Fareham Borough Landscape Assessment

May 1996

Character Area 25

Hill Park / Stow Estate

Description

This area of Fareham is effectively defined by two railway lines feeding into the town centre, although the northern line is now dismantled. The area is mostly suburban residential and is served by an orbital road (Highlands Road).

The essential characteristics of Hill Park/Stow Estate are: * a fairly legible street pattern, that helps pedestrian circulation, except Stow Estate where this pattern breaks down; * a local centre on Highlands Road; * the barriers to pedestrian movements created by both railways; * the concentration of schools and playing fields on the urban edge * the lack of dedicated public open space.

Enhancement Priorities

Although this area has a predominantly leafy suburban character, there are aspects of urban quality that need addressing particularly in relation o the streetscape and the distribution and accessibility of open space.

Priorities for enhancement are: * to improve the environmental quality on key routes in the form of street trees on Highlands Road, Privett Road and Fareham Park Road; * to improve the environmental quality in key locations such as the local shopping area, and around Stow Estate; * to investigate opportunities to enhance green corridors/pedestrian/cycle routes using the dismantled railway and through establishing routes to the Meon Valley; * to investigate improving open space provision such as dual use of school playing fields.