Fawley Waterside

Fawley Power Station closed in 2013 and started to be demolished in 2016. Planning permission for the redevelopment of the site was granted in 2020. This new town will build on its pioneering industrial heritage to create a community that restores the connection between the NFNP and the coast and protects the exceptional natural landscape of the National Park, allowing public access across the former Power Station area for the very first time.

The proposals comprise some 1,500 dwellings, new commercial, civic and employment space, enlargement of the existing dock for a marina and creation of a canal boat stack.  Nature reserves (including a new saline lagoon), flood defences and some 35 hectares of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) sensitively set the town within New Forest National Park and the national and international coastal habitats associated with Southampton Water.

Careful consideration was given through the evolution of the scheme to maintain a navigational aid on Southampton Water and the Solent. The new town replaces the power station chimney with a landmark building, informed by studies undertaken by fabrik to guide the height of the replacement structure. Close discussions were undertaken with Historic England regarding the location of built form to maintain a sense of separation with Calshot Castle Graded II* Listed Building and Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The landscape connection between the forest and the sea is restored through the inclusion of treebelts through the town, alongside the nature reserve and SANG, including the restoration of a quarry wrapping around the proposed new community. We worked closely with the project ecologist to maximise habitat opportunities and biodiversity net gain.  Close discussions were held with the New Forest District Council and New Forest National Parks Authority regarding bespoke solutions to lighting, tree planting, play and open space provision.

fabrik prepared representations to the Local Plan process, securing an allocation for new dwellings within the National Park, alongside evolving the landscape design (taking forward the overarching vision set out by Kim Wilkie) and preparing the iterative landscape and visual impact Environmental Statement chapter. We worked closely with the client team, alongside the New Forest National Parks Authority, New Forest District Council, Hampshire County Council and Historic England.  We have since been reviewing the detail design of the restoration scheme being prepared by Hampshire County Council on behalf of Mid Hants Quarry to ensure consistency with the outline proposals, and providing input to the Section 106 Agreement.