Demolition of Existing Buildings and Proposed Erection of 8 Dwellings - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, , Andover, SP11 6BG

Client: Spear Design Projects Ltd

Landscape Appraisal

February 2017

Bradford-Smith Ltd, 5 Thorold Road, , Surrey, GU9 7JY Tel.no: 01252 714607 email: [email protected] www.brafordsmith.co.uk

CONTENTS:

CONTENTS: ...... 2 1 SCOPE OF WORK AND BACKGROUND ...... 4 2 SITE LOCATION & CONTEXT ...... 8 3 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ...... 9 4 PLANNING CONTEXT ...... 11 5 LANDSCAPE BASELINE: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ...... 15 6 LANDSCAPE BASELINE: SITE SETTING, SURVEY AND ANALYSIS ...... 23 7 VISUAL APPRAISAL ...... 27 8 LANDSCAPE RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 30 9 LANDSCAPE STRATEGY ...... 32 10 CONCLUSION ...... 35

References

 Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (Third Edition) Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment. Abingdon 2013  National Character Area Profiles, Natural , http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6738147345956864?category=587 130 04/01/2017  Hampshire Integrated Landscape Character Assessment, http://www3.hants.gov.uk/landscape-and-heritage/hampshire-integrated-character- assessment.htm 04/01/2017  http://www.northwessexdowns.org.uk/publications.html#landscape_assessment 04/01/2017  https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/content/page/27451/2%20Landscape%20Assessment% 20-%20A%20Landscape%20Overview.pdf 09/01/2017  http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/hants/vol4/pp295-299 08/02/2017  http://www.stmarybourne-pc.gov.uk 08/02/2017  St Mary Bourne Village Design Statement St Mary Bourne Parish Council 2005  Conservation Area Appraisal St Mary Bourne and Stoke; and Deane Borough Council 2003

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Drawings Figure 1: Site Location Plan Figure 2: Landscape Context: Topography and Drainage Figure 3: Planning Context Figure 4: Site Survey and Analysis: Local Landscape Context Figure 5: Site Survey and Analysis: Site Features Figure 6: Photographic locations Figure 7: Photographic Views Sheets 1 to 6 Figure 8: Illustrated Landscape Strategy

Appendices Appendix 1: Borough Council Pre-application Consultation report 16/03356/EN28 dated 31/10/2016.

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1 SCOPE OF WORK AND BACKGROUND (FIGURE 1) 1.1 Bradford Smith Ltd has been commissioned by Spear Design Projects Ltd to provide a Landscape Strategy Plan and a Landscape Appraisal for the proposed demolition of existing buildings on the application site and the erection of 8 new dwellings.

1.2 The main purpose of this landscape appraisal is to assess key characteristics and features of the existing landscape, of the application site and its setting, to guide development proposals and support the development of a landscape strategy which protects existing historic, landscape and amenity interests through the detailed design of the development proposals.

1.3 A formal Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) has not been carried out, but the same principles and approach have been used as for a formal LVIA. The landscape appraisal has not influenced the proposed site layout as part of an iterative design process, but has identified considerations to be taken forward through detailed design, construction and operational/management stages of the project. The final design has included landscape proposals which will help to bolster the capacity of the receiving landscape to absorb the development.

1.4 LVIA is a tool used to identify the significance of, and the effects of change resulting from development on both the landscape as an environmental resource in its own right and on people’s views and visual amenity (Landscape Institute and IEMA 2013). The guidance states that the principles and processes of LVIA can also be used to assist in the ‘appraisal’ of forms of land use change or development that fall outside the requirements of the EIA Directive and Regulations. The LVIA methods are therefore referred to in this document and have been employed to produce this ‘Appraisal’. One of the main differences is that a formal EIA includes an assessment of the significance of effects, LVIA role in landscape ‘appraisal’ does not.

1.5 In accordance with the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA), throughout this report ‘impact’ is defined as the action being taken and the ‘effect’ is defined as the change resulting from that action.

1.6 ‘Likely significant effects’ that have been embraced as part of this study have included positive/beneficial and negative/adverse, direct and indirect, long and short term, and cumulative effects.

1.7 The site is located within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The site: Planning history

1.8 Six previous planning applications relate to the application site:

1.9 Application BDB/27321 for the erection of a new bungalow and garage and covered pool was granted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on 23/08/1989. This is assumed to be Bankcroft; the bungalow immediately adjacent to the site. It seems likely that the land this application refers to was previously under the same ownership as the application site, and may have served as part of the previous land use operation.

1.10 Two applications were submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on

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18/12/1992 but subsequently withdrawn. Application BDB/34192 was for the demolition of storage buildings and dwelling. Application BDB/34138 was for the redevelopment of the site comprising the erection of 7 no. houses and 1 no. bungalow with double garage.

1.11 Application BDB/34977 for the redevelopment of the site comprising 5 dwellings was granted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on 08/12/1993.

1.12 Application BDB/34978 for the demolition of existing house store and clearance of scrapyard was granted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on 08/12/1993.

1.13 Application BDB/44714 for the variation of condition 1 of planning permission BDB/34977 to allow a further period for commencement of development was granted by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on 23/02/1999. This is no longer extant having expired 5 years from the decision date.

The site: Location and setting

1.14 The application site is located at St Mary Bourne, to the north-east of Andover in the County of Hampshire. It is located to the north-east of the B3048 accessed from a rural lane (Springhill Lane) close to its junction with the B3048.

1.15 The landscape setting is of a narrow flat bottomed river valley in an open, gently undulating chalk landscape. The elevation is generally between 90m AOD and 130m AOD. The application site is located on one of the valley side slopes at between 92.5 and 98.5m AOD.

Method

1.16 A desk study was undertaken to identify lengths of public rights of way and other publicly accessible areas with potential views of the site. These have been surveyed to confirm the visibility, and the visual sensitivity of the application site. The nature of the proposed change to the landscape was assessed to conclude with an appraisal of the likely landscape and visual effects of the proposed development.

Ecology 1.17 An Extended Phase 1 Habitat and Preliminary Protected Species survey was carried out by FPCR Environment and Design Ltd in August 2016. The report of survey advises that:

 The application site is not subject to any ecological designation, and the increased residency from the proposed development of the site should not have a significant effect on any of (non-statutory) designated sites in the local vicinity;

 The hedgerow on the north-eastern boundary of the site is of some interest for its diversity of native species;

 There was no evidence of badger activity during the survey visit, but the report advises a further survey be carried out prior to construction because the habitat is suitable for colonisation by this species;

 Boundary vegetation is suitable habitat to support local populations of bats. Mitigation and enhancements for bats were recommended as listed in the survey report;

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 There is no conclusive evidence of dormice activity on the application site, and mitigation methods are suggested to avoid harm to this species, should it be present;

 The study concluded that Great Crested Newt is not a constraint to development; and,

 There is evidence of reptiles on the site and mitigation methods are suggested to avoid harm to this group of species.

1.18 The report concludes:

 ‘Currently the site has limited ecological value, and those existing habitats that are/potentially used by wildlife will be retained, buffered and enhanced; ensuring the long term conservation status of the bats, reptiles and possibly dormice are maintained.’

Trees

1.19 A Tree Survey, Tree Constraints Plan and Arboricultural Impact Assessment have been carried out by Bernie Harverson for most of the trees on the application site. The survey has not picked up vegetation along the south-eastern boundary of the application site.

1.20 The Tree Survey has identified that most trees on the site are Grade C. G1 and T1 are recommended for removal. Another group, G7 is recommended for partial felling, partial coppicing. Three entries are categorised Grade B; these are T3, T7, and G4. All Grade B trees are sycamore.

Structure of this report

1.21 The sections described within this report are: -

 Site location and context – location of site and its setting in the landscape (Section 2);

 Historical Background – brief history and identifying the key, historical elements for the site and its surroundings (Section 3);

 Planning Context – with specific reference to landscape policies (Section 4)

 Landscape Baseline: Landscape Character – a review of the existing landscape character framework, at national, county and local level (Section 5);

 Landscape baseline: Site Survey and Analysis – the existing landscape features on the site and its landscape setting (Section 6);

 Visual baseline – Analysis of visibility of the site in the landscape and the nature of local receptors (Section 7)

 Landscape Recommendations – an assessment of the effects of the proposed scheme, description of recommendations that have been incorporated during the design process and residual issues to be taken forward through ongoing detail

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design. (Section 8);

 Landscape Strategy – a description of the current landscape proposals (Section 9)

 Conclusion – (Section 10)

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2 SITE LOCATION & CONTEXT (FIGURES 1, 2 AND 3) Landscape Setting and Land Use

2.1 The application site is located on the north-eastern side of Springhill Lane on rising land of the south-west facing valley side slope. It is a long narrow site, aligned alongside the lane, tapering to a point at the north-western end where it meets a small copse near a farm access gate serving the field behind it. The site is at the edge of the settlement.

2.2 For most of the length of the boundary contiguous with Springhill Lane, the main part of the site is elevated above the road level, and physically separated by a high, steep scarp slope. On the opposite (settlement) side of the road are residential properties; closer to the village centre the density is higher, being single storey or storey and a half dwellings on relatively small plots. Further from the village the houses are much larger detached properties with substantial grounds.

2.3 Higher up the slope above the site, the north-eastern boundary is contiguous with a linear field at the north-eastern end. Further south-east, the boundary of the field continues straight, behind the curtilage of the single dwelling known as Bankcroft. There is a significant level difference between the application site and neighbouring land uses along this boundary, being greatest at the south-eastern end where the level change is accommodated by a retaining wall. Further along, the level difference eventually tapers out.

2.4 The access drive shared with Bankcroft is steeply sloping along the application site’s south-eastern boundary. This boundary is contiguous with a pubic footpath linking the settlement with open countryside to the north. Beyond the footpath are rear gardens of other residential properties on the outskirts of the settlement.

2.5 Beyond the linear field above the site is a linear plantation of ash trees. On the other side of the plantation, as the summit of the valley side slope is reached, part of Breach Farm has been developed as a burial ground. Otherwise, the open countryside is predominantly arable.

2.6 St Mary Bourne is located in the of St Mary Bourne in , and St Mary Bourne Ward.

Access and Public Rights of Way 2.7 By road the application site is accessed from a shared access drive served by Springhill Lane which also serves Bankcroft. A section of Footpath 29 is contiguous with the site’s south-eastern boundary, but separated from it both physically and visually by a dense screen of mixed tall growing evergreen and deciduous vegetation.

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3 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

3.1 The history of the village is rooted in agriculture, and the tithings of Binley, Egbury, Stoke, Week and Swampton. Swampton Mill was the earliest recorded industry in the area, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Roman artefacts have been found nearby, and The old Roman road from Sarum to passes through . The course of the old road passed through the village at the southern end of the lake near the village centre.

3.2 The village grew up from a number of farmsteads, with former farm buildings still being recognisable within the settlement. Early development also grew up around crossing points over the river, originally fords, and more latterly bridges. Buildings were originally located for ease of access to water via a pump from the water table.

3.3 St Mary Bourne, Stoke and neighbouring hamlets were part of the manor of . Sir Robert Oxenbridge purchased Hurstbourne Priors from the Crown in 1558, and later had to prove his legal title to St Mary Bourne and other neighbouring settlements. Which were part of the manor. St Peters Church was originally built by the manor as a Chapel of ease for the inhabitants of St Mary Bourne. Documentation about the Church dates back as far as the 12th century, but evidence within the building suggests part of it dated back further.

3.4 The Earl of Portsmouth was the Lord of the Manor. In 1860 the present day school building was erected on land donated by the 5th Earl of Portsmouth who also contributed to the construction costs. More recently philanthropic gesture by the community has delivered various building projects from the mid 20th century for the public good, such as the village shop and the village centre community building.

3.5 Large commercial operators are located south of the village in the vicinity of the railway station at Hurstbourne. Vitacress Salads Ltd employing around 350 people started as growers of watercress in Abbots Ann and St Mary Bourne as far back as 1951, operating under the name of Hampshire Watercress from the early 60's. The current name was chosen in 1993 when the activities expanded to include packing of produce from overseas, and the plant was upgraded in 1995. Still, the watercress represents a large part of the business and the watercress beds near the viaduct are said to be the largest in Europe.

3.6 The metal processing plant of J. Hirst & Sons (former owners and operators of the application site) opposite the watercress beds houses one of the biggest pre- compression shears in the south of England. The family has supported various village events, as have other family firms such as the Culley family who run a Farm and ‘Pick Your Own’ fruit and vegetable facility on the Egbury Road.

3.7 There is a working blacksmith at Breach Farm, following a long tradition of blacksmiths in his own family and generally in the village since the 16th Century. The St Mary Bourne Garage includes an agricultural and motor engineering business.

3.8 The St Mary Bourne Village Design Statement refers to large areas of hazel coppice and standard hardwood which were previously common in the area and managed for wood and timber, but since cut down.

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3.9 The St Mary Bourne and Stoke Conservation Area was originally designated in 1985 by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in recognition of the special architectural and historic interest of the area, and reviewed in 2003. The Conservation Area Appraisal was adopted in July 2003. It describes St Mary Bourne as follows:

 ‘The special appearance of this sub-area is derived from the combination of the gently curving linear development of buildings along the level river valley floor, and a varied mix of properties - the front building lines of these properties are generally tight to the back edge of the pavement. They form distinctive groups interspersed with key spaces. This combination creates a continually changing and varied streetscene beyond each curve in the road.

 ‘Although the village comprises many individual buildings of intrinsic architectural or historic interest, the appearance of the Conservation Area has a cohesive quality. This is due to the similarity in scale, form, and vernacular building traditions, particular to this part of Hampshire, and notably the contribution made by thatched roofs.

 ‘Predominantly residential in character, St Mary Bourne still retains a semi-rural quality given its narrow plan form. The immediate presence of the surrounding landscape being evident in glimpses between or behind the buildings. The interwoven nature of the river through the settlement is also a distinctive and defining characteristic of the village.’

3.10 Listed buildings in the area are located and itemised on Figure 3. There are 64 Listed buildings in the Conservation Area, dating back as far as the 14th Century. The Conservation Area Appraisal identifies three sections of the most notable areas of historic streetscape in St Mary Bourne, running in a north/south sequence. These are the buildings forming High Street, those clustered around The Square, and those along Church Street.

3.11 The application site was previously used for selling a wide range of second hand equipment and other goods. The business was set up after the war by the Hirst family.

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4 PLANNING CONTEXT (FIGURE 3) Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council Adopted Plan 2011-2029

4.1 The Local Plan was adopted on 26 May 2016 and forms part of the statutory development plan for the borough. It sets out the Council’s vision and strategy for the area until 2029 and will provide the basis for decisions on planning applications.

4.2 Policies SS1 (Scale and Distribution of New Housing), EM1 (AONB), EM6 (Water) and EM11 (Heritage) apply directly to the application site.

Scale and Distribution of New Housing – Policy SS1

4.3 Policy SS1 outlines the local strategy for housing delivery, supporting development on appropriate brownfield sites and within Settlement Policy Boundaries as defined on the Local Plan Policies Map. The application site is within the St Mary Bourne Settlement Boundary and as such is included in the area covered by Policy SS1. It sets the framework for other settlement policies which provide more details on the components to be delivered. Policy SS1 States that:

‘Within the period 2011 – 2029, the Local Plan will make provision to meet 15,300 dwellings and associated infrastructure. This will be provided by:

‘a) Permitting development and redevelopment within the defined Settlement Policy Boundaries, which contribute to social, economic and environmental well- being; Sites outside of defined Settlement Policy Boundaries will be considered to lie in the countryside;

‘b) Supporting regeneration in line with Policy SS2;

‘c) Resisting developments that involve a net loss of housing, unless it can be demonstrated that the benefits outweigh the harm;

‘d) Allocating the Greenfield sites set out in Policy SS3 to provide approximately 7705dwellings over the plan period;

‘e) Supporting the delivery of new homes through Neighbourhood Planning, in line with Policy SS5; and

‘f) Permitting exception sites located outside of defined Settlement Policy Boundaries where it meets criteria set out in the other policies in the plan or it is essential for the proposal to be located in the countryside.

‘Settlement Policy Boundaries will be reviewed through a future Development PlanDocument.’

4.4 Policy SS5 – Neighbourhood Planning states that the council will support parish/town council and other representatives from local communities in non-parished areas, through the Neighbourhood Planning process. It is intended that at least 750 homes will be delivered at five named settlements (not including St Mary Bourne). An additional 150 homes are expected to be delivered through Neighbourhood Planning across the remainder of the borough, outside of the five named settlements, Basingstoke Town and . At least ten homes will be delivered primarily within or adjacent to settlements

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with defined Settlement Policy Boundaries, in addition to other development outside of these areas where growth will reflect local needs and ambitions. Settlements with a defined Settlement Policy Boundary are listed in the adopted local plan and include St Mary Bourne.

4.5 However, Small residential developments of less than ten units (net gain of nine units or less) within the defined Settlement Policy Boundaries of the settlements listed will not qualify towards the targets outlined in the policy.

Landscape – Policy EM1

4.6 The application site is within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and as such is included in the area covered by Policy EM1 which states:

‘Development will be permitted only where it can be demonstrated, through an appropriate assessment, that the proposals are sympathetic to the character and visual quality of the area concerned. Development proposals must respect, enhance and not be detrimental to the character or visual amenity of the landscape likely to be affected, paying particular regard to:

‘a) The particular qualities identified within the council’s landscape character assessment and any subsequent updates or relevant guidance;

‘b) The visual amenity and scenic quality;

‘c) The setting of a settlement, including important views to, across, within and out of settlements;

‘d) The local character of buildings and settlements, including important open areas;

‘e) Trees, ancient woodland, hedgerows, water features such as rivers and other landscape features and their function as ecological networks;

‘f) Intrinsically dark landscapes;

‘g) Historic landscapes, parks and gardens and features; and

‘h) The character of the borough’s rivers and tributaries, including the River Loddon and Test, which should be safeguarded. Development proposals must also respect the sense of place, sense of tranquillity or remoteness, and the quiet enjoyment of the landscape from public rights of way.

‘Development proposals will not be accepted unless they maintain the integrity of existing settlements and prevent their coalescence.

‘Where appropriate, proposals will be required to include a comprehensive landscaping scheme to ensure that the development would successfully integrate with the landscape and surroundings. The assessment of character and visual quality and the provision of a landscaping scheme should be proportionate to the scale and nature of the development proposed.

‘Designation of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty reflects the

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national importance of that landscape and its setting. Development proposals in the AONB or its setting will also be determined in accordance with national planning policy and criteria set out in the North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan.’

Water Quality – Policy EM6

4.7 The application site is included in a Groundwater Protection Zone and within the area covered by Policy EM6 which states:

‘The council will work in partnership to protect, manage and improve the water quality of the borough’s water environment particularly the quality of water bodies which are currently failing to meet the Water Framework Directive (WFD) requirements as set out in the associated River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) documents. In the interests of positively managing the water quality of the borough, new development should incorporate sustainable drainage systems.

‘The status of the water environment is monitored as part of RBMPs and the Environment Agency’s annual monitoring process, the results of which will be reported through the council’s annual monitoring. Should the monitoring indicate that there is likely to be a deterioration in an individual element’s band status of the borough’s water body (ies); Policy SS4 will prevent further development which exacerbates such deterioration within the relevant catchment and intervention mechanisms will be required to improve the quality of the relevant catchment prior to the release of any further allocated sites or granting of planning permissions.

‘In order to protect and improve water quality, potentially contaminating development proposals on principal aquifers or within Source Protection Zones will need to demonstrate that groundwater and surface water is adequately protected to prevent a deterioration of water quality and pollution of the water source. Development proposals adjacent to a watercourse will incorporate measures to protect the watercourse in accordance with the Green Infrastructure Strategy and the actions of the River Basin Management Plans.’

The Historic Environment – Policy EM11

4.8 The application site is included in the St Mary Bourne Conservation Area and as such is covered by Policy EM11 which states:

‘All development must conserve or enhance the quality of the borough’s heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance. Development proposals which would affect designated or non-designated heritage assets will be permitted where they:

‘a) Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the significance of the heritage asset and its setting, how this has informed the proposed development, and how the proposal would impact on the asset’s significance. This will be proportionate to the importance of the heritage asset and the potential impact of the proposal;

‘b) Ensure that extensions and/or alterations respect the historic form, setting, fabric and any other aspects that contribute to the significance of the host building;

‘c)Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the significance, character and setting of conservation areas and how this has informed proposals, to achieve high quality new design which is respectful of historic interest and local character;

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‘d) Conserve or enhance the quality, distinctiveness and character of heritage assets by ensuring the use of appropriate materials, design and detailing; and

‘e) Retain the significance and character of historic buildings when considering alternative uses and make sensitive use of redundant historic assets.

4.9 A number of buildings in St Mary Bourne are Listed Buildings. Their locations are indicated on Figure 3.

4.10 There are no other listed sites in the immediate vicinity of the application site, such as battle fields, scheduled monuments or parks and gardens. A Late Neolithic period to Late Bronze Age Bowl Barrow is located 120m east of The Croft. This is located north-west of the application site. Activities on the application site will have no impact on the setting of this ancient monument.

Neighbourhood Plans

4.11 Pre-Submission consultation on the St Mary Bourne NP took place between 15 April 2016 and 27 May 2016. Substantial changes to address issues raised have resulted in a substantially new plan. The Parish Council began a second six-week Regulation 14 consultation period starting on 4 November 2016. The Plan is not yet adopted.

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5 LANDSCAPE BASELINE: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER (FIGURE 4) 5.1 Landscape Character Assessments (LCAs) have been carried out at national, county and district scales. England has been divided into a 159 distinct series of National Character Areas (NCAs) produced in 2005 by the Countryside Agency (now Natural England) with support from English Heritage. The assessment was an update of an original study published in 1996. These NCA’s have subsequently been updated and the most recent NCA profile number 130 relevant to the site was published in April 2014.

National Landscape Character Area:

5.2 The site lies in the north-western part of the National Character Area profile number 130, Hampshire Downs, described as:

‘The Downs are an elevated block of Middle and Upper Cretaceous Chalk that rises to 297 m at Walbury Hill near Inkpen in the north-west, from where it descends gradually to approximately 100 m to 150 m in the south. The countryside is large-scale, open and rolling, with broad, gently domed, undulating plateaux and distinct hill tops, ridges and scarps, which are dissected by both steep and shallow valleys. Soils are mainly free- draining, thin chalky loams, with heavier, younger clay-with-flint soils on the caps and some of the valley sides. These coincide with much of the scattered woodland in an otherwise uniform arable landscape of large fields, shelterbelts (many of them acting as cover for game birds) and low, thin hedgerows.’

5.3 The key characteristics of this area are listed as:

 ‘The rolling, elevated, chalk arable downland has an open, exposed character that provides open skies and long-distance views.

 ‘Elevated plateaux and upper valley slopes are characterised by extensive open tracts of large, low-hedged fields with thin chalky soils, shelterbelts, and ancient semi-natural woodland blocks on clay-with flint caps on some of the steeper slopes.

 ‘In contrast, within the sheltered valleys and to the east of the area, the network of hedgerows, interspersed by numerous areas of oak/ash or hazel woodland coppice and smaller meadow fields, gives a strong sense of enclosure.

 ‘The rivers and streams of the Test and Itchen catchments are internationally significant, and distinctive chalk rivers, running in deep valleys, cut into the Chalk.

 ‘A network of distinctive and ancient droving roads and trackways is a particular feature across the Downs.

 ‘There is widespread evidence of prehistoric settlement on the open downlands, including burial mounds with visually prominent iron age hill forts. In the valleys, there is evidence of Roman estates and nucleated medieval village settlement patterns, and fieldscapes and farmsteads across the downlands evidence the gradual and planned enclosure from the medieval period.

 ‘The area’s distinctive appearance derives from the use of chalk cob (in the west), weatherboarded timber frame and small, handmade local brick with flint in traditional rural buildings and walls surrounding farm courtyards, with thatch surviving in many

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places.

 ‘The settlement pattern varies between the relatively dense strings of villages along the lower river valleys and the very low-density, nucleated settlements in the upper reaches of the rivers and on the Downs.

 ‘The ancient city of is located at the heart of this landscape and at the centre of the Itchen Valley, and the more modern, rapidly expanding towns of Basingstoke and Andover are on downland sites at the head of the Loddon and Test valleys.’

5.4 The NCA lists the valleys, meadows, watercourses and settlements of the Test and Itchen valleys as Landscape Attributes with the following justifications for selection:

 These straight-sided, narrow, incised valleys are the dominant linear features of the NCA, contrasting sharply with the blocks of downland, they cut through the landscape and provide the focus for settlement, such as Alresford, Stockbridge, Whitchurch and Overton, and the communication routes that connect them.

 The rivers and their watermeadows acted as a magnet for early agriculture and water powered industry, the basis for watercress cultivation and fly fishing, the habitat for many of the priority species and a draw for much recreation and tourism.

 As a water resource both catchments are very important and support numerous priority freshwater wetland species and habitats.

 The whole length of the Itchen valley is a Special Area for Conservation (SAC); the only one wholly in the NCA.

North Wessex Downs AONB:

5.5 The AONB is a national designation that seeks to protect the special qualities of the area. The AONB is guided by a Council of Partners: a governing body that guides and monitors work to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the North Wessex Downs. The AONB Council of Partners has identified special qualities that give the area its special character and distinctiveness:

 Downs Plain & Scarp

 Downland with woodland

 Wooded Plateau

 High Chalk Plain

 Vales

 River Valleys

 Lowland Mosaic.

5.6 The application site falls within Landscape Character Area 7C: Bourne Valley, one of the

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areas identified as part of the River Valleys Landscape Type, which is described as:

‘The chalk rivers that cut through the chalk uplands form very distinct linear landscapes, characterised by a rich mix of grazed pastures, water meadows, wetland and woodland. The valleys are enclosed by steeply rising slopes, limiting views and creating an intimate and enclosed character. Historically, the main settlements of the chalk were concentrated in these river valleys. These settlements took a long linear form, following the bottom of the valley, and this remains the dominant pattern to this day. The chalk uplands (in other character areas) are also cut by numerous dry valleys, which sometimes contain ephemeral ‘winterbournes’ only flowing when the chalk water table rises to the surface during the winter and early spring.’

5.7 Key characteristics of the Bourne Valley Landscape Character Area are:

 a flat, narrow floor, enclosed by relatively steep valley sides, creating a small scale intimate landscape;

 the valley is initiated at the spring at Upton where the River Swift issues, disappearing into the chalk further downstream and emerging at Hurstbourne Tarrant as the Bourne Rivulet flowing to the Test (beyond the AONB);

 narrow floodplain predominantly under pasture set in small fields enclosed by hedgerows and punctuated by small woodland copses, which pick out the course of the river;

 lower valley sides are mainly in arable use with thin linear beech plantations being a particular characteristic of these slopes;

 parkland is an important feature, with Hurtsbourne Park incorporating a medieval deer park and an early designed landscape park;

 operational watercress beds south of St. Mary Bourne are a distinctive feature;

 varied field pattern. Some fields are small and irregular and may represent late medieval or post-medieval enclosure, with the more regular, straight-edged fields resulting from formal Parliamentary enclosure;

 numerous small settlements - some extend in a linear form along the valley, and others cluster on the valley side above crossing points. Buildings are largely of the local vernacular brick and tile;

 distinctive pattern of roads, lanes and byways - many branching from the principal valley road creating a grid-like pattern.

County Landscape Character:

5.8 The Hampshire Integrated Landscape Character Assessment complements local Landscape Character Assessments by providing a strategic overview. It provides an evidence base to be used in the county’s work, including strategic planning, land management work and place shaping programmes and replaces the 2000 character assessment ‘The Hampshire Landscape: A Strategy for the Future’.

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5.9 The application site falls within an area described as Landscape Character Area 3B: Test Valley.

5.10 Key characteristics of the Landscape Character Area are:

 Chalk geology in the north changing to lower lying Tertiary Clays/Plateau Gravels in the south.

 Steep abrupt valley sides becoming gentler further south, long tributaries extending deep into the chalk hinterland.

 Clear alkaline nutrient rich spring water supporting a rich biodiversity and nationally designated riverine, wetland, grassland, and woodland habitats.

 Generally meandering and braided river course boarded by luxuriant riverine vegetation, reedbeds, marshes and former water meadows.

 Unimproved grazed floodplain meadows, arable production on valley terraces, pasture and arable on valley sides.

 Floodplains with no obvious field pattern and overlapping vegetation comprising individual trees, remnant hedgerows and small carr woodlands.

 Valley sides have a range of different enclosure patterns and scales with fields define by hedgerow and hedgerow trees.

 Generally unspoilt, remote and tranquil except for urban influences and noise intrusion close to major towns and roads.

 Generally winding roads and lanes following the edge of the valley floor.

 Intact historic village morphology little altered by 20th C development and significant concentration of use of cob as a building material.

 Small settlements in main valley and tributaries and very lightly populated chalk surroundings contrast in the south with the urban setting beyond the valley edge of Totton and Southampton.

 Views limited to valley floor but good views across and along the valley from open parts of the valley sides

5.11 A number of Landscape Types are identified over the county and within the Test Valley Landscape Character Area. The Hampshire Integrated Landscape Character Assessment describes Landscape Types: ‘Landscape Types are the building blocks of landscape classification and are classified mainly on the basis of factors such as soils, landform, vegetation and settlement pattern. They are generic and can occur anywhere in the County. For example Woodland and Plantation on Heath occurs as a Landscape Type in the New Forest, as well as near Farnborough and in parts of the Weald in East Hampshire.’

5.12 The application site is located in an area described as Downland Mosaic Small Scale. Key Characteristics are:

 Frequently undulating chalk and clay downland with fairly steep slopes and occasional

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small scarps which can be a mix of wooded and open downland.

 A well wooded, some of ancient origin and strong hedgerow network which contrasts with areas of more open predominantly arable fields.

 Numerous, small woodlands and mature and well treed mixed hedgerows, indicative of assarting and small fields with wavy boundaries suggesting informal enclosures.

 Assart woods and fields tend to be most numerous and intact in these landscapes compared with other downland types.

 Few late parliamentary enclosures.

 Falls almost exclusively within AONB boundaries suggesting high degree of aesthetic qualities.

 Low density road and lane network where this type occurs in mid and west Hampshire –higher density further east.

 A mosaic of land uses and management; arable dominated but also with permanent pasture, sites managed for biodiversity objectives, public access and, woodland and field margins managed for game.

 Association with open access areas under CRoW Act on small scarps and downland.

 Settlements outside the river valleys are mainly small hamlets and church and manors in dry valley bottoms where this type occurs.

 Higher proportion of older (17thC and before) farmsteads than other downland types.

 Constantly changing views with panoramas from high points across undulating downs to river valleys and more truncated ones constrained by woodland strips and high hedges and along dry valleys.

Borough Landscape Character:

5.13 The Borough of Basingstoke and Deane is a predominantly rural, agricultural district which covers a land area of some 245 square miles of north-east Hampshire. It embraces a diverse pattern of landscapes, including rolling chalk downland, pastoral river valleys, historic parkland, remnants of ancient forests and intimate mosaics of lowland farmland and woodland, with a scattering of farms, villages and hamlets, and a few larger settlements, including Basingstoke.

5.14 A total of 33 landscape character types are listed within the Borough. Being located within the settlement boundary, the application site is included in an area identified as urban.

5.15 20 Landscape Character Areas are identified within the Borough. St Mary Bourne is included in Landscape Character Area 12: Test and Bourne Valley. Key characteristics are:

 two distinct river valleys, merging south-west of Whitchurch, with flat floors, abrupt sloping valley sides and a strong sense of place;

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 narrow valley floors, dominated by pasture ,with linear woodland belts in upper reaches and with a distinctive riparian vegetation and pastoral character, widening south-west of Whitchurch and developing a more open character;

 patchwork of predominantly medium to large-scale parliamentary fields, with intact hedgerows under mixed farmland, and with small woodland blocks along valley sides;

 area west of Whitchurch lies predominantly within the North Wessex Downs AONB, generally possessing an unspoilt, intimate character, with limited intrusion from people, traffic and noise. A sense of remoteness pervades some of the less accessible parts of the river valley;

 semi-enclosed nature to the 17th-18th century informally enclosed ladder fields, and small wavy-fields on the slopes of the Bourne, due to their strong hedgerow and tree structure, in contrast to the slightly more open slopes of the Test;

 valuable aquatic and wetland habitats along the river valleys (the whole of the Test being an SSSI and Environmentally Sensitive Area), including East Aston Common (SSSI), supporting extensive fen communities and riparian habitats associated with one of Britain’s finest chalk stream systems;

 areas of water meadow and unimproved grassland habitats, including Bere Mill Meadows (SSSI), a damp, unimproved herb-rich neutral grassland in the Upper Test Valley;

 scattered remnants of ancient semi-natural woodland along the valley sides, the larger examples associated with parkland;

 nationally important historic parklands including the Grade II Hurstbourne Park and Grade II* Park, contributing a well-managed character to the landscape;

 intervisibility varying with location, minimised significantly by vegetation and landform within the valley floor and lower slopes, with more open views across the valley system obtainable from higher ground;

 fairly high settlement density, particularly along the Test valley, with towns, villages and hamlets developing along the lower valley sides and valley floor, bringing an urbanised character in places. Main routes through the landscape running along the lower valley slopes and valley floor, except for the A34 dual carriageway that crosses the Test Valley and ;

 medieval settlements of Overton and Whitchurch.

Conservation Area Appraisal:

5.16 The St Mary Bourne and Stoke Conservation Area was designated in 1985 by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in recognition of its special architectural and historic interest. A Conservation Area Appraisal for St Mary Bourne and Stoke, defining and analysing the qualities and elements that contribute to, or detract from, the special interest of the area, was adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance by the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane on 17 July 2003.

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5.17 The application site is located in a defined sub-area, Area 1: St Mary Bourne which is described as follows:

‘The special appearance of this sub-area is derived from the combination of the gently curving linear development of buildings along the level river valley floor, and a varied mix of properties - the front building lines of these properties are generally tight to the back edge of the pavement. They form distinctive groups interspersed with key spaces. This combination creates a continually changing and varied street scene beyond each curve in the road.

‘Although the village comprises many individual buildings of intrinsic architectural or historic interest, the appearance of the Conservation Area has a cohesive quality. This is due to the similarity in scale, form, and vernacular building traditions, particular to this part of Hampshire, and notably the contribution made by thatched roofs.

‘Predominantly residential in character, St Mary Bourne still retains a semi-rural quality given its narrow plan form. The immediate presence of the surrounding landscape being evident in glimpses between or behind the buildings. The interwoven nature of the river through the settlement is also a distinctive and defining characteristic of the village.’

5.18 The inclusion of the application site in the St Mary Bourne Conservation Area means that all trees on the site are protected by the provisions in section 211 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. These provisions require people to notify the local planning authority, using a ‘section 211 notice’, 6 weeks before carrying out certain work on such trees, unless an exception applies. The work may go ahead before the end of the 6 week period if the local planning authority gives consent. This notice period gives the authority an opportunity to consider whether to make an Order on the tree.

Neighbourhood Plan:

5.19 The neighbourhood area for St Mary Bourne was designated on the 24 July 2013. Pre- Submission consultation on the St Mary Bourne NP took place between 15 April 2016 and 27 May 2016.

Analysis of the site and its landscape setting:

5.20 Key characteristics from published landscape character assessments that are relevant to the site and its setting are summarised as follows:

 Rolling, elevated, frequently undulating chalk arable downland with open, exposed character that provides open skies and long-distance views. Fairly steep slopes and occasional small scarps which can be a mix of wooded and open downland;

 Elevated plateaux and upper valley slopes characterised by extensive open tracts of large, low-hedged fields with thin chalky soils;

 Settlement in contrasting sheltered valley with network of pasture with hedgerows, interspersed by areas of predominantly ash woodland;

 Flat valley floor, enclosed by relatively steep valley sides, creating a small scale intimate landscape;

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 Narrow floodplain predominantly under pasture set in small fields enclosed by hedgerows and punctuated by small woodland copses, which pick out the course of the river;

 Varied field pattern. Some fields are small and irregular and may represent late medieval or post-medieval enclosure, with the more regular, straight-edged fields resulting from formal Parliamentary enclosure;

 Numerous, small woodlands and mature and well treed mixed hedgerows, indicative of assarting and small fields with wavy boundaries suggesting informal enclosures;

 Relatively dense village settlement along the lower river valley, farms and homesteads on higher slopes;

 Network of distinctive and ancient droving roads and trackways. Generally winding roads and lanes following the edge of the valley floor;

 Bourne Rivulet and its watermeadows has historical importance for early agriculture and water powered industry. Watercourse often braided;

 operational watercress beds south of St. Mary Bourne are a distinctive feature;

 Intact historic village morphology little altered by 20th C development;

 Buildings brick and tile with flint and knapped flint detailing and traditional thatching;

 Generally unspoilt, remote and tranquil being some distance from urban influences and noise intrusion more prevalent close to major towns and roads;

 Views limited to valley but good views across and along the valley from open parts of the valley sides;

 Views constantly changing with panoramas from high points across undulating downs to river valleys and more truncated ones constrained by woodland strips and high hedges and along dry valleys.

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6 LANDSCAPE BASELINE: SITE SETTING, SURVEY AND ANALYSIS (FIGURES 4 AND 5) Physical Influences.

6.1 Interactions of landform and drainage create a strong landscape feature in the valley of the Bourne Rivulet. The wider landscape is more typical of chalk downland, with thin, but well drained soil used historically for cultivation, creating a generally open, elevated landscape of with gently rolling topography.

6.2 The watercourse itself is understood to flow seasonally, and the lake in the village centre is understood to be man-made. The valley floor is flat, and varies in width, exhibiting areas of flood meadow along its length.

6.3 Whilst the valley is a strong feature in the landscape, the side slopes in the area of St Mary Bourne exhibit only occasional small scarp slopes. Often there is a wide transition in gradient from open plateaux to valley side.

Influences of Human Activity.

6.4 The area is predominantly agricultural with arable farmland on higher ground, woodland and pasture on steeper ground closer to settlement. The arable land appears more intensively managed, but everywhere there is a feeling that the land is managed for productivity. The rectilinear field boundaries reveal the value of the land for cultivation since the agricultural revolution.

6.5 There are contrasts of openness and enclosure; the higher, flatter landscape affording more open ‘big sky’ views, although these are often restricted by woodlands and hedgerow. The valley is more enclosed, by both landform and vegetation, but breaks in the vegetation provide open views over the picturesque valley, with occasional glimpses of historic buildings, the lake at St Mary Bourne and water meadows along the Bourne.

6.6 The historical use of the valley floor as a transport route is evident, with settlement and agricultural supporting industries, and other land uses, clustered along the main route; the corridor of the present day B3048. The main road corridor adopts an alignment roughly parallel with the Bourne Rivulet.

6.7 The settlement pattern is spreading; the main villages of Stoke and St Mary Bourne extending along the B3048 corridor form sparsely developed nuclei centred around small village squares, or merely at junctions where side roads meet the main road.

6.8 Buildings are mainly residential. Farmsteads and historic houses in the older parts of the villages and hamlets are characterised by use of traditional materials such as brick and flint, with occasional cob and thatch. Victorian/Edwardian houses extending further along the road corridor are predominantly brick built. Post war development is generally sporadic and sometimes single storey, or storey and a half, especially on the steeper sloping ground of the valley sides.

6.9 There are very occasional more recent and new housing developments, some of which have not been designed to respect the historic development pattern and challenging

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topography. Stevens Green, to the south east of the application site is an example of a development which is visually intrusive as a result.

Land Cover.

6.10 Oak, ash, hornbeam and beech are frequent in the area, with ash being the most abundant tree species in the vicinity of the application site. These species dominate woodland blocks and plantations, and tree lined boundaries in the valley.

6.11 Understorey and hedgerow species include hawthorn, field maple, hazel, elder and dogwood. Dogrose and clematis occur frequently in hedgerows.

Aesthetics and Perceptual Aspects of the Landscape.

6.12 The change in landscape character is broad in scale, with the strong contrast between open arable rolling chalk plateaux and the more complex river valley landscape with settlement, enclosure and grazing. The feeling of tranquillity is uniform however, with both landscapes being some distance from the busier road corridors (such as the A303) forming part of the national transport network, and larger towns.

6.13 There is a strong feeling of interdependence between settlement and countryside, and remoteness from busier urban areas and infrastructure.

6.14 The application site itself is located in a position that overlooks the settlement, albeit in glimpse views only, through boundary vegetation. Both are confined within the river valley, imparting a sense that the site ‘belongs’ to the settlement rather than countryside.

Landscape Character, Condition and Sensitivity.

6.15 Figure 4 illustrates the varying characteristics of the landscape in and around St Mary Bourne, and describes combinations of elements, aesthetics and perceptual aspects which are distinctive for different areas. This analysis is based on information from published Landscape Character Assessments and survey data acquired as part of the landscape survey carried out to support this report.

6.16 The distinctive north-west to south-east alignment of the Bourne River valley provides a strong linear corridor with broadly similar landscape characteristics, alternating between pasture dominated to settlement dominated and back again. Views are contained by topography, vegetation and buildings, helping to absorb development into the landscape.

6.17 On either side of the valley are the steeper valley side slopes. The mouths of dry chalk valleys open out onto the valley floor at intervals along these slopes, and are revealed by occasional long narrow fields perpendicular to the river valley. In these areas are mosaics of land uses and field patterns, predominantly pasture with some pony paddocks and only occasional arable farmland. There are small blocks of woodland and plantation, and a generally strong hedgerow structure often with mature trees. Vegetation, where it occurs, bolsters the capacity of the landscape to absorb development, which otherwise is low, but gaps in vegetation reverse this benefit and provide open views across and along the valley.

6.18 At St Mary Bourne, the south-west facing valley side slope (where the application site is

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located) is generally steeper and more enclosed by vegetation than the opposite valley side. The pattern of settlement is aligned towards this side of the valley, and is generally unobtrusive, but where vegetation is sparse, modern developments visually exude from the landscape. The tower of the Parish Church of St Peter provides a local landmark in views along the valley.

6.19 Higher ground beyond the valley side slopes provides flatter terrain for larger, more productive arable fields. The soft chalk rock creates an undulating landscape with a wavy edge where dry valleys meet the river corridor. The topography provides natural vantage points, but typically the pattern of roads and footpaths follow the valleys rather than the rounded ridges, so these vantage points are mostly not accessible to the general public.

6.20 The higher ground tends to be open with distant views, but these are generally simple horizontal views with flat horizons and little foreground and middle distance detail; the ‘big sky’ views typical of large scale, open landscapes, with low capacity to absorb development.

6.21 All areas around St Mary Bourne, including the settlement along the river floor are unspoilt and tranquil. The condition is good throughout, and despite large areas of intensively managed farmland, likely to support diverse communities of flora and fauna overall.

Site access and permeability.

6.22 The existing access to the application site from Spring Hill Lane utilises the only opportunity for direct access from the public highway. There may be potential for enhancing access for pedestrians to and from Footpath 29, but preferably this should not be done at the expense of the evergreen screen vegetation between the main part of the site and the footpath.

Site Constraints and Opportunities.

6.23 A number of observations have been made regarding the potential for development on the application site:

 Steep boundary slopes present maintenance and other safety issues;

 Potentially wide open views restricted by mature boundary vegetation with value for screening/absorbing development into landscape;

 Neighbouring broadleaved plantation woodland further upslope provides valuable backdrop to future development;

 Application site itself is unused/derelict in character, in otherwise well managed landscape;

 Steep entrance with challenging visibility for access onto local access road, may require removal of valuable screening vegetation;

 Narrow shape of site restricts potential for developing a deeper development which could appear more intrusive in views from the south-west.

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7 VISUAL APPRAISAL (FIGURE 6 AND PHOTO SURVEY SHEETS) 7.1 Local roads and footpaths were walked to assess the visibility of the existing site and the likely visibility of the proposed development. The photographic survey sheets are at the end of this report with the photographic viewpoint locations identified on Figure 6.

7.2 The survey work was carried out on 20 January 2017. The weather was dry and sunny with good visibility. During the summer and early autumn months the site and locality is less open and visible due to the extent of mature deciduous tree cover and field boundaries. During the winter months the views from the surrounding areas would be expected to be more ’open’. The photographs were taken with a 50mm focal length lens 35mm digital camera at 1.78m above ground level.

On-site survey and views from site

7.3 Views of site entrance (Photo Views 1, 2 and 4): The shared access drive serving the application site and neighbouring residence, the Bankcroft, is steep and narrow. It is enclosed by tall evergreen vegetation which effectively screens views to and from the public footpath contiguous with the site’s south eastern boundary. The drive itself creates an opening in boundary vegetation, enabling visual connectivity with the wider landscape.

7.4 The Bankcroft overlooks the application site, being located higher up the steep valley side slope. Established boundary vegetation, augmented by planting of new boundary hedgerows provides some screening and enclosure.

7.5 Views north-west; central part of application site (Photo Views 3, 5, 6, 7, and 10): These views illustrate the effectiveness of boundary slopes and vegetation in restricting views of surrounding land uses.

7.6 View south-east from north-western end of application site (Photo View 8): Higher ground at the north-western end of the application site affords distant views south-east over the evergreen boundary vegetation adjacent to the public footpath near the site entrance.

7.7 View north-east from north-western end of application site (Photo Views 9 and 11): These views illustrate the enclosure of the site by landform; the rising ground of the upper valley side slope and plantation trees screen views from the north-east, and provide a backdrop to the site in views from the south and west.

7.8 View of north-eastern boundary vegetation (Photo Views 12 to 15): Existing deciduous and new evergreen boundary vegetation helps reduce visibility of application site from neighbouring property.

7.9 Views south-east from site to surrounding landscape and settlement (Photo Views 16 to 21): These views illustrate the potential visual connectivity between the application site and the valley of the Bourne Rivulet, including some parts of the settlement of St Mary Bourne. Whilst glimpse views are available from the site in winter, the existing vegetation provides an effective screen, and it is likely that visibility is negligible in summer when trees are in full leaf.

Visibility of site from public rights of way

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7.10 Views from Spring Hill Lane towards application site (Photo Views 22 to 29): the steep south-west facing boundary slope and its vegetation restrict views into the site from the lane. Views into the site only occur for a short length of the road at the south-eastern end of the application site, and are restricted to the south-eastern part of the application site only.

7.11 Views from lower parts of St Mary Bourne towards application site (Photo Views 30, 35- 37, 51-54, 56 and 57): These views show that whilst application site boundary vegetation is visible from the valley floor, views into the site are rarely seen. View 54 shows the (distant) view into the south-eastern end of the site from Derrydown Clinic, afforded by the break in boundary vegetation at the site entrance. There are occasional views from Footpath 32, contiguous with the south-west bank of the lake.

7.12 Occasionally in these winter views the ridges of the workshop barns on the application site can be seen through trees, but unlikely to be seen when trees are in leaf.

7.13 Views from rising ground to the north-east of the application site (Photo Views 31-34): These views illustrate that the application site is not seen in views from the upper reaches of Footpath 29: views being restricted by topography and vegetation.

7.14 Views from the north-east facing valley side (Photo Views 38-44): Users of footpaths 34 and 36 do have views of the application site, albeit that the views are occasionally screened by middle distance vegetation in the vicinity of the Bourne Meadow Recreation Ground and the lake near the Derrydown Clinic. The application site boundary vegetation can clearly be seen, and the former dwelling building at the south-eastern end of the site can often be identified through the gap in vegetation at the site entrance.

7.15 Views from the north-east facing valley side (Photo Views 45-50): Users of footpaths higher up the valley side and further west generally do not have views of the application site. Occasionally the boundary vegetation can be distinguished, but views into the site are restricted by vegetation and are more distant than from Footpaths 34 and 36.

7.16 Views from elevated vantage points to the east (Photo View 55): Users of footpath 502 do not have views of the application site. The footpath follows an alignment along the western side of the field boundary hedgerow, but even where there are breaks in the hedgerow vegetation, the views towards the site are restricted by vegetation and topography.

Summary

7.17 The application site is in a prominent position but generally well screened by boundary vegetation. Topography provides a visual backdrop to the site in views from the south- west and helps to provide a sense of enclosure on the north-eastern side.

7.18 There are a small number of residential properties in close proximity to the application site, but only one overlooks it. The steep boundary slopes between the application site and Spring Hill Lane are sufficiently high that views of the application site from properties along the lane are restricted to views of the slopes themselves, and not into the site.

7.19 Existing evergreen vegetation along the north-western side of the public footpath

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adjacent to the application site prevents views into it.

7.20 As a result, visual effects of the development of the application site on sensitive receptors (residents and users of the public footpath) are likely to be minimal.

7.21 Public footpaths with views into the application site are limited to Footpaths immediately south of the village centre, within and around the Bourne Meadow Recreation Ground: Footpaths 32, 34, and 36-38.

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8 LANDSCAPE RECOMMENDATIONS

8.1 Responding to the desk study and site survey revealing the nature of the local landscape from the above listed landscape character assessments and the condition of existing site and landscape features, the key landscape recommendations for the application site are as follows:

 Any proposed removal of vegetation to accommodate improved access arrangements for the site will need careful consideration to minimise and mitigate partial loss of this important screen;

 The provision of spatial opportunities for planting large growing trees within the layout will help mitigate any potential adverse effects of the development;

 The use of a mixture of materials to reflect local vernacular and the characteristics of existing large houses on the south facing step valley side slope will help mitigate potential adverse effects of any proposed development; and,

 Long ridgelines of buildings to be avoided where possible, e.g. by the incorporation of dormer windows and stepped roof levels, especially at south eastern end of application site.

8.2 Pre-application advice was sought and received from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on 31 October 2016; application reference 16/03356/EN28 for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of 10 houses with garages and parking. Key planning considerations were:

 the loss of an employment site;

 impact on the Conservation Area;

 impact on the local and AONB landscape;

 impact on highways,

 biodiversity and trees; and,

 impact on contaminated land.

8.3 The pre-application consultation report is included at Appendix 1. The application scheme is now for a lower density development which addresses planning concerns of the council officer, responding to suggestions made and summarised as follows:

Housing Mix:

 Planning policy requires the provision of predominately 2 and 3 bed dwellings.

Layout:

 the numbers of dwellings should be reduced to provide more spacing and vegetation between plots in order to achieve a more spacious and informal layout to the development;

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 a more informal arrangement to the plots and more spacing between buildings should be applied in order to relate more appropriately to the character and appearance of the area;

 the overall layout could be significantly improved through the removal of plots 6 and 10 and the integration of the proposed garaging within the elevations of the proposed dwellings.

Scale and Design

 it is suggested that the scale of all development is reduced to 1.5 storeys in height as a maximum. In addition it is suggested that the material palette is simplified to allow the development to respond to the rural and wooded context of the site whilst still respecting the characteristics of the St Mary Bourne Conservation Area and the St Mary Bourne Village Design Statement.

Character and Visual Impact

8.4 The concerns of the planning officer based on the response of the borough landscape officer were summarised as:

 The layout is very suburban, with properties laid out in a linear fashion, regularly spaced on small plots with generally narrow gaps between them. This does not reflect the less dense and more verdant character of the wider area, nor of the more widely dispersed buildings that already exist on the site.

 It is likely that given the sloping nature of the site and potential earthworks to accommodate the changing gradients, that there would be an adverse impact on some of the boundary vegetation. This would affect the verdant character of Springhill Lane and also the right of way along the southern boundary.

 It is likely that the development will be visible from a wider area, particularly from paths on rising ground on the opposite side of the valley and from within the valley floor itself. Given the dense layout, there is not the space within the site to allow a landscape structure to grow to soften the impact of the development.

8.5 Following the pre-application consultation, a scheme was proposed that comprised:

 8 units with 6 integral and 2 detached garages;

 The omission of 2 of the previously proposed 4 bedroom houses;

 Some realignment to reduce the linearity of layout;

 The 4 units closest to the south-eastern end of the site have a reduced ridge height with a split level profile from front to back;

 Facade designs responding to the rural character of the area

8.6 This appraisal considers the revised scheme responds to key landscape and visual issues by:

30 626 – Demolition of Existing Buildings and Proposed Erection of 8 Dwellings - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6BG: Landscape Appraisal

 Slightly reducing the height of Units 1 to 4

8.7 It is recommended that detailed design, construction and operational/maintenance and management phases of the development pay strict attention to:

 The protection of existing boundary vegetation;

 The enhancement of existing boundary vegetation; and,

 Management responsibilities and proposals that ensure the longevity of the enhanced boundary vegetation.

8.8 It is also recommended that the remaining trees on site be surveyed and included in the Tree Constraints Plan and Arboricultural Impact Assessment. Detailed design should include an Arboricultural Method Statement to ensure the protection of the south- eastern boundary trees.

31 626 – Demolition of Existing Buildings and Proposed Erection of 8 Dwellings - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6BG: Landscape Appraisal

9 LANDSCAPE STRATEGY (FIGURE 8)

9.1 Boundary vegetation will be enhanced. Existing trees will be protected through the construction period with tree protective fencing. Detailed design of the access roads shall adopt a ‘no-dig’ policy within Root Protection Areas of retained trees where possible, and specialist arboricultural advice will be sought to assist in the design of non- invasive surfacing.

9.2 For the south-western boundary vegetation, the landscape proposals will include planting to augment the long term screening function of this vegetation by planting light canopied, but native tree species along the top of the bank, and understorey shrubs with a high native evergreen component. Suggested species are wild cherry (Prunus avium) rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), birch (Betula pendula), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), holly (Ilex aquifolium) and yew (Taxus baccata). Trees and shrubs growing on the steeper slope will be augmented with shade tolerant understorey trees and shrubs such as hazel, (Corylus avellana), elder (Sambucus nigra), holly (Ilex aquifolium) and yew (Taxus baccata). This planting will be protected by a timber post and rail fence backed with chain link or other mesh fencing.

9.3 The north-eastern boundary vegetation will be augmented by infill planting of native tree and shrub species, thinning of saplings in favour of stronger specimens, and periodic coppicing of willow.

9.4 No additional planting is proposed along the south-eastern boundary. The existing planting will be protected during construction. A full Arboricultural Impact Assessment and Method Statement is required to ensure the Root Protection Areas of these trees are protected throughout the construction and operational phases of the development.

9.5 Within the site, front gardens will be defined by appropriate boundary planting, and opportunities will be sought to create a strong tree canopy structure in front of the houses. Native species may be too large for planning in front gardens, but the planting palette should include transitional tree species; cultivars of native species with similar characteristics to native trees, but more appropriate sizes and forms for confined spaces.

9.6 All vegetation to be planted within sightlines and utility service margins will be specified to be of species that typically do not grow higher than 600mm.

9.7 A management plan will be required to guide maintenance and management operations beyond the establishment period. This should include proposals for ensuring succession of species on the steeper slopes that will maintain stability without compromising the screening function of the existing vegetative cover.

9.8 Hard Landscape palette - The hard materials palette will be selected to provide the following functions:

 High quality, robust and durable paving;

 Permeable paving to comply with a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) as appropriate;

32 626 – Demolition of Existing Buildings and Proposed Erection of 8 Dwellings - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6BG: Landscape Appraisal

 Enhance the site aesthetically;

 To define pedestrian/vehicular movement routes within the site;

 The use of traditional surface materials to complement the buildings and in keeping with the character of the local area;

 Define external amenity and private spaces.

9.9 Planting Palette Strategy: The planting is to provide the following functions:

 Enhance the site aesthetically;

 Provide screening and privacy;

 Create shade and shelter;

 Maintain visibility within sightlines essential for safe manoeuvring of vehicles, access and egress to and from the site;

 Avoid long term damage to kerbs, paving and services;

 To create all year round interest/ structure and seasonal colour;

 Flowering and fruiting plants to encourage wildlife and enhance biodiversity;

 Define external amenity and private spaces.

33 626 – Demolition of Existing Buildings and Proposed Erection of 8 Dwellings - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6BG: Landscape Appraisal

10 CONCLUSION

10.1 This study has appraised the potential landscape and visual effects of the proposed scheme, and the conclusions are described in this chapter.

10.2 The application site is located within but at the edge of the historic settlement of St Mary Bourne which is included in the area designated as the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The settlement contains a high proportion of historic buildings of architectural merit, and the historic morphology of the settlement remains largely intact. Most of the settlement is included in the St Mary Bourne Conservation Area, including the application site.

10.3 St Mary Bourne, together with neighbouring villages and hamlets are defined by the distinctive landform feature of the flat bottomed valley of the Bourne Rivulet. The river and associated water meadows are defining and distinctive features of the settlement character.

10.4 The steep valley side slopes form a linear transition from settlement through pasture and woodland to open chalk downland. Farming has been the basis of the local economy for many centuries, and the settlement and surrounding agricultural landscape maintain a largely unspoilt remote and tranquil character.

10.5 Topographically the location of the application site is prominent, and without the high level of vegetative cover the setting would be highly sensitive to change. In fact the vegetation along the application site’s south-western boundary effectively screens most features and activities within the site, and substantially increases the landscape capacity to absorb the development.

10.6 Sensitive receptors close to the site include occupants of individual residential properties, users of public footpaths, most notably Footpath 29 which is in part contiguous with the application site’s south-eastern boundary, and the setting of listed buildings and the St Mary Bourne Conservation Area. Due to topography and landcover, views into the application site are substantially restricted, and largely limited to a very small number of adjoining properties and short lengths of public footpaths on the opposite valley side slope.

10.7 Provided that the vegetative screen afforded by peripheral vegetation on the southern boundaries of the application site is maintained, enhanced and protected during the construction period, and managed as a screen during the operational phase of the development, long term landscape and visual effects of the proposals will not be significant.

34 626 – Demolition of Existing Buildings and Proposed Erection of 8 Dwellings - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6BG: Landscape Appraisal

Legend

Application Site

Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Licence number 100037566

0 1000m

NORTH Scale 1:25,000 @ A3

Notes: Project: 626 - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Hampshire, SP11 6BG

Client: Drawing title: Revision: Spear Design Projects Ltd Figure 1: 0 Site Location Plan Stoke Legend

Application Site

150-155m AOD

140-145m AOD

B 3048 130-135m AOD

120-125m AOD

110-115m AOD

Application Site 100-105m AOD

Swampton 90-95m AOD

80-85m AOD Normandy 70-75m AOD

Contours

B 3048 Water bodies & watercourses

Ridge lines & spurs

Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Licence number 100037566

0 1000m Scale 1:25,000 @ A3 NORTH

Notes: Project: 626 - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Hampshire, SP11 6BG

Client: Drawing title: Revision: Spear Design Projects Ltd Figure 2: Relief Plan 0 Legend

Application Site

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) - North Wessex Downs

1 Green Belt (no part of the area is covered by 2 this map is designated as Green Belt) 3 4 Groundwater Protection Zone 5 Settlement Policy Boundary A 6 9 10 7 Scheduled Monuments 11 12 13 Conservation Area 15 14 16 Application 17 Floodplain Grazing Marsh Priority Habitat Site BAP 18 21 19 20 25 22 26 & 27 23 Ancient Woodlands 28 24 29 30 31 32 33 Deciduous Woodland Priority Habitat 34 35 36 BAP 37 38 39 40 Site of Importance for Conservation (SINC)

Byway

Public Footpath

41 National Trail/ Long Distance Route - 42 Test Way

43 Listed buildings

44 45 0 500m 0 500m Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Licence number 100037566 NORTH Scale 1:10,000 @ A3

Notes: 8. Granary & Barn at Butlers Farmhouse: II 17. Forge Cottage: II 26 & 27. Post Office & Outbuilding: II 36. Gable Cottage: II 44. Barn NE of Derrydown Project: Listed Buildings 9. Butlers Farmhouse: II 18. Spring Cottage: II 28. Holdway Cottage: II 37. Church Cottage: II Farmhouse:II 626 - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary 1. Gangbridge House: II 10. Peach House: II 19. Spring House: II 29. Summerhaugh Cottage & Barn : II 38. Eyles Cottage & April Cottage: II 45. Derrydown Farmhouse:II 2. Gangbridge Cottage: II 11. Barn NW of Pound Cottage: II 20. Diplands Cottage Wayfarers Cottage: II 30. The Old Plough: II 39. Pioneer House; The Malt House; Little Habitats Bourne, Hampshire, SP11 6BG 3. Myrtle Cottage: II 12. Pound Cottages: II 21. Springhill Lodge: II 31. The George Inn: II Thatch & Flower Pot Queen Anne Cottage:II A. Semi-improved & Lowland 4. Squirrel Cottage: II 13. Cottages Picketts Way School: II 22. Mundays: II 32. Diamond Jubilee Lamp: II 40. Oak Beams:II Calcareous Grassland - Priority Client: Drawing title: Revision: 5. Yew Trees: II 14. Bourne Cottage: II 23. Hillview Cottages: II 33. Fourways Fourways Cottage: II 41. Tillydown Cottage & Barn NE:II Habitat BAP Spear Design Projects Ltd Figure 3: A 6. Whitefloods: II 15. Swampton House: II 24. Hansdel Langley The Cottage: II 34. St Peters Cottage:II 42. Link Cottage:II B. 7. Longhouse: II 16. Worrage: II 25. Devoran & Rivers Edge: II 35. St Peter’s Church: I & Table Tombs :II 43. Cartshed N of Derrydown Farmhouse:II Planning Context Test Valley LCA 3b. Landscape Test Valley LCA 3b. Edge of NW Hampshire Downs LCA 7a Legend Character Type River Valley Floor: Landscape Character Type Landscape Character Type Dowland Meandering braided river Downland Mosaic Small Mosaic Small Scale: Undulating arable channel of clear water. Scale: Predominantly arable chalk/clay downland often with elevated Application site Pasture dominated undulating chalk landscape, views. Generally strong hedgerow structure. with water meadows. Views contained Predominantly SW facing by topography. valley side slope occasionally wooded and with strong Settlement boundary hedgerow structure. Broadly associated with settlement, which extends into this area at St Mary Bourne. Conservation Area Boundary Occasional pasture and Test Valley LCA 3b. Landscape open views over valley. Character Type Downland Mosaic Largely unspoilt. Remote Small Scale: Predominantly arable Hampshire Integrated Landscape and tranquil. undulating chalk landscape with formal Character Assessment Landscape enclosure field pattern, occasionally Character Area boundary wooded and with strong hedgerow structure. Frequent elevated vantage Hampshire Integrated Landscape points over dry chalk valleys associated Character Assessment Landscape with river valley beyond. Unspoilt, open, remote and tranquil. Character Type boundary

Fine Grain Landscape Character Type boundary

Test Valley LCA Elevated vantage points (not 3b. Landscape Test Valley LCA 3b. Character Type Valley LCA 3b. necessarily with public access) Landscape Character Type Valley Floor: Landscape Character Downland Mosaic Small Settlement Type Open Downs: Scale: Predominantly arable dominated with undulating chalk landscape, intact historic Large scale open Predominantly NE facing valley village morphology. rolling chalk farmland side slope occasionally wooded Unspoilt, remote and predominantly arable, and with strong hedgerow tranquil. with formal enclosure. structure. Broadly associated Broadly associated with with settlement, often with settlement which extends pasture and open views over into the area at St Mary valley. Unspoilt, remote and Bourne. Largely unspoilt. tranquil. Remote and tranquil.

Test Valley LCA Test Valley LCA 3b. Landscape 3b. Landscape Character Type River Character Type Open Valley Floor: Downs: Meandering braided Large scale river channel of open rolling clear water. Pasture Test Valley LCA 3b. chalk farmland dominated with Landscape Character Type predominantly water meadows. Downland Mosaic Small arable, with formal Views contained by Scale: Predominantly arable enclosure. topography. undulating chalk landscape with Strong Winding roads and Edge of Andover Open Downs formal enclosure field pattern, lanes follow edge of occasionally wooded and with association Landscape Character Area 8d. strong hedgerow structure. with settlement. valley floor. Unspoilt, Landscape Character Type Dowland remote and tranquil. Frequent elevated vantage Unspoilt, remote Mosaic Large Scale: Plateau downland, and tranquil. open expansive landscape on gently points over dry chalk valleys associated with river valley undulating topography, long distant views. beyond. Unspoilt, open, remote 0 250m Arable farmland, regular formal enclosure and tranquil. Scale 1:5,000 @ A3 pattern, weak hedgerow structure, tranquil and remote.

Notes: Project: 626 - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6BG

This drawing is the property of Bradford Smith Landscape Architect. it must not be copied or repreduced without Client: Drawing title: Revision: written consent. Figure 4: Site Survey Only figured dimensions are to be taken from this drawing. All contractors must visit site and be responsible for Spear Design Projects Ltd and Analysis: Local Landscape 0 taking and checking all dimensions related to the works shown on the drawing. Context Gap in boundary vegetation provides open views to adjacent fi eld and plantation

Mixed broad leaved vegetation - young North- eastern plantation boundary: Steep bank with native vegetation species; dominated by Ash & Sycamore trees and mixed under storey shrub linear planting creating wildlife corridor. Top of SPRING HILL LANE bank chain link fencing

Unmanaged fi eld / rough grassland

Elevated level area

Spring Hill

South-western boundary: Steep wooded em- bankment dominated by groups of mature Ash & Open view on higher Sycamore trees (many B category) and mixed under ground to The Bank Croft storey vegetation (fi eld maple, coppiced hazel and occasional hawthorn) providing effective buffer strip between the application site and adjacent properties on Spring Lane; screening from views from Derrydown Copse, Footpath 39 and from the north facing valley slope. Also provides linear wildlife/ habitat corridor The Bank Croft Legend

Application Site Glimpsed / intermittent Boundary views of neighbouring properties and distant views Existing Buildings and of north facing valley side outbuildings/ sheds seen through intervening embankment vegetation Existing trees & under storey vegetation

Dense scrub

Semi-improved grassland & ruderal vegetation Beech Hill Bare earth

Hard standing Public(PROW Footpath 29)

Embankment / steep Springlea Dense mixed evergreen slopes & deciduous vegetation (sycamore, ash, holly, yew, cypress, ash, box & Retaining walls / Ponderosa structures euonymus) providing effective screening from views along PROW 29 Steep shared access drive Tellstar to site and The Bank Croft

Project: 626 - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Hampshire, SP11 6BG

Client: Drawing title: Spear Design Projects Ltd Figure 5: Revision: Site Features & Analysis Legend

Application Site

Photograph locations and direction 21 (yellow fill denotes development likely to be visible, but not necessarily prominant Photograph locations and direction 21 (white fill denotes development predominantly screened or not likely to be visible)

Public Rights of Way

Public Rights of Way which would have views of proposed development at least during winter 34 months 50

33 29

32 9 57 31 11 8 56

7 30 28 12 35 51 36 49 37 52 48 53 14 17 47 38, 27 19 18 6 39&41 5 15 54 10 13 2 21 1 16 26 20 40 3 4 46 25 42

23 43 24 22 55 45 44 0 100m Inset Scale 1:2,500 @ A3

0 500m

Scale 1:10,000 @ A3 Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Licence number 100037566 NORTH Notes: Project: 626 - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6BG

This drawing is the property of Bradford Smith Landscape Architect. it must not be copied or repreduced without Client: Drawing title: Revision: written consent. Only figured dimensions are to be taken from this drawing. All contractors must visit site and be responsible for Spear Design Projects Ltd Figure 6: Photograph 0 taking and checking all dimensions related to the works shown on the drawing. Locations and Visual Effects The Bankcroft Shared access drive Shared access drive

PHOTO VIEW 1: View of former office accommodation and garages at eastern end of application site. Neighbouring dwelling, The PHOTO VIEW 2: View of eastern facade of building and Bankcroft seen in background. shared access drive to application site and The Bankcroft.

North- eastern boundary vegetation Shared access drive

PHOTO VIEW 3: View looking north-west from former office accommodation. Former workshop barns on left hand side. PHOTO VIEW 4: View of workshop barns looking south east towards access drive.

South-western boundary vegetation North eastern boundary vegetation

PHOTO VIEW 5: View of steep central bank dividing PHOTO VIEW 6: View looking north-west from elevated part of site north of garages. Steep bank on right hand side, trees on steeply application site, looking north-west. sloping bank on south eastern site boundary to left. PROJECT: 626 - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6BG FIGURE 7: PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS ON-SITE SURVEY SHEET 1 OF 10 South-eastern boundary vegetation Northern boundary vegetation

PHOTO VIEW 7: View of north-western end of applcation site. Distant view through boundary vegetation to north facing valley side. PHOTO VIEW 8: View from north-western end of application site looking south-east.

South-western edge of broadleaved plantation

PHOTO VIEW 9: View looking north-east from north-western end of application site through gap in boundary vegetation. Plantation is PHOTO VIEW 10: View over garage roofs from north-western categorised by Forestry Commission as Young Trees in the National Forest Inventory. facade of office building.

South-western edge of broadleaved plantation

PHOTO VIEW 11: View looking east from western end of application site through gap in boundary vegetation. Plantation is categorised by Forestry Commission as Young Trees in the National Forest Inventory. PROJECT: 626 - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6BG FIGURE 7: PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS ON-SITE SURVEY SHEET 2 OF 10 The Bankcroft

PHOTO VIEW 12: View of steeply sloping north-eastern boundary of application site. PHOTO VIEW 13: View over garage roofs from north-western facade of office building, looking towards The Bankcroft.

Boundary hedge between The The Bankcroft The Bankcroft Bankcroft and application site

PHOTO VIEW 14: View towards The Bankcroft from eastern end of elevated section of application site. PHOTO VIEW 15: View over garage roofs from western facade of office building, looking towards northern boundary.

Derry Down Copse Bedlam’s Copse on ridge Church of St Peter, St Mary Bourne Derry Down Farm Derry Down Copse seen seen in distance seen in distance through trees in distance through trees through trees

PHOTO VIEW 16: View south-west from western facade of PHOTO VIEW 17: View from north-eastern part of application site looking south-east towards Church of St Peter, St Mary Bourne. office building; glimpse views of opposite valley side slope in Workshop barns and southern boundary slope vegetation in view and north facing valley side beyond. distance. PROJECT: 626 - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6BG FIGURE 7: PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS ON-SITE SURVEY SHEET 3 OF 10 Derry Down Copse seen in distance through trees Springlea

Beech Hill

Beech Hill

Garage to Beech Hill

PHOTO VIEW 18: View from southern edge of application site PHOTO VIEW 19: View from southern edge of application site PHOTO VIEW 20: View from southern edge of application site looking south over neighbouring properties. looking south over neighbouring properties. looking south over neighbouring properties.

Springlea

PHOTO VIEW 21: View from southern edge of application site looking south over neighbouring properties.

PROJECT: 626 - Bank Top, Springhill Lane, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6BG FIGURE 7: PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS ON-SITE SURVEY SHEET 4 OF 10