Site: HI03

Land adjoining Fridays, Andover Road

THIS SITE IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHANGE OF USE TO RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

Accessibility and Transport factors:

1. Public transport is very poor, and any family dwelling would need parking for 2 or 3 vehicles.

2. There are no local shops or post office within Highclere

3. There is a distinct lack of community facilities.

4. It would be difficult to provide any access to this land from the A343 Andover Road due the combination of traffic speed and poor visibility at this location

Environmental factors

1. Highclere has a high water table. .

2. This site offers an important wildlife habitat, and the land immediately to the east of the site is designated as a site of importance for nature Conservation.

Landscape factors

1. The area is within the North Wessex Downs AONB

2. No significant change has occurred since the last local plan review (see review of previous local plan page 281 D10.33 attached).

3. This site maintains the local character of interspersed single dwellings with substantial undeveloped land.

(see review of previous local plan page 281 D10.30 attached)

4. Significant mature tree/hedge boundaries to the North, East and West of the site are important local features

5. The area immediately to the East of the site is designated as a site of importance for nature conservation.

Built Environment and Heritage Features

1. Highclere is the gateway to the North Wessex Downs and the County's first Parish, when heading South from West Berkshire along the A343. It is an historic Parish and Highclere Castle attracts visitors from around the world. It is therefore important to also maintain the original vista and retain as many open spaces and "borrowed" landscapes as possible.

Socio-economic Factors

1. Local inhabitants recognise the importance of the tranquility of the lanes in forming footways to the official footpaths in the area. The use of these peaceful lanes are not only enjoyed by local residents walking dogs, horse riding and cycling etc but also form part of the network of footpath linkages with other parishes. Much of the sense of community derives from meeting along the lanes and footpaths

2. Only a few people are employed locally and apart from home workers most people commute to Newbury or London. More houses mean more commuters and more cars, deterioration of the country lanes, and loss of hedges and rural vistas.

3. Local schools are already at saturation point in neighbouring Woolton Hill and Burghclere. Local GP surgeries, in neighbouring villages, are under equal pressure

Infrastructure costs and viability factors

1. There would be significant costs involved in developing the infrastructure to support a change of use of this site. Drainage costs would be significant in financial terms and by way of disruption to the highway.