Fareham Borough Landscape Assessment

May 1996

Character Area 37

Portchester North

Description

Portchester North includes the large residential area sandwiched between the main railway line and the M27 motorway. The area is made up of older suburban properties mainly served from Hill Road. It also includes a large area of recent housing located on higher ground

The essential characteristics of Portchester North are: * an older grid pattern of roads serving inter war suburban housing and particularly bungalows; * relatively poor street landscape; * spectacular coastal views from elevated ground; * open uncomfortable public realm, particularly in the newer housing area; * tortuous street pattern and urban block structure in newer housing area reduces permeability and affects pedestrian links; * railway line creates a barrier to pedestrian movement.

Enhancement Priorities

The main emphasis in Portchester North is on enhancement, particularly of the public realm areas which are relatively poor in landscape character terms. There is also the general need to reinforce the identity of the area.

Priorities for enhancement are: * to make environmental improvements to public realm areas; * to reinforce local identity through environmental improvements; * to reinforce pedestrian routes; * to enhance public open space particularly on Dore Avenue; * to reinforce the urban edge landscape.