This area constitutes the north-western boundary of the town, lying, on average, 7 minutes’ walk from Petersfield station and 10 minutes from the town centre. It is semi-rural in character, with a recreation ground at its heart, and farmland between the residential area and the A3 Petersfield by-pass. It lies within 15 minutes easy walking distance of the village of Steep and the Ashford Hangers and close to the South Downs. It is bisected by Bell Hill, linking Petersfield to Steep and Froxfield. Dark Hollow, an ancient sunken lane (now a BOAT), runs through the centre of the area and represents a major historic feature.

There are sylvan vistas all around, with the South Downs visible from most of the area, trees and hedging prominent in both public and private spaces. The highest point in the South Downs, Butser Hill, is clearly visible from the top of all the three major roads in the area and the Hangers are also within sight. Oak, beech and other mature trees predominate in the Recreation Ground and elsewhere, especially in the rear gardens of private houses. Off-road parking facilities in all roads in the area allow a relatively car-free aspect and child-safety feel to the residential sections.

Large front and rear gardens to some houses in the area (especially in Buckmore Avenue and Bell Hill Ridge) lend a generally rural atmosphere to the landscape. Almost exclusively detached and semi-detached houses lend a feeling of spaciousness. The tree-lined avenues and footpaths, ubiquitous lawns, common land, copses and some agricultural grassland add to the overall rural character of the landscape. Mix of housing densities.

An eclectic mix of brick-built detached and semi-detached houses and bungalows, some with period (1930s-style) frontages and rendering, some with pebble-dash, almost entirely very well maintained. Very few recent constructions (i.e. post 1970), the majority of houses date from the 1930s. Entirely residential in character (no commercial buildings). Few alterations or extensions to the front facades of buildings, but many to the rear. Almost exclusively two-storey houses, with some dormers evident in roof spaces. Range of 1950s built properties, from 4/5 bedrooms (Bell Hill Ridge and Buckmore Avenue) to bungalows (Lynton and Stanton Roads). Many secluded gardens (esp. in Buckmore Avenue).

(i) Bell Hill Recreation Ground (Town Council owned) is a major feature and is regularly used by walkers, children (for its playground and permanent goalposts), dog walkers, joggers, the annual municipal fireworks display, air cadets (at the Squadron centre), Woodbury Avenue Residents’ Association meetings, scouts and guides activities and camping, etc. This open space contains lines of established, and more recent, oaks.

(ii) Dark Hollow (see above) is a feature for walkers, which allows quick access to Steep and the Tilmore area from the south and footpath access to the town centre and station from the north. Other footpaths criss-cross the area and are a valuable amenity, including the important Hangers Way.

(iii) Tilmore Brook crosses the recreation ground and Buckmore Avenue.

(iv) Beech hedges (50 years old) line the lower end of Buckmore Avenue.

(v) many trees protected by TPOs in the area (e.g. the two Avenues).

(vi) Petersfield visible to the south-east from higher ground, and the South Downs to the north and west.

(i) Need to retain semi-rural character (H9 status), consisting of larger properties, good amount of open spaces and overall sylvan setting. TPOs to be placed on all mature trees.

(ii) Long-standing issue of (dangerous and inaccessible) entrance to Bell Hill recreation ground must be resolved.

(iii) Possible enhancement of the recreation ground for greater public enjoyment and as a more widely-used communal facility.

(iv) Traffic volume and speed on Bell Hill need more control.

(v) Unsuitable building development in this area to be strongly opposed. This includes attempts at constructing blocks of flats, “garden grabbing”, “infill” housing and the potential inappropriate development of MOD properties (in Woodbury Avenue and Bell Hill).

(vi) Electricity and phone wires on Bell Hill Ridge should be buried.