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Sarisbury Green Conservation Area

Environmental Improvements

An image of the A27 taken from the Green at Sarisbury

 

The Opening Ceremony took place at 2.30pm on Wednesday 14th May 2003 to celebrate the completion of the Sarisbury Green Conservation Area Environmental Improvement Scheme.


 

Sarisbury Green in 1905

  

Sarisbury Green in 1907

An image of the road at the Green taken in 1905

An image of the Green and St Paul's Church taken in 1907

The old photographs above show the historic importance of Sarisbury Green as a place to meet and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Given the increase in traffic on the main road over the past century it is no longer possible to leave the Green open and unfenced. However, as the following photographs show the Improvement Scheme has included the removal of the large conifers which dominated the Green and has replaced these with native trees and shrubs, including a type of native Field Maple specially selected as suitable for roadside planting.

Before

  

After

An image of the A27 with the Green hidden by conifers

An image of the same view with the trees removed and the Green visible

The old conifers have been removed and the main road improved by visual narrowing of the carriageway, improved footpath surfacing, tree planting, and new lamp columns.


The Sarisbury Green Environmental Improvements are the result of much planning and consultation, involving a large number of people. The scheme was first included in the 1999/2000 Programme at Planning Services Committee, 16th July 1998.


The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 places a duty on local planning authorities to prepare schemes which "preserve and enhance" Conservation Areas and to consult local residents on such schemes. The brief for the Environmental Improvement Scheme is based on the recommendations for enhancement set out in the 1998 Fareham Borough Council Conservation Area Character Assessment for Sarisbury Green:

  • Removal of inappropriate street furniture and conifer trees
  • Strengthening visual links between the main Green and the smaller green north of Bridge Road
  • Replacement of inappropriate fencing with railings
  • Improvement of surface materials, street furniture and tree planting

The scheme was presented at two public consultations. The first was held in 1999. The main concern then was that the removal of the large conifers would open up views of traffic from the Green and remove the protection the conifers provided in reducing the number of cricket balls which land in the main road. This was addressed in amended proposals, shown at a public exhibition in 2001, by proposing a phased removal of conifers and replacement with new more appropriate trees, together with new railings and netting which is erected on posts for cricket matches. The final tree, a native Field Maple, will be planted at the ceremony on 14th May 2003.


The scheme cost £175,000 and the main highway works were implemented during 2001 and 2002 by Swanwick Construction of Botley. Of the total cost, £132,000 was provided from the Fareham Borough Council Environmental Improvement Budget, £25,000 was provided by Hampshire County Council for new lighting on the main road and £18,000 was provided out of a number of County Highway maintenance budgets.


The replacement trees and hedge were planted by Carney Landscapes of Denmead, who will maintain the trees for two years before maintenance passes to Fareham Borough Council Leisure and Environment Department.