North of Fareham Strategic Development Area - Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a selection of commonly asked questions raised throughout consultation on Fareham Borough Council's Core Strategy regarding the planned development north of Fareham known as the Strategic Development Area (SDA). The answers provided are based on our best knowledge as of December 2010. Many of the answers provided will evolve as the scheme develops in more detail over time.

What is the North of Fareham Strategic Development Area?

It is a new community that is being planned in Fareham to meet the needs of local people. The new community will provide homes and jobs for local people, alongside new community facilities.

Where is the new development?

The new community will be located north of the M27 and predominately to the West of the A32 between Knowle and Funtley.

When is the development likely to start?

Work is expected to start onsite in 2016 and to be complete by 2030.

How large is the development?

The new community will provide between 6,500 to 7,500 new homes and up to 90,750 square metres of employment floorspace. Based on 2010 levels this would equate to approximately an 8% increase in employment floorspace in Fareham.

How have the community been engaged so far?

Community groups and the general public have been engaged in the project since 2005, through consultation on the South East Plan and the Fareham Local Development Framework, on the principle of developing a new settlement. In addition, community interests and a Community Liaison Group have since been engaged in determining a vision and strategic masterplan for the new community in the north of Fareham.

How can the community shape what is happening?

The Council and landowners are committed to building on the community engagement that has been undertaken to date. We are currently preparing a programme of engagement for the New Year that enables the local community to continue to shape the proposals for the Strategic Development Area.

To stay informed about what is happening please sign up to the Council's Local Development Framework Consultation Database by emailing us with your contact details at planningpolicy@fareham.gov.uk .

Why do we need this new community?

People are living longer, there are more one-person households and people are finding it increasingly difficult to get onto the housing ladder, especially key workers (teachers, fire fighters, police, nurses etc) and first time buyers. There is also a local demand for family housing. Meeting the local demand for housing is a key priority and a new community to the north of Fareham will enable the Council to meet these needs.

So, it’s another housing estate then…

Absolutely not. This project is about creating a new community that has a range of social, environmental and economic opportunities that can benefit local people now and in the future. The Council and the landowners want to maximise the opportunities for local people that will arise from the development and we will be working with the community throughout the project to make sure this happens.

Why develop to the north of Fareham?

Developing a new distinct community to the north of Fareham represents the most sustainable way of meeting Fareham's needs. The alternative would be developing a number of smaller extensions to existing urban areas which would increase pressure on community infrastructure and facilities and change the character of existing neighbourhoods.

Surely there is enough brownfield land to meet future needs?

Development on previously developed land/brownfield land has been above 85% for the last two years and the Council's approach is in favour of previously developed land. However, development on brownfield land alone will not meet the local demand for housing and jobs. A new community to the north of Fareham is a strategic approach which avoids piecemeal development around existing neighbourhoods and placing pressure on existing infrastructure.

What about the effect of the development on Wickham, Funtley and Knowle?

The new community will be designed to minimise the impact on surrounding communities. The Council and the landowners will be working with existing communities to shape the design and layout of the new community. It has been agreed that green buffers will be incorporated into the layout to prevent the new development merging with Knowle, Wickham, Funtley and Fareham.

We will be working with the community to determine appropriate high levels of open, recreation and other green space commensurate with an 'eco-town' development.

What role will the land around the SDA in Winchester district play?

The development proposal falls within the Fareham Borough Council boundary. However, land around Knowle and to the north of the site, lies within Winchester City Council area. This area provides an opportunity to provide greenspace to meet the needs of existing and new residents. Developing the green space proposals will be done in close consultation with local residents and Winchester City Council.

What kind of community facilities will there be?

We will be engaging and consulting with local people on this early 2011. We think the development should include 1 secondary school, 3 primary schools, at least one GP surgery and a health centre, a dentist surgery, shops and sport facilities but we are keen to hear local people's view.

How will you ensure that the community facilities are delivered?

The Council and the landowners are committed to meeting the needs of local people and delivering a high quality development. We want to create a community where people want to live and this means we need to deliver new schools, health centres, parks and open spaces, leisure facilities, shops, civic spaces and facilities, and public transport facilities.

The emerging planning policy for the Strategic Development Area (in the Core Strategy - Policy CS13) includes a caveat that will ensure the necessary social and physical infrastructure has been secured prior to development phases commencing.

Over the next year or so the Council will be working with the landowners, local people, interest groups and key organisations to develop an infrastructure delivery plan for the new community.

How will the infrastructure be funded?

The majority of infrastructure will be funded by the developers and partner organisations. The Council will be working with the landowners and other organisations to ensure the necessary infrastructure can be delivered and that the project is viable.
There is limited public finance available to bring major projects forward at the moment. However, the economy is likely to improve in the future and working with local people, interest groups and organisations to bring forward detailed plans for the new community will enable the Council and landowners to be in a position to attract additional investment when it becomes available.

This will just mean lots more traffic congestion in Fareham…

We know people are concerned about the impact on local roads and we will be working with local people, interest groups and organisations to develop detailed proposals to mitigate any effects of the development.
The new community will be designed so that people live within easy walking distance of local shops, schools, community facilities and employment opportunities. Public transport provision will be focused around the Bus Rapid Transit scheme (BRT) and a network of paths and cycleways will be integrated into the new development. The possibility of a car club will be explored.

What is the Bus Rapid Transit system?

The Bus Rapid Transit scheme involves the creation of a high speed and high quality bus link between Gosport, Fareham, the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, Portsmouth, Havant and Waterlooville. A direct link from the new community to Fareham Town Centre, Fareham railway station and Portsmouth is planned.

The new community will be designed so that people living there can easily walk to a BRT stop.

Will there be a train station?

There is potential for a rail station to the west of the site. All parties involved with the new community will be exploring the options that exist as the project moves forward.

Why has part of the employment land been located at Junction 11?

There are two reasons for this. Firstly, it is essential that the new community is offered a choice of employment opportunities, and employment space in this location would attract employers requiring a wide range of skills and provide training opportunities for both the new community and residents in the local area. It is therefore essential that there are quality sustainable transport links between the employment opportunities, the SDA, and the surrounding area. Secondly, locating more of the total employment requirement within the main body of the SDA would reduce its residential capacity.

What will the houses look like?

The local community will have the opportunity to influence the layout, form and design of the housing that will be built. It is anticipated that a range of housing, that respects the local character, will be provided from flats in the district and local centres to town houses, semi-detached, terraced and detached housing.

Is the development an Eco-Town?

The North of Fareham Strategic Development Area has been included in the Government's Eco-Town programme and has been awarded funding to determine if the new community could meet the Government's Eco-Town standards. The Council will be working with local people, interest groups and organisations, as part of our ongoing programme of community engagement, to determine the potential for the new community to be an eco-development.

Who has responsibility for approving the Strategic Development Area?

The draft Core Strategy and forthcoming Area Action Plan, including policies for the SDA, will both be subject to public consultation and an independent examination before being adopted by Fareham Borough Council. Fareham Borough Council will determine any future outline and detailed planning applications submitted by the scheme promoters. In making a decision, the Council must take account of the outcomes of consultation, relevant national and local policies and the quality and detail of the proposals submitted.

What are the next steps?

The Council and landowners are committed to building on the community engagement that has been undertaken to date. We are currently preparing a programme of engagement for the New Year that enables the community to continue to shape proposals for the new community.

A newsletter will be sent out in January 2011 outlining the detailed programme of engagement. To receive a copy of the newsletter, please sign up to the Council's Local Development Framework Consultation Database at planningpolicy@fareham.gov.uk .