Area 10 - Housing west of the railway line and with main access from Winchester Road. This includes Stoneham Park, parts of Frenchmans Road, Rushes Road, Noreuil Road, Queens Road, Princes Road, Kings Road, Gloucester Close, Buckingham Road, York Close.

 

 

 

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Character Analysis
1. Location in Town

 

Central housing area located between the railway and the A3 bypass to the west. Wrapped round by the Bedford Road business park on three sides.
2. Vistas/Views

 

Much of the area is set quite low compared to other parts of Petersfield. Princess Road does however rise slightly immediately giving the Hangers to the north and the South Downs to the south prominence in the distance.

Factory development along Bedford Road to the west has completely cut off a view of the open landscape from ends of Noreuil Road and Buckingham Road
3. Landscaping

 

There are very few signs of deliberate landscaping efforts. More recent housing developments at Stoneham Park, Kings Road and Buckingham Road do enjoy some tree planting for screening purposes. This is particularly important between housing and industrial units to the west. Otherwise private and individual efforts are the main source for some green relief. There is a green strip of land between Stoneham Park and Winchester Road giving this approach into town a rural feel when the bypass roundabout and related activities are left safely behind.
4. Building Characteristics

 

Area 10 contains a catalouge of different styles of housing representing commercial development in this field.

Rushes Road is in this respect the most interesting example including some fine early terraced housing. The street front displays an attractive mix of variations on a theme where gable ends. roofs pitched parallel to the street, porches and bay windows. There is in addition a good display of locally sourced bricks and tiles predominantly in the terracotta colour that local clays produce.

Princess Road gives is in contrast a bleak and dull impression created by a strong linear effect emphasized by single plane frontages and roofing. There is little to divert and excite the eye with the extensive use of pebble dash elevation finishes and concrete tiles.

There is a contrasting style of building along Gloucester Close and Buckingham Road with larger houses, many chalet bungalows, and more generous gardens.

Later compact developments do begin to introduce levels of variation by staggering and altering the orientation direction of dwelling units. Sixties and seventies developments at Queens Road and Stoneham Park and illustrate this although the choice of facing materials is still dull. Harder brick shapes often in yellow feel slightly alien. More contemporary thinking is demonstrated at York Close and Kings Road. Increased variety, better landscaping and softer colours represents progress
5. Building Materials
 Building materials are predominantly brick, render, clay tile, concrete tiles and slate. Some samples of upvc and timber boarding can also be seen.
6. Roofs

 

Roofs are generally set to steeper pitches between 30 and 45 degrees and finished with slate or plain clay tiles. Extensive use of concrete tiles is less pleasing. Rushes Road housing does display a pleasant mix of roof planes visible by the casual passer by although there are appalling samples of dormer window extensions in places.
7. Special Features & Landmarks

 

There are no significant features in this area.
8. Sustainability
 Some use of solar panels is evident. There is a footpath of sorts connecting the Buckingham Road and York Close area with Bedford Road thus providing a pedestrian route via Borough Hill into the town centre. The area is within walking distance of the main railway station which is a bonus.
9. Short summary description of area

 

This area is completely dominated by housing so interesting in that respect. There is a range of development styles that have evolved over the last century to explore. This also provides an opportunity for piecemeal but planned enhancement.
10. Main issues and recommendations

 Area 10 will need a closer analysis as some parts will clearly be subject to regeneration in the not distant future.

The nature of Rushes Road should be preserved as a good example of attractive terraced housing. The commercial thinking behind some more recent developments in the street should be curtailed.
Princess Road is one link road into the area and could be enhanced by introducing some landscaping measures and more attractive street lighting.
Further thought should be given to pedestrian and cycle links with the centre of Petersfield as many people living in the area like to walk into town.
It is essential that extensions and dormer windows are considered in terms of design to enhance the area not only provide additional accommodation.
This area provides an excellent opportunity for experimentation with energy saving measures.
Congested street car parking is a major issue for local residents that ought to be given urgent consideration. It may be that a residents parking should be introduced and a park and ride scheme made avaialble to serve the station.

 

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