Fareham Borough Landscape Assessment

May 1996

Character Area 36

Downend

Description

Downend is a large leafy suburban residential area served by the A27, midway between Fareham and Portchester. Its northern boundary is formed by the railway and its southern boundary is the urban edge adjacent to the Cams Wicor Coastal Fringe.

The essential characteristics of Downend are: * large detached and semi-detached villas and houses with large mature gardens; * mature street trees on a grid road pattern; * a busy road, A27 , running through the middle of the area; * reasonable access to the open coastal area and to public open space; * new housing area currently under construction south of the A27.

Enhancement Priorities

The main emphasis is conservation and, in particular, the protection of the high quality public and private realm landscape in residential areas. There are also issues relating to the barriers created by the A27 and the need to enhance identity.

Priorities for enhancement are: * to protect the mature landscape character in residential areas; * to create a more pedestrian friendly environment on Portchester Road; * to reinforce identity, particularly along the A27 corridor; * to improve pedestrian links between the northern part of Downend and the coastal fringe; * to create green links between the coast and Downend.