Northwhiteley Design and Access Statement

JGP Lakedale

NorthWhiteley Design and Access Statement

19 December 2014 FOREWORD THE NORTH WHITELEY CONSORTIUM THIS DOCUMENT Policy SH3 of Winchester City Council’s adopted The development is being promoted by a The approach taken in this document is to lead Joint Core Strategy (March 2013) identifies Consortium of developers and a landowner, the reader through the logical sequence of a site measuring over 200ha for residential comprising Bovis Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Crest context review and master plan evolution that the development of ‘about 3,500’ dwellings, with Nicholson and the Bunney family. Collectively design team followed to arrive at the parameters supporting uses and services, to the north of the they control all of the land within the proposed and illustrative master plan as set out here and existing settlement of Whiteley. application boundary. They have considerable within the wider application documents. experience in delivering large-scale housing This Design and Access Statement accompanies developments with associated services and a suite of documents that collectively make up infrastructure. the outline planning application for the North Whiteley urban extension. It seeks to explain Together with their consultant team, which the design thinking behind the application and includes Terence O’Rourke and Peter Brett suggested parameters, as well as illustrating how Associates, the Consortium has sought to these could be interpreted within a master plan. devise a robust and appropriate master plan which recognises the existing context along with local aspirations, whilst reflecting current design thinking.

All figures (unless otherwise stated) © Terence O’Rourke Ltd 2014. Based upon the 2014 Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown Copyright Terence O’Rourke Ltd Licence number 100019980. North whiteley design and access statement

JGP Lakedale

NorthWhiteley Design and Access Statement

December 2014 Railway Line

North whiteley Botley design and access statement

Botley Road

CONTENTS

Foreword

01 Vision for North Whiteley Curbridge

02 introduction Barn Farm Coldland Copse Barn Farm Copse 03 site context River Hamble

04 constraints and Blackmoor Copse opportunities Ridge Farm Railway Line 05 evolving Whiteley Bury Farm 06 Development concept

Whiteley 07 master plan Whiteley Farm Pastures Burridge 08 Green infrastructure Sawpit Copse

Botley Road

Whiteley Lane

Bluebell Way Whiteley Town Centre

Meadowside Leisure Centre & Sports Pitches Gull Coppice

Gull Coppice Local Centre

Whiteley Way

Red line M27 Solent Business Park Aerial Location Plan Junction 9 Railway Line North whiteley design and access statement

The North Whiteley Design and Access Statement should be read in conjunction with the Design Code. The Design and North Whiteley North Whiteley Access Statement describes the context to the development, Design & Access Statement Design Code the characteristics of the site, the design concept and the proposed master plan. The Design Code describes site wide features such as green infrastructure and movement proposals. It then goes on to detail the proposed identity areas and finishes with technical details.

JGP JGP Lakedale Lakedale

NorthWhiteley NorthWhiteley Design and Access Statement Design Code

December 2 0 1 4 December 2 0 1 4

Foreword 01 introduction 01 Vision for North Whiteley 02 site wide coding 02 introduction 03 identity area specific coding 03 site context 04 Detailing and technical elements 04 constraints and opportunities Appendix A 05 evolving Whiteley Master plan Layout Rationale 06 Development concept 07 master plan Appendix B 08 Green infrastructure Design Code Compliance Checklist North whiteley design and access statement

01 Vision for North Whiteley

A place which responds positively to the inherent mature Bus routes linking existing Whiteley with North Whiteley It will be a balanced community with amenities for people North Whiteley will be a landscape of the site of all ages development which celebrates the magnificent richness of the existing landscape and rebalance the community to appeal to a broader

Completed routes between Whiteley and Botley Road Two new neighbourhoods each with their own distinctive A comprehensive network of footpaths and cycleways linking cross section of the population, neighbourhood centres schools, shops and houses allowing residents to fulfil their day-to-day needs in an environmentally conscious way

Stakeholder Workshop November 2009 New habitats created throughout the extensive Green A secondary school for use by new and existing residents Sustainable living will be enhanced through the provision of Infrastructure throughout Whiteley a number of allotment sites

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Botley Road NEW HOMES Playing fields Northern Up to 3,500 new homes will be built at North & Allotments Neighbourhood Whiteley. These will be a range of sizes and Centre tenure types. Higher density housing would be grouped around the neighbourhood centres. Railway Line 01 SCHOOLS Two new primary schools will become Botley the heart of the northern and southern Road Whiteley Way neighbourhoods and a new secondary gateway school, situated at the centre of the development, fronting Whiteley Way. NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES Two neighbourhood centres, one in the Curbridge south and one in the north will provide a Stream Northern number shops, services and community Primary School North East uses. In the northern centre a dedicated Playing fields & Curbridge W Allotments community building will be provided. Northern Neighbouhood (North) Barn Farm SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE Copse SINC Traditional style homes along streets, Balancing ponds will be provided to ay squares and lanes which lead to a accommodate the storm water drainage. neighbourhood centre These have been carefully designed to Curbridge sensitively fit in with the wider landscape. Secondary School ALLOTMENTS Allotments will be provided for all new residents with supporting facilities such as Whiteley parking and services. Pastures SSSI SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL Suttons and Bedlams A range of existing and proposed footpaths Copse will provide a network of safe routes to Coldland (SINC) Copse schools and other community facilities. oad (SINC) LEISURE ROUTES Botley R A network of informal leisure routes which Coldland follow the network of woodland, tree belts Meadow and open spaces will be a great resource (SINC) hiteley Way W for all and connect with the existing Whiteley Walks. Central area & Green edges MAJOR CHILDRENS PLAY AREAS Timber clad buildings nestling amongst A range of play areas, catering for all ages, the mature woodland and tree belts Bluebell Way will be provided throughout the scheme, Whiteley allowing safe and easy access for children. Gardens This symbol shows the location of the main children’s play areas. There will be many more play areas throughout the development. OUTDOOR SPORT A total of 10 playing pitches (12 equivalent) Southern will be provided throughout North Whiteley Neighbourhood including a multi use artificial surface within Centre the secondary school. WILDLIFE AND ECOLOGY Southern Bluebell Way Sawpit Primary School The retention and creation of wildlife corridors Copse will promote a biodiversity throughout the site. SINC Whiteley Town Centre MEADOWS AND NATURAL PARKS Existing meadows will be retained, and where necessary enhanced, to protect the existing high quality green infrastructure of Southern Neighbouhood the area. Contemporary housing which visually Meadowside and physically links to Whiteley Town Centre Figure 1.1 Vision diagram 2 North whiteley design and access statement

02 Introduction

2.1 This Design and Access Statement is submitted in support of an outline planning application seeking the residential development of the land in North Whiteley. The application is submitted with all matters reserved except the strategic alignment of the primary roads. Terence O’Rourke and Peter Brett Associates engineers are acting on behalf of the North Whiteley Consortium.

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location NORTH WHITELEY FORUM STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AREA 2.2 The 207.62 hectare site lies within Winchester 2.3 The master plan team have developed the 2.4 The Joint Core Strategy identified the following City district on the northern side of Whiteley. proposals with Winchester City Council and elements within the SDA for North Whiteley: 02 The site sits adjacent to the A3051 Botley Hampshire County Council. The site is allocated Road, with good access to Southampton via as one of the district’s Strategic Development Housing the M27, 9 km (5 miles) to the south west Areas (SDA). A key part of this process has and Fareham 4 km (2 miles) to the south. been the ongoing discussions between the • Up to 3,500 dwellings 02 Introduction • Immediately to the north of the site at Botley Consortium team and the North Whiteley A range of housing types lies the mainline railway between Portsmouth Forum. This continued dialogue has ensured • A percentage of affordable homes and Winchester. South of the site lies that the master plan has been developed with Swanwick Station which is on the main line continued input from elected representatives of Facilities between Portsmouth and Southampton. the following organisations: • A new secondary school • Winchester City Council • Two new primary schools • Hampshire County Council • Pre-school facilities • Fareham Borough Council • Community building • Eastleigh Borough Council • Two local centres • Whiteley Parish Council

• Curbridge Parish Council Highways and movement • Botley Parish Council • Completion of Whiteley Way • Improvements to the local highway network • Development should take advantage of Whiteley town centre and Solent Business Parks

Environment and landscape

• A comprehensive Green Infrastructure Strategy ensuring a network of integrated and multifunctional spaces including; • Provision for recreational open space • Areas for children’s play • Areas for allotments • Dog walking routes • A net gain in biodiversity • Protection and enhancement of environmentally sensitive areas • An integrated sustainable drainage system (suds) to mitigate any potential flood risk.

Train station

Site area

Figure 2.1 Site location in the sub-region

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03 Site context

3.1 Whiteley is primarily a residential area, complemented by a town centre and business parks. Construction of the Solent Business Parks started in the mid-1980s and the first houses were completed in the late 1980s, although construction slowed for a few years following an economic downturn in the residential property market during the mid-1990s. From 1996 construction recommenced and has only recently finished along the Fareham borough side of the local authority boundary today.

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03 Whiteley - History Roman 3.2 The Roman period is well represented in this region. The 2nd Site context legion of Vespasian’s army entered Hampshire from the direction of Chichester. Winchester, already a major tribal centre, was soon adopted as the capital of the new Roman administrative region.To the north-west 03 of the site along the northern bank of the River Hamble extensive building material first uncovered in 1889 has been recovered suggesting the presence of a villa and/or a possible Romano-Christian village.

Anglo Saxon and medieval 3.3 Excavations on the site of the medieval manor house at Wickham revealed evidence of late Anglo Saxon activity. Ditches, gullies and post- holes that predated the earliest phase of the medieval manor house were seen and may be associated with one of the pre-Conquest manors. There are no other recorded Anglo-Saxon sites or findspots in the study area. Curdridge is first documented in AD 901 as Cuoredes Hriegae (Cuoved’s Bridge).

3.4 The landscape in south Hampshire at the time of the Domesday survey was dominated by the Royal Forest of Bere. The area was formally afforested in 1086 and covered a vast area stretching from south Hampshire eastwards to Sussex. This would have meant restrictive limitations to settlements and land uses to areas under forest law. The dispersed settlement pattern of single farms or small hamlets with systems of assarts cleared from the surrounding woodland was established by the 13th century in the study area when the first Figure 3.1 Historic map showing the site in 1871 documented references to the individual farms occur.

Post medieval 3.5 Chance discoveries of roof tile fragments, brick and pottery sherds in and around Barn and Bury Farm act as indicators of past historic land-use whereby these finds may have been mixed with manure and spread across the fields, as was customary at this time.

3.6 The River Hamble has a rich history of shipbuilding from the early 16th century with timber in great quantity required for such purposes. The most noteworthy site is at Dock Creek where a dock site used for landing timber onto vessels, or from where timber was floated down the river. There are several examples of known wooden docks and jetty sites along this western part of the study area that reflect the importance of this area to this industry and suggesting that the surrounding hinterland had ample resource for several hundred years.

Woodland, tree belts and farmland parcels shaped from the medieval period

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Established settlement Mid 1980s-90s Mid 1990s-2000s

Residential Employment

Established settlement

1985-1990

1991-1995 1985-1990

1996-2000 1990-2000

2000-2010 2000-2005

Under construction Under construction

2000-2010 Post 2010

Figure 3.2 The historic development of Whiteley

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Junction 9 of the M27 looking south (c. 1980)

Whiteley Way was only developed as far as this junction with Bluebell Way Figure 3.3 A draft local plan for Whiteley - 1983

3.7 The Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) survey for 3.9 These plans were based on the South Hampshire Structure A New Link Road Hampshire shows the influence of historical processes in the character of Plan (1977), which confirmed the need for development at Whiteley. 3.11 The creation of the new M27-Botley Link Road was partially the modern landscape. Most of the site is characterised as large, irregular The original requirements for Whiteley which were set out in 1983 by acheived during the 1980s and 1990s as Whiteley Way was constructed assarts, the result of clearance of woodland and scrub to form arable Hampshire County Council for the period up to 1996 included: between junction 9 and the new district centre (Whiteley Village). The land. They are likely to range in date from the medieval period to the continuation of the route beyond Whiteley Village was always dependent 18th century and could originate in loss of boundaries of smaller assart • 3,300 houses on the later phases of housing development identified for the land south enclosures such as those to the south of the site, to form larger fields. • 90 ha of industry of Coldland Meadow. The draft proposals map in the Local Plan for Several small woods or copses are interspersed among the enclosures. • 16,500 m2 of offices Whiteley shows the original alignment of that route (figure 3.3). Further The field parcels in the northern section of the site, near the railway line, 2 • 7,5 0 0 m of retail work on the environmental sensitivies of the area has led to a review of are more regular in shape and are later, dating from the 19th century. • Community facilities the alignment and function of the new link road. The modern period - Whiteley New Community • One Junior school

• 3.8 In the early 1980s Hampshire County Council developed draft Two Infant schools proposals for the creation of new homes, jobs, schools, shops and leisure • New link road connecting the M27 to Botley Road. facilities at land north of what was then known as the western wards of Fareham. The new community was to be known as Whiteley after the 3.10 Construction of housing at Whiteley started in the mid 1980s. The name of the farm that lay in the centre of the development area. last of these original development areas within Fareham Borough was finished in 2013 immediately to the south of Whiteley Lane.

8 North whiteley design and access statement

Whiteley - EXISTING Pedestrian routes & leisure facilities Site boundary 3.12 A key characteristic of the existing community at Whiteley is the Botley railway extensive network of greenways, known locally as Whiteley Walks. These station Existing recreation grounds permeate the development following the natural pattern of woodland and hedgerows and are well used by all members of the community. As a Public rights of way (PROW) network for walkers and cyclists the Whiteley Walks facilitate access to a range of community facilities and open spaces throughout the community. Existing greenways 3.13 The natural framework of tree belts, hedgerows and woodland areas is complemented by a number of public rights of way which extend Meadowside leisure centre northward from the existing urban area into the site. Of particular note is the footpath that links Botley Road to Whiteley Pastures to the east. Railway station

3.14 There is a particular focus on formal recreation facilities at the area known as Meadowside, which is situated immediately to the west of the town centre. The facilities at Meadowside include playing fields, a gym and all weather football pitches. Additional recreation facilities are located at Burridge to the south west of the site, these include tennis courts, playing fields and cricket pitches.

Curbridge

River Hamble

Whiteley Pastures

Burridge A public right of way which runs along the southern side of Coldland Meadow

M27

Swanwick railway station

Figure 3.4 Whiteley Walks map showing the comprehensive network Figure 3.5 Existing public rights of way and greenways through Whiteley

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Site boundary Whiteley - EXISTING Movement 3.15 Whiteley has a number of bus routes which link the housing and Bus route Botley railway employment areas to the rest of the south Hampshire sub-region. These station provide services to Fareham, Southampton and Portsmouth. The relatively Bus stop low frequency of services is a key concern for existing residents. The site is bounded to the north by the Fareham to Eastleigh railway line and to Retail the south by the Fareham to Southampton line, with nearby stations at Botley and Swanwick respectively. Both stations are within walking and Education cycling distance of the proposed development.

Employment

Community building

Meadowside leisure centre

Railway station

2.5km catchment from rail station

Curbridge PH Public house River Hamble

H Hotel

A range of bus services permeate through Whiteley

Whiteley Pastures

Burridge Train destinations: Botley Destination No. of Time Frequency (All departing Little Sutton station) changes London 0 1h 35mins Hourly Southampton 1 40mins Hourly Airport Parkway 1 25mins Hourly Portsmouth 0 40mins Twice hourly Winchester 0 20mins Hourly

Train destinations: Swanwick Destination No. of Time Frequency (All departing Little Sutton station) changes M27 London 1 2h Twice hourly Southampton 0 20mins Three hourly Airport Parkway 1 40mins Twice hourly Portsmouth 0 20mins Hourly Swanwick Winchester 1 50mins Twice hourly railway station

Figure 3.6 Existing public transport routes through Whiteley Figure 3.7 Train destinations and journey times from neighbouring stations

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Whiteley - Retail and Employment Retail Botley railway 3.16 The development of a district centre at Whiteley was a key part of station the original plans for the community. Having been a regional outlet centre for most of its life, the former Whiteley Village was redeveloped by its Retail 800m radius owners British Land in 2012. The town centre is now occupied by a range of high street retailers such as Boots, Marks and Spencer and Next, Retail 1600m radius complemented by cafes and restaurants, all aimed at serving the day to day needs of the Whiteley residents. Employment

3.17 A new cinema immediately to the north of the town centre will add Railway station to the range of facilities now located at the heart of Whiteley.

3.18 Solent Business Park is the largest concentration of employment PH Public House floorspace in South Hampshire. The employment area, which continues to be developed, accommodates a wide range of employers including H Hotel Northrop Grumman, ITV Meridian, Volvo and two sites for the National Air Traffic Control Centre are located less than a mile from the south western edge of the site.

Curbridge

River Hamble

Whiteley Pastures

Burridge The recently completed Whiteley Town Centre

M27

Swanwick railway station

Solent 1 Business Park lakeside spaces Figure 3.8 Existing employment and retail facilties within Whiteley

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Whiteley - Education and community facilities Education Botley railway station 3.19 The original proposals for Whiteley sought to plan new housing Education 800m radius development around a series of community facilities which included:

• Town centre (formerly district centre) Recreation grounds • Local centre at Gull Coppice

• Community uses Doctors surgery at Yew Tree Drive • Dentists at Parkway (Solent Business Park) Meadowside leisure centre • Local shops at Solent Business Park.

3.20 Primary education is provided by Whiteley Primary School which Railway station is located at Gull Coppice. In response to the growing demand for primary education there is a temporary Church of England primary school located at Lady Betty’s Drive/Leafy Lane in the south east of Whiteley. Secondary education is provided by Henry Cort Community College which is located 4km to the south east of the site in Fareham.

Curbridge

River Hamble

Whiteley Pastures

Burridge The local centre at Gull Coppice is a key part of the original Whiteley proposals

M27

Swanwick railway station Whiteley Primary School Figure 3.9 Existing education and community facilities within Whiteley

12 North whiteley design and access statement Whiteley - Housing Whiteley Character Appraisal 3.25 Much of the criticism that has been levelled at this era of housing layout comes down to the Whiteley - Housing appraisal 3.21 Whiteley’s housing areas were developed interface between built form and public realm. This from the mid 1980s through to 2013. As such they • Most spaces are not cohesively fronted by is particularly noticeable when passing through represented an era of housing layout that was focused development Whiteley’s greenways and its main distributor on a sinuous arrangement of distributor roads and cul roads. For the most part, these routes are ‘backed • Housing styles and eaves heights are too varied, de sacs set within the prevailing woodland environment. onto’ by the close boarded fences of rear gardens. preventing a distinct identity or clear legibility to The primary aim of such housing layouts was to facilitate streets Whilst arguably this leads to a more quiet space easy movement between the neighbourhoods for the or thoroughfare it also raises concerns over the • The variety of brick types is too great and renders car. The movement corridors were designed as free safety and security of pedestrians using the routes. have been used which often have little or no local flowing highways rather than creating active and safe In particular there is no ‘natural surveillance’ from relevance streets and squares which define the majority of our neighbouring housing because the active rooms of historic places. • Significant areas of blank frontages often occur the properties are facing away from these key routes. within the street scene 3.22 This late 20th century approach to housing This is particularly noticeable along the greenways where fly tipping of grass cuttings and other waste • The design of streets is highly visually segregated layout inevitably led to greater use of cars for daily by highway adoption standards, and private parking trips even for short journeys. Distributor roads such is deposited into the paths which run along the tree requirements as Marjoram Way, Sweet Hills Crescent and Yew Tree belts and woodland edges. Drive then spur off to a series of cul de sacs which have Blank frontage creates poor interface with public • Materials of low aesthetic quality, based principally 3.26 With the emergence of the New Urbanism on highway maintenace standards, create visually a similar sinuous geometry which invariably represent realm movement and model developments such as the bland streets individual unconnected ‘branches’ from the main Poundbury development at Dorchester there has been ‘trunk’. By isolating people in houses and cars and by • Elements which should be subservient, such as a return to traditional ‘street and block’ layouts. At a segregating households into separate, homogeneous garaging and driveway parking, often dominate more strategic level there is also a recognition that house and street frontages enclaves this form of housing layout design has not higher density housing areas should also focus on created the vibrant traditional neighbourhoods we Design cues for North Whiteley the core areas of ‘mixed use’ developments where associate with Victorian or Edwardian growth but instead local retail, community, education and civic uses are • House frontages should be the dominant visual created soulless ‘estates’. integrated into the prevailing pattern of urban form. element of a street 3.23 The sinuous geometry of the roads and the 3.27 The challenge for the Whiteley development • Housing styles should be based around a distinct predominance of standard homes has also created style for a character area, rather than a variety of will be to take this return to traditional urban form neighbourhoods that lack distinctiveness and are styles within one area and combine it with the best of what the existing difficult to navigate through. Whiteley has to offer in terms of creating a strong • Building eaves heights should generally be consistent except where articulating corners or accentuating the 3.24 The impact of this car-borne dominance was green infrastructure framework which permeates the natural site topography ameliorated at Whiteley because of the extensive prevailing urban form. network of greenways that permeate the community. • Street widths should be varied related to building These quieter routes also offer more direct lines connections between the housing and key facilities Incoherent roof form leads to a lack of visual unity • Building and roof materials should be consistent than the circuitous primary roads Whiteley’s green within the character areas. infrastructure is one of the area’s key assets and is both an extensively used and much loved amenity by all members of the community.

Good example

Figure 3.10 Whiteley follows the C20th approach to Placement of buildings has been dictated by the road Larger properties integrated sensitively within existing housing layout design and not the creation of streetscape trees

13 North whiteley design and access statement Whiteley - Local centres and key facilities Whiteley - Public realm & integration

Whiteley - Local centres and key facilities Whiteley - Public realm & integration • Facilities are nearly always physically segregated • The existing greenways are largely recreational/ from residential areas dog walking routes. They don’t work as rapid routes that would encourage walking and cycling, • Facilities within a centre are often further because: segregated by use and lack any ‘‘living over the shop’’ presence • Routes are seldom direct and the quality of • The design of space around facilities is largely surfacing changes frequently which doesn’t aid dominated by parking considerations legibility • Routes often don’t connect facilities and housing • Most of the routes are segregated from the streets areas in the most direct way, reducing the incentive to walk • Most of the development both residential and non- residential turns its back onto the greenways • Facilities are often not well orientated to capture passing trade • Many of the greenways are far too narrow and have too many changes of direction to feel safe for users (particularly after dark) Design cues for North Whiteley The public realm at Gull Coppice could be enhanced The greenways feel unsafe particularly after dark • Many of the greenways don’t link up uses in a • New facilities should be placed near the logical/direct manner intersection of key/direct movement routes • Often important links are missing in the footpath • Facilites should be ‘hubbed’ together in mixed use network which discourages people from walking buildings which help to define new public spaces. • New spaces and facilities should be designed to encourage social interaction and meeting Design cues for North Whiteley • The entrances to shops and facilities should be • Make sure that cars, pedestrians and cyclists are directly from the street/space sharing the same space, and that space is faced • “Living over the shop” should be encouraged by buildings • Neighbourhood retail should be orientated to • Make sure that when pedestrian and cycle routes maximise passing trade opportunities have to be separated from cars that these routes are fronted by development • Active rooms within buildings such as workspaces, retail units and community halls • Make sure that the principal pedestrian and cycle should be accessed from key spaces spines are as direct as possible to encourage walking and cycling and connect to, between and through mixed use centres • Make sure there is a consistent language of Key community uses such as this medical centre are These spaces are also a threat to the security of materials defining the major movement structure not integrated into the urban form properties • Separate designated cycleway from motorists

Good example Good example

What could have been a dominant ‘place’ is reduced Redeveloped town centre There is a lack of integration between housing areas Later developments have seen improved interfaces with to an unrelated group of facilities tree belts

14 North whiteley design and access statement 04 Constraints and opportunities

4.1 The North Whiteley site offers a range of opportunities for creating an attractive series of new places integrated to create exciting new neighbourhoods. Key site features such as the woodland groups, the verdant tree belts and the enclosed landscape ‘rooms’ all provide opportunities to create a responsive master plan in harmony with the site and its surroundings.

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LANDSCAPE AND ECOLOGICAL DESIGNATIONS 4.2 The adjacent plan illustrates the existing landscape and ecology designations on the site and within the immediate vicinity.

4.3 To the east of the application site boundary, the ancient woodlands compose the largest SSSI in the district, Botley Wood and Everett’s and Mushes Copse. To the west of the site lies the Upper Hamble Estuary and Woods SSSI comprising the upper reaches of the Hamble Estuary, saltmarsh, reedswamp and ancient semi-natural woodland. The woodland complex is one of the richest sites for ancient woodland vescular plants in 04 Hampshire. The SSSI forms part of the Solent and Southampton Water SPA and Ramsar and Solent Maritime SAC.

4.4 Much of the woodland on site is afforded protection as SINCs. These have been identified and designated as a result of the rich habitat structure that is present at all sub canopy levels. Tree species are diverse and, in the majority, a rich understorey and field layer is present. Woodlands are both wet and dry and, at Coldland Copse, a mosaic of both wet and dry stand types is present.

4.5 There are a number of notable heritage assets in the study area. Manor Farm Country Park lies approximately 2.5km to the west of the site and comprises a grade II listed manor house, built in the 15th century, a number of listed ancillary buildings and a 13th century church. To the north west of the site lies the grade II listed Fairthorne Manor, the estate of which incorporates the remains of a Roman settlement, registered as a scheduled monument. Within the site itself are a grade II listed 17th century farmhouse and 18th century granary at Barn Farm. An 18th century granary at Fairthorne Grange Farm is immediately adjacent to the site. To the north of the site is the path of a Roman road which, in part, ran between Curbridge Special Protection Area, and Barn Farm. Ramsar site and important bird area 4.6 The site lies adjacent to and forms a complex spatial interface with large ancient woodlands to the east. Open fields on site are the product Special Area of Conservation of assarting that took place in the 13th and 14th centuries. Interconnected remnants of these ancient woodlands are evident in the landscape at Site of Special Scientific Figure 4.1 National landscape and ecological designations nearby the North WhiteleySite site of(Source: Special Natural Scientific England) Coldland Copse, Suttons Copse, Bedlams Copse, Hangman’s Copse, Interest Sawpit Copse and a number of substantial tree belts. Further mature mixed high hedgerows contribute towards this strong landscape structure and in Local Nature Reserve SpecialSite boundary Protection Area, LocalLocal Nature Nature Reserve Reserve its entirety create a sense of enclosure and shelter. This has a determining SpecialRamsar Protectionsite and important Area, effect on the localised microclimate of the site. The varied soils and Ancient & Semi-Natural RamsarbirdSpecial area Protection site and A rea,important Ramsar site and important bird area AncientAncient and & SSemi-Naturalemi-Natural Woodland bird area Woodland watercourses also contribute to a varied set of geo-climatic conditions and bird area Woodland give rise to a diversity of climax vegetation. This includes oak, ash, cherry, Special Area of Conservation SpecialSpecial AArearea of ofConservation Conservation AncientAncient Replanted Replanted Woodland Woodland yew, birch and alder. Special Area of Conservation Ancient Replanted Woodland 4.7 There are also three semi-improved grasslands, designated as SiteSite of of SSpecialpecial Scientific ScientificI nterest Site of Special Scientific Site boundary SINCs, on site at Ridge Farm Meadows, Blackmoor Copse Meadow and Interest Interest Coldand Meadow. These sites support semi-improved grassland both Local Nature Reserve marshy and dry grassland species. Local Nature Reserve Local Nature Reserve Ancient & Semi-Natural AncientWoodland & Semi-Natural Woodland 16 Ancient Replanted Woodland Ancient Replanted Woodland Site boundary Site boundary

Based upon the 2014 Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 colour raster map Based upon the 2014 Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 colour raster map with the permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of Her with the permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, © Crown copyright. Terence O'Rourke Majesty's Stationery Office, © Crown copyright. Terence O'Rourke Ltd. Licence No. 100019980. Data provided by Natural England, Ltd. Licence No. 100019980. Data provided by Natural England, English Heritage English Heritage Copyright Terence O'Rourke Ltd, 2014 Copyright Terence O'Rourke Ltd, 2014

Based upon the 2014 Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 colour raster map with the permission of the Ordnance Survey on behalf of Her Majesty'sBased upon Stationery the 2014 Office, Ordnance © Crown Survey copyright. 1:10,000 Terence colour raster O'Rourke map Ltd.with Licencethe permission No. 100019980. of the Ordnance Data provided Survey by on Natural behalf ofEngland, Her EnglishMajesty's Heritage Stationery Office, © Crown copyright. Terence O'Rourke Ltd. Licence No. 100019980. Data provided by Natural England, CopyrightEnglish Heritage Terence O'Rourke Ltd, 2014 Copyright Terence O'Rourke Ltd, 2014 North whiteley design and access statement

Hamble SSSI

Whiteley Pastures SSSI

20m buffer zone

Figure 4.2 The proximity of the SSSIs next to the site has a significant Figure 4.3 The pattern of tree belts and woodland has a significant Figure 4.4 The distribution of SINCs across the site has a significant influence on the proposed layout influence on the proposed layout influence on the disposition of development areas

4.8 To the north of the application site boundary and railway line is an 4.10 The framing of the gable end of the oldest section of the house Utilities and constraints area of assarted woodland. This fragmented woodland includes Silford is visible in the front elevation facing west towards the lane. Beyond the 4.12 There are two existing utilities constraints which traverse the site Copse, Hole Copse, Biddenfield High Wood, Hallcourt Wood, Mansfield front garden is an 18th century granary, also listed grade II, again timber on a north south and east west axis. High Wood, Blacklands Copse, Alder Moor, Brook Wood and Tankerhill framed, and set on 12 staddles. The farm group also includes several Copse. These areas are all interconnected but interspersed with medium 19th century farm buildings; a barn, a dairy and a brick stable with hayloft 4.13 Water main - the existing water main crosses the site from the sized fields. Another large woodland block features approximately 3.5 km forming an irregular E-shaped courtyard. To the south are larger, more existing housing south of Bluebell Way through the south western edge to the far north east of the study area, in the Meon Valley, just beyond recent farm buildings. of Sawpit Copse, then to Coldland Meadow where it passes under the Wickham. Curbridge Stream tributary and onward to the eastern edge of Curbridge Flood risk zones village. From the edge of Curbridge the water main continues towards Listed buildings at Barn Farm 4.11 The flood risk, shown on page 18 as part of fig 4.5, shows areas Botley Road where it runs south west of the main road. The main has 4.9 A number of buildings will be retained across the site including of the site is liable to flood. These are primarily located within the existing a 5m easement on either side which must be kept free from building the listed building and associated farmhouse at Barn Farm. In addition the ecologically constrained land through the centre of the site at Coldland construction though roads can be constructed over the top of the farmhouse at Bury Farm will also be retained. The site area is within the Meadow and northward along the tributaries to the Curbridge stream. easement. western forest of Bere and is characterised by an irregular field pattern 4.14 Sewer - a strategic sewer runs along Whiteley Way and based on medieval and later assart fields created from the woodland continues westwards through the southern flank of the site. Turning south with some piecemeal enclosure and boundary loss through later west the sewer then passes through Hangman’s Copse under Botley reorganisation. There are a number of historic farm buildings within the Road towards Burridge. There is an 5m easement on either side of the site area. Barn Farmhouse (listed grade II) is a timber framed house of sewer where no built development can take place. 17th century date with an 18th century extension in brick.