Fareham Borough Landscape Assessment

May 1996

Character Area 23

Hill Head Seafront

Description

The seafront area is a separate and distinct part of Hill Head because of its relationship with the sea. The area is centred on Hill Head Road and Salterns Road and it includes those properties which either face or back onto the seafront.

The essential characteristics of Hill Head Seafront are: * the orientation of properties, private space and public space to the sea; * the architecture of typical inter war seaside villas; * the landscape character of the seafront in the form of private gardens, paving and walls; * the presence of typical seafront facilities and activities such as the harbour, boat launching, fishing, promenading etc; * the seaside character of Seafield Park and Salterns Park.

Enhancement Priorities

Although the emphasis in management terms is on the conservation of the existing character, there are many aspects of the public realm that are in need of improvement. This particularly applies to the main road and to the area around the local shops and to the large paved areas around the harbour and the promenade/car parking area.

Priorities for enhancement are: * to create a more pedestrian friendly environment in Hill Head Road/Salterns Road; * to reinforce and enhance the seaside character of the public realm; * to improve pedestrian links between residential parts and the shore line; * to improve pedestrian links between Seafield Park and Salterns Park; * to consider the urban quality around the harbour and the promenade to reduce the dominance of traffic while at the same time accommodating car parking.