visitor parking. One of land, but views within this area these (Cottage Mews) lies within the town’s are mainly two dimensional, Conservation Area, as does the large old house whilst displaying a large amount called Parsonage House close by. of foliage and shrubbery that is both integral from the original Off Parsonage Park Drive are several short roads planning, and now spreading built in the 1970’s with wide roads,generous open View north from old railway from within peoples’ own gar- plan front gardens,but small back gardens.Parking dens. is not a problem in these streets.

From Marl Lane there are attractive views west- The only part of this area that is not already used wards over grazing land to the imposing building for housing or public open space lies between of Allenbrook Nursing Home (View No. 1). From Normandy Way and Marl Lane and comprises the old railway line there are views of Forres three fields visible from the lane. Marl Lane is an Sandle Manor School (View No. 2) and of the pas- un-adopted winding gravel lane that is mostly bor- ture land towards Whitsbury (View No. 3). dered by deciduous hedgerows that also contain a Interesting water features off Normandy Way are a variety of mature trees such as the oak in the illus- medieval moat in the grounds of Parsonage House tration. The lane is well used by walkers wishing and the Bishops Pond, a small nature reserve. to experience the countryside close to the town. Views in this area are dominated by a plantation of tall poplar trees in a water meadow east of See Guideline 9.1 concerning Marl Lane Normandy Way (View No. 4).

18 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement BUILDINGS AND DETAILS Normandy Way, where there are attractive 2-metre brick walls The development that took and thick shrub beds lining the place in the 1980’s along footway. Normandy Way and to the west of Parsonage Park Drive See Guideline 9.2 concerning (Allenwater Drive, Avon front boundaries Meade, Pealsham Gardens, Stephen Martin Gardens) Back boundaries are mainly a comprises semi and detached mixture of 2-metre wooden Normandy Way houses and bungalows. fences, in many places also forming the boundary

Marl Lane Predominantly the area is of to a public footpath or an open space. brick and tile. There are two types of local brick, and a proportion of the build- See Guideline 9.3 concerning ings have timber cladding stained dark brown, public footpaths whilst others are rendered, producing some variety within the whole. There are some old cottages OPEN SPACES on Marl Lane. Some of the large detached houses along Normandy Way are set sideways to the road Within the area there is a gener- into the rising land behind. One side of these ous proportion of open space, houses is next to the footway. Some have bay win- with large areas available for dows with dark timber framing and painted walls public use as playing fields, giving a Tudor effect. defined mainly by property boundaries, rather than having The area mainly bound- its own hard demarcation.These ed by Parsonage Park areas are behind Allenwater Drive and the Drive and along the old railway alignment. The original bridge Sweatsford Water con- Old railway bridge sists of bungalows and carrying Marl Lane over the rail- houses set back from way has been restored as an interesting feature. the roads, producing a more open frontage and See Guideline 9.4 concerning expansive appearance public open spaces (Mayfly Close, Willow Cottage Mews Avenue, Riverdale Close, STREETS AND STREET FURNITURE Meadow Close, Meadow Avenue, Meadow Court, Charnwood Drive and Oaklands Close). These The area from Parsonage Park buildings have low pitched roofs and large picture Drive to the boundary of the dis- windows, with mainly white frames. Many of the used railway line has a meander- semi-detached houses to the east of Parsonage ing enclosed nature, without Park Drive have white weatherboarding or tiles on continuous footways. The other the front upper elevation. In the Charnwood roads have a footway on each Drive area most houses have tile roofed porches to side. match the main roof, sometimes combined with an extended front room or a garage front also with The area has a number of roads roofs to match. These are successful in breaking with interconnecting passages Trees behind Park Road up the elevation of these properties. between,which encourage walking to the town for shopping and to the local PROPERTY BOUNDARIES schools. The lighting is modern in style, installed when the developments were built. In contrast to There are very few fences dividing the footways the housing area east of Sweatsford Water, there from front gardens. Many residents have planted are no poles supplying electricity or phone serv- shrubs or low hedges in their front gardens to pro- ices in this area. vide interest and some privacy. The exception is

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 19 1930’s as part of the expansion of housing north- THE AREA TO THE EAST OF wards. With the short Burnham Road this links SWEATSFORD WATER Salisbury Road with Whitsbury Road close to the junction with Parsonage Park Drive, and is there- AREA SETTING AND LANDSCAPE fore used extensively by cars wanting to reach the housing to the west of Sweatsford Water from the To the east of Sweatsford Water the land is flat,and A338 or from the Burgate schools. most properties do not have any views beyond their own road. The exceptions are properties in The housing lining these main roads has small Picket Close and Whitsbury Road which face or front gardens and large rear gardens (three times back onto the meadows and allotments alongside building area). This has encouraged small in-fill Sweatsford Water (View No. 5). There are a few developments, particularly in Waverley Road and large mature trees which provide some visual St Georges Road. This basic grid has been filled in interest in the area, especially those which have and added to by small housing developments of been retained in the open spaces of the modern mainly bungalows and semi-detached houses in development to the east of Salisbury Road (Manor cul-de-sacs. Park). Other trees in the boundaries of the large See Guideline 9.6 concerning gardens in Park Road, Alexandra Road and back-garden in-filling Waverley Road are important both visually and for nature conservation.There is an important avenue Pennys Lane (joining of tall lime trees along St Georges Road. Whitsbury Road and Waverley Road) provides See Guideline 9.5 concerning access to the Junior and St Georges Road Infants schools, and is crowded with parents’ SETTLEMENT PATTERN cars at the start and end of the school day. Access There are two main through to the schools is difficult roads in this area,Salisbury Road for large delivery vehi- (the main entry road to the Busy Pennys Lane cles. town from the north), and Whitsbury Road (which leads to Recommendation: Any new developments in the hamlet of Tinkers Cross and the north of this area should incorporate a ded- eventually to the village of icated access road to the junior and infant Whitsbury). schools in order to improve safety and accessi- bility. These two roads are joined by Path over Sweatsford Water several parallel east-west roads. BUILDINGS AND DETAILS The most southerly is Green Lane, leading from the town centre to Whitsbury Road and The Green Lane contains a mixture of properties; the Bartons.The first part is narrow,one-way and with- historic 17th century Old Court House at the cor- out adequate footways, despite being a major ner of Salisbury Road (in the conservation area), a access road to the Royal Mail sorting office and small crowded industrial estate, the Royal Mail the town car park. It leads on to a footpath across sorting office and telephone exchange, a residen- Sweatsford Water, which is a well-used pedestrian tial home converted from a large Victorian house, link to the housing on the west side of this stream. some small bungalows,a modern two-storey block The next two cross roads are Park Road and of flats, a small office building, a modern residen- Alexandra Road, built in the Edwardian era. These tial home, and some semi-detached houses form- now take exit traffic from the car park and ing part of the Picket Close development. Where through traffic from Whitsbury, but because most Green Lane crosses Sweatsford Water there is a of the Edwardian houses do not have driveways or fishing lodge which is included in the town con- garages street parking obstructs two-way traffic. servation area. The other link road is Waverley Road, built in the

20 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement Salisbury Road is lined designed to blend with the original Edwardian on its western side with houses. Parking is a problem, as the older proper- imposing two-storey ties often do not have garages or driveways.There brick Edwardian or is a motor workshop in Albion Road, which again Victorian properties suffers from lack of parking space. The north end with slate roofs in-filled of Albion Road has three blocks of modern two- with a variety of later storey flats facing a large grassed area. Queens bungalows and houses. Gardens is a 1970’s cul-de-sac off Alexandra Road At the town end there is consisting of semi-detached houses.

Green Lane a large modern brick- built three-storey block See Guideline 9.7 concerning of flats and the Catholic Church, both set well Edwardian properties back from the road. Behind the church is a large modern block of retirement flats. St Georges Road contains some pre- war semi-detached houses covered Between Salisbury Road and the by-pass is the in stucco individually painted in an Manor Park area - a residential area built in the avenue of large mature trees. These 1980’s - mainly of houses and bungalows in red houses have front-facing gables at brick.All properties have garages and other park- each end to break up the roofline. ing space, and are grouped around areas of lawn The road has been extended with a with some mature trees and shrubs. The houses variety of post-war modern bunga- have two-storey weather-boarded projections lows. Player Court off St Georges forming part of the bathroom and an entrance Road is a two-storey development of porch. These and the window frames in this devel- flats, mainly for older residents. opment are stained dark brown. Most of the build- Waverley Road consists of pre-war ings are set sideways to the roads, with small chalet bungalows and some more courtyards for car and pedestrian access. At the recent brick semi-detached houses south end of Salisbury Road are two blocks of flats with unusual central gables break- St Georges Road trees with three floors and a modern two-storey coming up the roofline. There has been plex of Sheltered Housing run by a Housing some back garden in-filling with more modern Association. bungalows. There is a group of cottage style semis at the corner of Waverley Road and Pennys Lane. Park Road, Alexandra These have steep roofs and dormer windows to Road and Albion Road the first floor rooms. Waverley Close is a small comprise a variety of development of modern bungalows obviously on detached and semi- land taken from gardens along Waverley Road. detached two-storey Edwardian properties Picket Close is a pre-1961 post war development about 100 years old, of brick semis on generous plots, originally with built of red brick (prob- no garages or driveways. This can lead to parking ably from the local problems and spoiling of grassed amenity spaces. Many have tile or lead-roofed bay windows break- Lyster Road, Manor Park Sandleheath brickworks) with slate roofs. ing up the front elevation. There is a block of flat- These buildings have distinctive stone-effect win- roofed garages along the edge of the allotments. dow ledges and lintels, chimneys with fancy brickwork,and bay windows.The larger detached hous- A later area of social housing was built post-1960 es often have projecting bays, some two-storey at the end of Pennys Lane, consisting of a mixture with gable end on the roof. Park Road itself is dis- of bungalows, three-unit terraces and semis in tinguished by two large Victorian/Edwardian red brick with large windows. Some of the houses brick houses characterised by their lead covered have tile-hung elevations between the first and spires which stand as sentinels at opposite ends of ground floor windows.There are some flat-roofed the road and on opposite sides. There has been garage blocks but many of the properties have no extensive post-war in-filling, usually in the style of driveways, leading to parking problems in the nar- the time, although the latest properties have been row roads.

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 21 Burnham Road, Dudley Avenue, ment are mainly 2-metre walls or fences, to pro- Hertford Close, Bedford Close vide privacy to the back gardens. and Merton Close. This is an area of 1970’s bungalows and Recommendation: Owners of tall hedges that semis with garages. The semis encroach onto the footway should be encour- have white weatherboarding aged to cut them back or replace them with under the very large first floor lower hedges, walls or fences. windows, and all the properties have large downstairs windows. OPEN SPACES

Dudley Avenue Several have been extended. Dudley Avenue has a very wide There are attractive area of grassed amenity land in front of the prop- grassed areas in front of erties. the houses in Picket Close, Waverley Close, The eastern side of Whitsbury Road has several Albion Road and Dudley Edwardian houses built at the same time and in Avenue. Some are the same style as those in Alexandra Road and Park spoiled by parking. The Road. Facing them is part of the Picket Close existing parking arrange- development with its own access road and a ment along Whitsbury grassed amenity area.Further north along the west Road of laybys and Walls in Alexandra Road side of Whitsbury Road is a row of chalet bunga- grassed areas protected by lows having their own private gravelled access wooden posts could be extended to the corner of road, hidden behind a tall fence and small trees. Picket Close and Whitsbury Road, to minimise parking on grassed areas. The latest development in this area is Burgate Fields. This con- The improved play area on the Whitsbury Road sists of 1980’s brick detached approach to the town is a much-needed recre- houses with linking garages, ational facility for younger children. Important with brown stained window environmental variety and enrichment is offered frames. Various colours of brick by: have been used, none being the red Sandleheath type. There is a the allotments to the west of Picket Close, large grassed amenity space the meadow between them and Sweatsford with flowering shrub borders. Water, and Burgate Fields The road is narrow and visitor the small plot of ground at the junction of parking therefore limited. Whitsbury Road and Parsonage Park Road that is now being managed in the interest of spring PROPERTY BOUNDARIES wild flower conservation.

The only “open-plan” areas are Burgate Fields and There is no space in this the Burnham Road/Dudley Avenue development. area for older youngsters Almost all the other roads have front property to play football in safety boundaries consisting of 1-metre fences, walls or or without annoying hedges. Some high front hedges exist (privet and other residents. They laurel) and these often take up footway space and have to walk through cause problems if not maintained. An important the town and across the feature of the old Edwardian properties is their low bridge to the recreation brick walls and brick gate pillars, topped with ground.

stone cappings. Back garden boundaries are a vari- Grass in Picket Close ety of hedges and fences, along which many medium height trees have been allowed to grow. These provide valuable food and nesting sites for wildlife. See Guideline 9.8 concerning new Because few of the Manor Park properties face a developments north of the town footway, the visible boundaries in this develop-

22 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement STREETS AND STREET FURNITURE SETTLEMENT PATTERN

Streets are mainly provided with footways on each The hamlet of Beckon has a recorded history dat- side of the carriageway (except for the old part of ing back to the Doomsday Book at which time its Albion Road, Green Lane and parts of Whitsbury population was greater than that of Fordingbridge. Road). There are several narrow paths linking Bickton is of a linear design probably dating back streets in this area as ‘short-cuts’.These encourage to the middle ages, centred around the 15th cen- walking to town and to the schools. tury manor house and now comprises 34 properties. Recommendation: Improvements to Green Lane should be considered to segregate pedestrians Bickton is in a Conservation Area to safeguard it from traffic, especially as this road is used by eld- from inappropriate development and alterations. erly people accessing several residential homes The individual buildings and the history of the in the area. hamlet are comprehensively described in the Conservation Area Appraisal, and therefore are Many of the properties only summarised in this document. in this area are supplied with electricity from The properties have spacious plots and most are overhead cables. This is well set back from the road. Land to the rear of extremely unsightly. The the properties backs onto farmland. Although the same poles are also used older thatched cottages and 19th century brick for telephone wires, houses are well separated throughout the hamlet, which makes the appear- the more modern in-filling has created a compact Wires in Albion Road ance even worse. Poles street giving the settlement the feel of a small are used to distribute close-knit community. telephone wires even where the electricity supply is underground.There have been instances of high BUILDINGS vehicles bringing down these wires. Where electricity is supplied overhead the street lights are The buildings are mainly two-storey houses of dif- often attached to the wooden poles. Otherwise fering sizes and a few modern bungalows. There modern lamp standards are used. are several old thatched houses, some with rendered and painted walls, some with brick walls, 10. BICKTON and one with an exposed timber frame in-filled with brick. The other houses and bungalows are brick built, many rendered and painted white and AREA SETTING AND LANDSCAPE some with tile hung elevations. Their roofs are slate on the older houses and tiles on the more Bickton is situated on modern ones.There are some pre-war corrugated flat land approximately outbuildings. one mile south of Fordingbridge town One of the medieval barns has been converted to centre. Ingress and residential accommodation. Another medieval egress to the hamlet is barn, mounted on staddle stones is used as farm obtained through an storage. At the west end of Bickton is situated the unclassified road lead- mill building. In recent years the granary section ing from the A338. The of the mill has been converted to apartments and hamlet is traversed from Bickton the mill and the mill house have been replaced. North to South by the The conversion and the new buildings blend River Avon, which is a Site of Special Scientific together to form an attractive group overlooking Interest, and part of the Avon valley walk from the mill pond. Several of the buildings in Bickton Salisbury to Christchurch. The west bank of the are listed as being of historic interest. river north of the old mill building is occupied by a fish farm, providing a rather untidy view of nets and fish feeders.

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 23 PROPERTY BOUNDARIES SETTLEMENT PATTERN

The front boundaries are vari- The development of this area probably started ous: brick walls (some painted) with the arrival of the railway in 1866, axed by with various vegetation cover, Beeching in 1964. The original properties are in picket fencing, hedging, and Station Road, Ashford Road and Victoria Road. some wire fencing. A few build- Station Road and its continuation towards ings have no front boundaries. Sandleheath is the only access route for lorries Rear gardens are divided by an serving the industrial estates in Ashford and assortment of trees,hedging and Sandleheath. Station Road in particular is not wooden fencing. quite wide enough for heavy lorries to pass safely.

Bickton Mill OPEN SPACES Jubilee Road was added in the 1930’s, followed by Jubilee Close in the 1960’s. These are situated to There are no public open spaces in the Bickton the west of Station Road and are bounded by the hamlet. However, the well-maintained wide grass disused railway line (now part of the verges in front of most of the properties give an Fordingbridge Business Park) to the south-east and impression of a compact hamlet set in a rural envi- Sandleheath Road to the north. ronment, and the large well-stocked gardens provide a rich habitat for wildlife and contain many Ashford Close, Falconwood Close, Rookwood trees which enhance the landscape. Gardens, Elmwood Avenue with Downwood and Brympton Close and Marbream Close. This area is STREETS AND STREET FURNITURE to the north of Station Road and was primarily built in the 1960’s, with the exception of Falconwood Close and Rookwood Gardens,1990’s The road is un-kerbed and in most of its length developments alongside the old railway align- through the hamlet has wide grass verges up to ment. The Augustus John pub and the Corintech the front boundaries of the properties. There are factory are to the south of this area. no streetlights, and the overhead utility supply is less obtrusive than in Fordingbridge because there Victoria Gardens, Beechwood and The Pantiles is only one strand of cable between the poles. were developed in the 1970’s and 1980’s. These roads lie to the south-west of Station Road, between the Ashburn Hotel to the east and the 11. ASHFORD industrial estate to the west on the Ashford Road. Jubilee Crescent is the latest road, produced by AREA SETTING AND LANDSCAPE demolishing some bungalows in Jubilee Road and using the space to build a road which now The settlement lies on rising land about half a mile extends round the back of the properties in to the west of Fordingbridge and is separated from Jubilee Road. the town by a flood plain and the grounds of the nursing home,Allenbrook. This gap has been offi- BUILDINGS AND DETAILS cially designated a ‘Local Gap’. The Ashford Water runs from west to east along the southern bound- Station Road, Victoria Road ary of Ashford. The northern edge of the built-up and Ashford Road all have a area is formed by a strip of woodland which scattering of Victorian and extends along the old railway line to Marl Lane. Edwardian properties. The old railway forms a cycleway and footpath Jubilee Road consists of from Station Road through Falconwood Close 1930’s bungalows, some north to Marl Lane and Allenwater Drive in much extended in recent Fordingbridge. years. Most of the recent buildings are post-1945. Victorian houses on the Ashford Road

24 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement north side of Victoria Road are being replaced with premises of a former flour mill. higher density housing. Two blocks of four flats are To the south-east off Ashford already occupied, and six town houses are being Road is the Ashford Marine constructed. These developments will completely Works housing 16 small busi- alter the character of this road. nesses. To the south-west (on the old station site) is the See Guideline 11.1 concerning Fordingbridge Business Park developments in Victoria Road which comprises John Loader (Wessex Feeds), Corralls Coal

All the parts of Ashford Centre, and more recent indus- Industrial Estate include a mixture of trial units housing a variety of detached,semi-detached small business ventures. There is also a new devel- and bungalows. With opment built in 2006 offering four business units the exception of Jubilee on the junction of Ashford Road and Station Road. Crescent and Falconwood Close, they The future of the Ashburn Hotel is uncertain. have spacious gardens, Some of the land was sold in 2005 at the rear and garages and additional several large private houses were built. Access is along the west side of the hotel. There is a plan- Downwood Close parking. They are all brick built with tile or ning application to demolish the hotel and replace slate roofs and some with tile or wood cladding on it with a home for the elderly. the walls. Recommendations: Falconwood Close and Rookwood Gardens Any future commercial development in the were built nine years Ashford and Sandleheath areas should take into ago to a much higher account the inadequate width of Station Road. density than the rest of the area. Its appearance The hedge on the northern side of Station Road is cramped with small between Ashford and Fordingbridge should gardens and fussy detail- be cut back to improve safety for cyclists. ing on some of the Implementation of Policy DW.T10.14 in the Local

Falconwood Close properties. Plan would provide a proper cycleway.

Jubilee Crescent was built one year ago. Two bungalows were demolished and replaced by eight 12. TINKERS CROSS AND detached house, all with open plan front gardens and very small back gardens. BURGATE

PROPERTY BOUNDARIES AREA SETTING AND LANDSCAPE

With the exception of Jubilee Crescent, all the To the North and West of Fordingbridge lie rolling properties have either wooden fences, low brick chalk downs; and as one travels NNW from the walls or hedges around their properties. The older centre of Fordingbridge through this area towards areas to the south of Station Road have a number the downs at Whitsbury, the highest point of this of large established trees in contrast to the area to part of Fordingbridge is only some 15m or so the north. Most of the roads have footways on above the River Avon. This is the setting for either side of the road. Tinkers Cross, where the principle views are east- wards across the A338 towards the river Avon and COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT into the New Forest. Burgate lies along the A338 which runs close to the west bank of the River This is centred around the junction of Station Avon. On the east side of the river are a set of his- Road and Ashford Road. To the north is Corintech, toric water meadows protected by their designa- a thriving electronics manufacturer using the tion as a SSSI.

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 25 SETTLEMENT PATTERN through to the 20th centuries. It includes a painted brick and concrete studio, with a flat asphalt Tinkers Cross is situated roof, that is an unashamedly modern (1932) and at the junction of clearly visible from the road. Whitsbury Road and Beyond Tinkers Cross and before reaching Upper Fryern Court Road. This Burgate there are a few scattered houses, mainly small group of dwellings 20th century, and mainly post-war bespoke red extends northwards along brick two storey buildings with a variety of roof Fryern Court Road, and types, including thatch and tile. They all have off View from Whitsbury Road towards the Forest then the properties road parking – essential with such a narrow road. become more spaced out, separated by small fields, along the west-east Upper Burgate comprises various Grade II listed branch of Fryern Court Road which eventually vernacular properties dating back to the 16th and meets the A338 at Upper Burgate. Here there is 17th centuries plus more modern buildings from another group of houses and old farm buildings. the Victorian,and post war periods.The properties Moving south along the A338 properties become are an eclectic mix of timber framing with brick spaced out again before reaching another group of infill (sometimes painted), red brick, and stucco, properties at Lower Burgate. with roofs of thatch and tile.They are all detached or semi-detached with front gardens and most BUILDINGS AND DETAILS have off-road parking. On the east side of the A338 is a white painted stucco building of Edwardian Tinkers Cross compris- appearance, tucked well back from the road. es mostly detached bungalows, many with Most of the buildings at Lower Burgate are Grade dormer windows, inter- II listed, timber framed, with painted brick infill spersed with two storey and thatched roofs, some used for commercial detached housing. The purposes such as antiques and hostelries. They properties, largely built variously date from the 16th and 17th centuries mid 20th century, are with later additions. An industrial park is located heterogeneous in at Burgate Farm with a narrow entrance on the design and detailing. Fryern Cout Road at Tinkers Cross west side of the A338. The buildings comprise var- They are built of brick, ious former farm buildings and a row of red brick although many of them are rendered with tiled single storey light industrial buildings (parallel to and pseudo slate roofs. All have off-road parking, the A338 but screened from it) with a tarmac and front gardens. parking and loading area in front of them. Adjacent to the industrial estate is a range of The Glasshouse Studios (formerly The Avonvale battered glass houses. Nurseries) are to the east of Fryern Court Road at Tinkers Cross.This is a modern business park com- Recommendation: Any proposals for the expan- prising single storey buildings faced with brick or sion of the industrial estate in Lower Burgate cladding housing 15 businesses employing about should be accompanied by a review of its acces- 50 people.These sit down in the landscape rather sibility to and from the A338. than intruding.The narrow width of Fryern Court Road constrains how the site can be used. Next to Opposite the industrial site is a two storey red this development is a residential home for the eld- brick, apparently Victorian building; and then erly, comprising a long single-storey building with Burgate Court, an apparently Georgian 2-storey extra rooms in the roof. stucco building under a slate roof that has been Fryern Court Complex: Surrounded by agricultur- recently restored and converted into flats. About al land, the Fryern Court complex to the north- 200 m east of the road is the Burgate Manor Farm west of Fryern Court Road comprises one Grade complex of farm buildings and holiday cottages. II* and five Grade II listed structures, and two more that are Grade II listed for group value.The complex is essentially hidden from public view, and contains listed properties from the 15th

26 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement PROPERTY BOUNDARIES 13. GUIDELINES

The predominant form of front boundary is hedg- General Guidelines for Fordingbridge, Ashford, ing, either semi-natural and including species such Bickton, Tinkers Cross and Burgate as holly and hazel, or planted with various domestic hedging species. There are some wooden pick- G.1 Electricity and telephone supplies should be et fences. There are many well-established trees in put underground when new developments the hedges and gardens and along adjacent field are proposed. boundaries. G.2 Off-road parking provision for at least 2.5 vehicles should be provided for each OPEN SPACES dwelling with three bedrooms or more. (Refer New Forest District Supplementary There are no public Planning Document – The provision of car open spaces in parking space in residential development) these hamlets. Off-road parking areas should be construct- Gardens are usually ed of materials which minimise excessive large with many water run-off and incorporate a permeable trees which con- surface. Because garages are often used to tribute to the land- store domestic and garden articles they are scape. There is a counted as half a car space per single garage, large grassed area in but only if minimum dimensions are 6m X Upper Burgate con- Burgate Cross 3m. The above SPD takes this into account taining the old in its recommendations. Burgate Cross. This and the adjoining thatched G.3 Major new developments should be properties form an attractive gateway to designed to include grassed amenity areas at Fordingbridge and should be well maintained. road junctions and areas where trees could be planted to provide shade and visual inter- STREETS AND STREET FURNITURE est. Access roads should be wide enough for both car parking and access for refuse lor- As is normal in rural areas, electricity and tele- ries and emergency vehicles. phone services are supplied from overhead G.4 Where it is necessary for large trees in pub- cables. Because the properties are spread out and lic open spaces to be removed, or for new there is a significant number of trees along the trees to be planted, it would be advisable for roadside these cables are not obtrusive. the new trees to be chosen from deciduous species that will both enhance the environ- There is a good footway up Whitsbury Road from ment and make a contribution to conserva- Fordingbridge to Tinkers Cross, but there are no tion, such as hornbeam, rowan, holly, plane, footways on Fryern Court Road. For this reason, oak, and ash. A variety of species should be and because this road is narrow,there is a 30 mph encouraged to prevent widespread foliage speed limit. There is a footway along the west side or tree loss through infestation or disease. of the A338 linking Upper and Lower Burgate. English Nature, the Forestry Commission, the District Council and the National Park Important footpaths Authority, are all able to supply fuller infor- mation about species that are suitable for The Avon Valley Path runs from Pennys Lane in particular situations. Fordingbridge around the playing fields of Burgate G.5 Adequate lighting of public footpaths is nec- School to Lower Burgate just south of the indus- essary to ensure a safe environment at night. trial estate. Walkers then have to cross the A338 to When replacing lighting used both here and reach the next part of the Path through Burgate in the streets the fittings should minimise Manor Farm and across the River Avon. This river light pollution and should not be sited to crossing is a most attractive white suspension shine directly into bedroom windows. bridge which is a prominent feature on the water G.6 Any extensions in these areas should be meadows. constructed to take into account the charac-

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 27 ter of the existing building. Flat roofs should should be provided with low walls enclos- be avoided, and roof pitch and material and ing a small strip of land for flowers and window design should match that of the meter boxes (if these cannot be placed in existing building. the walls). These boundaries would serve to G.7 New buildings in these areas should not break up and soften the join between walls have more than two storeys below the roof, and footway,and encourage residents to con- although rooms in the roof space are accept- tribute to the appearance of the town. able. Flat roofs should be avoided. 8.5 If alterations are proposed to Nos. 33-37 G.8 New streets should be linked to existing Salisbury Street, the opportunity should be streets by “short-cut”footpaths,to encourage taken to incorporate a widened footway as walking to the shops and schools. part of such proposals. 8.6 Any new developments linking the east side (Note: The following Guidelines are numbered of the High Street, Provost Street or Church to correspond with the appropriate Section Street to the west bank of the river should which should be consulted for amplification.) include a public right of way to the river bank, which would enable a pedestrian Guideline for Rural Areas bridge to be constructed across the River surrounding the Town Avon to improve access to the recreation ground and children’s play area. (refer to 4.1 Any proposal to change the use of buildings Policies FB-2,3,4 in Local Plan) There is also within an agricultural holding should seek to an existing proposal for a new footpath preserve its rural character, enhance rural along the northern edge of St Mary’s church- employment and economic opportunities, yard to the riverbank (Policy DW.T10.15 in and include measures to prevent degrada- Local Plan). tion of the natural environment. 8.7 Any redevelopment of the shops on the east side of Provost Street should include a redesign of the footway and parking spaces Guidelines for Town Centre, to prevent vehicles obstructing both the including the Conservation Area footway and the main roadway. 8.8 When replacement of street lights is 8.1 In the town centre any new developments required in Provost Street, Salisbury Street or changes in the road layout should include and Shaftesbury Street, (the streets which the planting of trees. Care should be taken contain a mixed collection of modern lamp to choose trees without low branches. standards), a uniform design should be cho- 8.2 New or replacement shop fronts should be sen which is no higher than the eaves,incon- of high quality traditional materials and be spicuous and which is suitable for inclusion modern interpretations of an established tra- in a conservation area. ditional style being sympathetic to the character of the building and the area. National Guidelines for the urban area of Fordingbridge commercial enterprises should be encour- outside the town centre aged to modify their standard signs and shop fronts to take into account the historic 9.1 Any developments in the Marl Lane area nature of the town centre. (refer to Policy should seek to retain the described charac- DW-E22 in Local Plan) ter of the lane and its recreational and eco- 8.3 Developments in the town centre should be logical value. two storeys, plus in some cases rooms in the 9.2 Care should be taken in the design of any roof with dormer windows (not flat-roofed). new front boundaries for which planning The elevations should be of red/orange permission is required so that the elevation brick to match those from the old consists of a variety of materials and/or Sandleheath brickworks. They should not be designs (such as a combination of brick and painted or rendered. The roof pitch, align- wooden panels). ment and materials should match that of sur- 9.3 Boundaries separating public footpaths and rounding buildings. residents’ gardens should be designed to 8.4 New buildings set close to the footway minimise the intimidating “tunnel” effect of

28 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement such footpaths by variation in design and/or or retain such planting in front of new park- materials. ing areas. 9.4 Every opportunity should be taken to maintain the public open spaces off Allenwater Guideline in Appendix 1 Drive and Whitsbury Road to avoid dark hid- ing places and ensure that young children App1.1 Planning applications to break new ground cannot wander onto open countryside. should demonstrate that the proposed devel- 9.5 The avenue of trees in St Georges Road opment is of appropriate scale and style,and in should be preserved and the trees gradually a suitable location, to enhance the town’s built environment and encourage ecological bene- replaced when necessary by those of a com- fit. parable deciduous species. When replacement is necessary, the bodies identified in G4 above should be consulted for guidance Appendix 1: OVERVIEW OF about suitable replacements. 9.6 Back-garden in-filling in Salisbury Road, Park DESIGN RELATED ISSUES Road, Alexandra Road and Whitsbury Road should be resisted. Such developments The Town Design Statement is a street by street, would have an adverse impact on the char- area by area account of the town and its environs. acter of the original street pattern, reduce There has to be room in the future for residential car parking capacity due to access roads,and and commercial development but it is important destroy valuable wild-life habitat in large gar- that significant planning proposals take this dens and large trees which enhance the Overview into account when considering the views from existing properties. detailed guidelines set out above so that the over- 9.7 Developments close to Edwardian proper- all character of the area is maintained and, wher- ties in Whitsbury Road, Park Road and ever possible, enhanced. Alexandra Road should incorporate front gardens or parking spaces bounded by brick To this end, four main concerns are highlighted walls and gateposts to match neighbouring that are not adequately expressed in the more boundaries. Features such as stone window localised detailed descriptions. cills and lintels and front-facing gables should be incorporated into the design. 1.Traffic Demolition of good quality Edwardian and Victorian houses in Salisbury Road, Park Traffic concerns were raised at all stages in the Road, Alexandra Road, Albion Road and preparation of the Town Design Statement and fall Whitsbury Road should be resisted. In addi- into three categories. tion to providing the architectural heritage of the initial expansion of the town due to a) Parking problems. These are caused by the the coming of the railway, these properties growth of car ownership and by the increasing make a necessary contribution towards a use of garages for general storage. The problem is diverse social mix in the community. further compounded by the inadequate size of the 9.8 Any large new developments off Whitsbury garages in many recent developments which even Road to the east of Sweatsford Water should medium sized family cars can only enter with dif- include a simple field for ball games and ficulty. This suggests that the current requirement other play activities, similar to the field in to provide a certain number of parking spaces is the Allenwater Drive development. (Refer not the only issue. The spaces provided need to be Local Plan) fit for purpose. The provision of adequate internal storage space within domestic developments Guideline for Ashford and/or garages suitable for family cars would con- 11.1 The original Victorian properties in Victoria siderably ease street parking problems. Road had mature trees and bushes in hedges and gardens which contributed to the See Guideline G.2 concerning parking in appearance of the street. New develop- new developments. ments in this street should also incorporate

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 29 b) The extensive increase in street parking. In town itself and the surrounding villages is one of some areas, such as the Parsonage Park develop- its main attractions, together with the range of ment, the roads are so narrow that residents fear other facilities it offers. It would not take the that the emergency services would on occasion demise of more than a few retail outlets for this to be delayed while parked vehicles are moved. In be lost. To retain it, the traffic problem must be other areas, such as Park Road, which is a through dealt with so that the town gains a new reputation route out of town, parking on both sides of the for pedestrian friendliness. road results in larger vehicles having difficulty get- ting through, and occasional damage to the wing Though such traffic issues do not lie directly with- mirrors of parked vehicles. A similar,though more in the remit of the Town Design Statement, they visible, problem exists in both High Street and are a crucial aspect of the overall ‘design’ of the Salisbury Street where stationary delivery vehicles town. Good planning will have this in mind, with frequently cause traffic jams. These can be com- proposals for major developments including an pounded by the difficulty that very large vehicles, assessment of their impact on the traffic issues including buses, have in making the turn from affecting the town and containing proposals to Bridge Street into Salisbury Street. ameliorate this growing problem.

There is increasing evidence that daytime street Recommendation: As a first step towards solving parking by non-residents is affecting roads close to ‘the intractable problem’ identified above, the the town centre at present without parking Highway Authority should be requested to restrictions. undertake a feasibility study to ascertain the viability of creating a one way system to reduce c) Large vehicles using streets in the town.A num- the pressure of heavy traffic through the town ber of visitors to the public consultation spoke of centre. Several schemes proposed in the 1980’s their fear of coming into town because of the very could be re-examined. large vehicles that come through with tyres rub- bing the kerb edges and wing mirrors overhang- 2. Space with development potential ing the footways. When two such vehicles meet, in some places it is necessary for one at least to As has been stated, Fordingbridge has a tradition mount the pavement in order for them to pass. of gradual development spread through several Pedestrians, particularly older folk and those with centuries. It will not be desirable to make what is young children, feel intimidated by this, and also currently the town into a museum to past domes- by the speed at which some vehicles travel tic and commercial architectural achievement. through the town. The town is a living entity and will require future development to retain this character. The issue is See Recommendation about 20 mph where such development can take place. speed limit in Section 8 The land available will be either infill / brown site Concern about traffic in Fordingbridge town cen- or hitherto undeveloped ground. It is clear that tre is not new. The High Street and Salisbury Street the land currently available is severely restricted. are at present necessary access roads to the The town is surrounded by open countryside, the Fordingbridge Business Park, and the Ashford and Ashford Gap, flood plain and water meadows, and Sandleheath Industrial estates. The problems that extensive areas affected by mineral rights. In addi- arise from this are well recorded elsewhere and tion,some areas are within vistas from the western are acknowledged in the Local Plan. To date, the escarpment of the New Forest National Park and considered response has been one of resignation can only be developed if there is agreement to an intractable problem. between the neighbouring authorities.

If nothing is done, the problem created by These constraints will tend towards increased through traffic will eventually solve itself because density within developments and further erosion trade will fall as it becomes less and less attractive of the surrounding countryside. Increased density to shop and do business in Fordingbridge. The is likely to exacerbate the traffic problems identi- diversity of retail outlets serving the needs of the fied above. Incursion into the countryside will be

30 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement detrimental to the natural environment, with Recommendation:The Planning Policies already potentially injurious consequences to the valuable set out in Policies FB-2, 3 and 4 of the Local Plan ecological position of the town within the Avon should be pursued with vigour by the relevant valley. The treatment of gardens as brown field authorities to enable access to the west bank of sites works against environmental benefit and the river. risks producing ecological wastelands. In conse- quence, the location of new developments is crit- An extended circular walk could be created using ical. the Avon Valley Path southwards from the rear of St.Mary’s church,an existing footpath crossing the See Guideline App1.1 concerning planning water meadows to Bickton Mill, and a new foot- applications for new developments. path/cycleway northwards from Bickton to the recreation ground along the east bank of the river. 3. Area wide enhancement The latter has already been proposed in the current Local Plan. Earmarked land. One piece of ground is earmarked in the Local Plan for leisure and recre- The evidence of local desire for greater access to ational use. This lies to the east of the Whitsbury the riverside suggests that the creation of such a Road and the north of the old railway track, and circular walk would greatly enhance the leisure borders the north-westerly aspect of the Burgate and recreational facilities available to local resi- schools complex. Some people question whether dents and would be of attraction to visitors to the this site is suitably located for the purpose identi- area. fied, some considering that the old railway track would make an ideal relief access road for the 4. Wider policy concerns schools complex. It is possible that the two ideas could be combined, the greater use of the bound- The draft Local Development ary for access also offering increased security for Framework (LDF) for the period children who may one day use the recreational 2006-2026, will, when approved, space if the intention of the Local Plan is carried replace the current Local Plan. It through. envisages the completion of up to 290 new dwellings in and A wasted asset? There can be little doubt that the around Fordingbridge during situation of Fordingbridge on the river Avon is a that period (approximately 15 huge attraction. The view from the ancient bridge per year). Up to 170 (9 per year) opens up vistas of great beauty but these are of these are to be provided with- View northwards from Bickton Mill showing restricted by the absence of a walk way on its in the current built-up area, pre- route of proposed path on east bank southern side. The narrowness of the walkway sumably by in-filling and devel- extension on the north side does not encourage opment of small parcels of land. the visitor to linger. The western boundary of the The remainder would have to be built on land recreation ground affords the only access for river- around the boundary of the current built-up area. side walking. The view from here is mainly of the rear of the properties on the opposite bank. The LDF states that developments within the town should be “consistent with maintaining and The desire of very many residents for greater enhancing its character and quality of life”. In the access to the river bank was quantified in the light of the character of Fordingbridge described preparation of the Town Health Check and is clear- in the town design statement, it is suggested ly set out within it. In earlier generations, leisure strongly that this should be interpreted to mean - activity on the river itself was a significant focal point. Such activity is unlikely to be regained but (a) In-fill development the resource of the river side holds considerable potential. A scheme some years ago to throw a The Guidelines listed in Section 13 numbered G.1 bridge across the river to create a circular walk to G.8 should be followed as far as possible. along the riverside and through the town centre was not adopted.

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 31 (b) New-ground development Appendix 2: REFERENCES Although a town design statement cannot suggest The following documents were consulted during where the new developments should be situated, the preparation of this Town Design Statement: it is accepted that some will probably be on the northern edge of the town, close to the Burgate schools campus. It is recommended that any Fordingbridge – A Conservation Area Appraisal, June 2001 - The Health Check, 2007 development in this area should include: Bickton – draft Conservation Area Appraisal, the provision of a grassed recreational area of 2007 sufficient size to allow ball games to be played; improvements to the access to the primary New Forest District Local Plan First Alteration, and junior schools to alleviate the additional February 2005 vehicular and footpath requirements arising from the increased number of children associ- NFDC Housing Design, Density and Character, ated with the new development; April 2006 consideration of the need for a one-way sys- New Forest District Local Development tem for Park Road to offset the extra traffic to Framework, Core Strategy Development Plan and from the centre of the town; Document, Preferred Options, October 2007 retention of the gap between Fordingbridge and Tinkers Cross to preserve as far as possible Hampshire Minerals Plan – Regulation 26 the area’s rural aspect and environmental Consultation value that will be jeopardised if it is completely in-filled with housing. Planning Policy Statement 7: Sustainable Development in Rural Area, 2004

New Forest District – Supplementary Planning Document – The provision of car parking space in residential development, February 2008

32 Fordingbridge Town Design Statement Appendix 3: CONSULTATION with members of the working group. All spare copies of the draft were given to members of the PROCESS public, and a further 20 copies were delivered after the meeting. All copies included a response In the autumn of 2006, Councillor Mike Shand as form to obtain comments from the community. chair of the Fordingbridge Community Forum Six replies were received and where appropriate wrote to the many organisations within the town the draft was amended. Several issues raised did inviting them to send representatives to a meeting not fall within the remit of the town design state- to be held in January 2007 to begin the process of ment. preparing a new Fordingbridge Town Design Statement.This would replace an existing piece of On the 22 January 2008 a meeting of the working work that had been overtaken by changing param- group was held to discuss the results of the public eters set by the local authority. consultation, and agree any amendments necessary. An extra Appendix was added to reflect the The process started with a meeting on 23 January wider concerns of several members of the team 2007 attended by 40 or so local residents who and the public on the future development of the responded directly,or were representatives of var- town. The revised text was circulated to all who ious organisations. This meeting was held under had expressed an interest in the project seeking the auspices of the Community Forum, with rep- any additional comments and, in particular, identi- resentatives of the New Forest District Council fication of any errors of fact that remained. and Phil Turner MRTPI,of Planning Aid South present to help describe the task to be undertaken. Comments from within the local community over- Several working parties were formed to examine whelmingly supported the draft, in both shape of and describe different areas of the town against a document and content of the sections. Some number of parameters. errors of fact were identified and corrected.

From February to November 2007 seven meetings On 13 August 2008 the planning committee of were held to review the work submitted by the Fordingbridge Town Council endorsed the final working parties and agree the content of the draft for adoption by the New Forest District Design Statement. The final meeting on 27 Council. November made arrangements for the latest draft to be submitted for public consultation at the On 5th November 2008, New Forest District town’s Late Night Shopping programme of events Council formally endorsed the Fordingbridge to be held on Friday, 14th December 2007. Town Design Statement with the status of Supplementary Guidance commensurate in On the 14 December 2007 a display was set up in weight in decision making of a Supplementary the Salvation Army hall adjacent to the main Planning Document. In an associated decision, access to the central car park. The consultation authority was given to the Planning Policy itself had been widely advertised through posters Manager to agree a few necessary editorial placed around the town and in local media con- changes.These occur in Note 2 in the Introduction tent. Key sections were displayed in large print where the word ‘normally’ has been introduced, format and full copies were also available. Over 50 and in Guidelines G.2 and 9.8 where, respectively, people attended, some spending considerable vehicle provision has been increased to 2.5 and time reading the display and/or discussing issues the word ‘large’ introduced.

Fordingbridge Town Design Statement 33