Fareham Borough Landscape Assessment

May 1996

Landscape Character Area 11

Portsdown Hill

Summary Description

This character area embraces the distinctive scarp and downland landscape that forms the western flanks of Portsdown Hill, a landscape unit that extends beyond the Borough boundary into neighbouring Winchester District. It is defined on its western boundary by the minor valley of the Wallington River and to the south by the urban edge of Downend and Portchester. Although the scarp slopes form a single landscape unit, the lower slopes are severed from the upper by the M27, effectively dividing the area into two separate but associated parts.

The essential characteristics of the Portsdown Hill area are: * large to medium-scale mosaic of pasture and arable fields with an open character and few hedgerows or trees; * the distinctive chalk downland above the Wallington River valley and the dramatic landform ridge and steep, south-facing scarp of Portsdown Hill itself, which provides the setting for a number of landmark features such as Nelsons Monument and Fort Nelson (both outside the Borough boundary) and spectacular views over Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent; * the prominence of a number of unsightly elements in the form of masts, fences and typical roadside clutter; * the intrusion of the M27 motorway which cuts through the chalk scarp and divides its upper and lower slopes; * the physical isolation of the lower slopes by roads, railways and urban development, and the impact of quarrying, all of which intrude upon its open, rural character.

Enhancement Priorities

This forms part of the extensive open countryside area to the north of Fareham and the upper scarp face and ridge top are particularly visible from surrounding areas. The emphasis should, therefore, primarily be on the maintenance of this rural character and an undeveloped scarp face and skyline. However, the quality of the upper slopes has already been affected by intensive farming practice and the intrusion of power lines and the M27 motorway. Here, the emphasis should be on landscape enhancement to mitigate such effects. The lower slopes provide a valuable open backdrop to the urban area of Downend but their character is affected by adjacent roads and built development. Particular account needs to be taken of the visual sensitivity of this area and the quality of the motorway corridor. Extensive planting could be an effective way of integrating and reducing the impacts of existing roads and housing.

The priorities for enhancement are: * to protect the rural, agricultural character of this area of open countryside; * to avoid the introduction of buildings or structures that would be visually prominent within the open, rolling landscape and particularly along the prominent scarp face and ridge line; * to encourage the re-creation of chalk grassland on the scarp top and upper face; * to encourage reintroduction of hedgerows, shelterbelts and small copses on the western, lower flanks of the area, to improve landscape structure and reduce exposure; * to encourage new woodland planting on the southern lower slopes, to reduce the impact of existing residential development to the east and to buffer the effects of the motorway and slip road to north and west; * to maximise landscape and ecological opportunities as part of quarry restoration proposals.