Sir John Moore Barracks
Site Considerations
An initial assessment of key site constraints has been undertaken to allow us to understand the technical issues and challenges with development of the site. These have included ecology, transport, flood risk, heritage and archaeology, land quality, water and utilities and unexploded ordnance. A summary of these is shown on the following plan and key points outlined below.
Development Strategy
There is potential for new development to be directed to previously developed parts of the site or field areas where technical constraints allow it. A clearly defined development zone exists in the centre of the site surrounded by dense vegetation. As a result of existing screening, this has little impact to adjacent housing. Development platforms and buildings step with the topography, creating a complex and at the same time, unique development environment. Approximately 5.4ha (13.3 acres) of the existing site are open space and training areas. The new development will carefully integrate these facilities.
Topography and Views
The site’s topography varies significantly throughout. Although part of the site occupies high ground, wider views are contained by surrounding woodland blocks. Existing buildings are arranged on a series of development platforms that step down the hillside. This stepping of buildings helps to reduce their visual prominence from surrounding viewpoints, which could be utilised in the masterplan.
Flood Risk
Parts of the site are at risk of flooding from pluvial surface water and groundwater flooding. Taking into consideration climate change, the proposals will aim to creatively integrate those areas into the masterplan creating a climate resilient place to live. Multi-functional sustainable urban drainage (SuDS) options will be explored to minimise the risk of flooding on and off site.
Biodiversity and Ecology
The masterplan will maximise the retention/relocation of key green spaces and habitats such as semi-mature broadleaved woodland and the two areas of good chalk grassland habitat including Flowerdown Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). A wide range of wildlife surveys are being carried out to record the habitats and protected species present. The proposals will aim to retain features of ecological importance and provide suitable mitigation for those lost.
Transport and Access
Improved pedestrian and cycle movement and connections with public transport, increased trips generated by redevelopment of the site combined with the Barton Farm development will be considered along with the accident cluster at the Harestock Road / B3420 Andover Road / Wellhouse Lane crossroads. Opportunity to propose a new Park and Ride will be explored. The impact of new access points to the development on the local road network will be assessed.
Heritage
The development will consider the setting of the off site Scheduled Monument, Listed Buildings and Littleton Conservation Area. There are opportunities to recognise the military heritage of the site within the new development. Preliminary archaeological surveys will be carried out across the Site to establish the presence of further archaeological remains. No listed buildings are present and the building stock is generally of limited architectural quality.
The project team
Town Planning
Masterplanning
Environment and Technical
