Major Developments

From time to time there are proposals for major developments that affect a large tracts of the countryside, either through potentially blighting the landscape, increasing pressure on infrastucture or generating significant traffic flows in rural areas. These include eco-towns, strategic development areas (SDAs) and so-called 'megasheds' - large-scale distribution warehouses.

"Stop Fareham New Town"

This is our new campaign slogan for 2011 to stop the development of the north Fareham Strategic Development Area (SDA). In 2010 CPRE Hampshire in alliance with SHUV (South Hampshire's Unheard Voices) opposed this SDA and also one at Hedge End. While the one at Hedge End has now been rejected, the proposal for one at north Fareham is going ahead. It would in-fill the only piece of open countryside between Wickham and Fareham with a town similar in size to Petersfield. CPRE advocates a common sense approach that 75% of development should be on brownfield sites before greenfield land is considered.

Fareham SDA page   ::   Hedge End SDA

Bordon-Whitehill Eco-Town

The last government announced a list of sites for potential 'eco-towns'. One of these is the proposed Whitehill/Bordon eco-town on a former Ministry of Defence site. Although a brownfield site and an opportunity to create sorely needed facilities, there remain problems with infrastructure and transport. John Venning's article outlines the pros and cons of this proposed eco-town (May 2009).

Whitehill-Bordon pros and cons

Other Major Housing Development Plans

Other major housing sites proposed in Hampshire include Barton Farm, near Winchester and land around Petersfield. Both are green field sites where CPRE feel that housing development is inappropriate.

Barton Farm Campaign :: Petersfield press release

Mega-shed at Andover

There have been several proposals in our area to develop large distribution warehouses. One is on the site of Andover airfield, now restyled the Andover Business Park. Another is just over the border at Greenham in West Berkshire where the traffic would flow onto the A339 Basingstoke-Newbury road. CPRE has campaigned vigorously against these development where they are totally out of scale with their rural environment.

A Megashed Near You?

This page last updated 21st February 2011.