Crowdhill Green

Play Area Design

Maintenance Map - July 2022

After a lengthy process Bloors have handed the public open spaces over to Eastleigh Borough Council who are now responsible for the maintenance of this land. The Parish Council will be sub-contracted to maintain this land for the next 12 months. At the end of the 12 months the responsibility of public open space will be officially handed to us, the Parish Council.

You will see from the map below:

Green is the main Trinity maintained area (all residents on the estate pay for this)

Blue is the ‘shared access’ Trinity maintained area (i.e. only some residents pay for this)

Orange is the area maintained by Fair Oak and Horton Heath Parish Council (on behalf of Eastleigh Borough Council for the next 12 months – then taking over responsibility going forward after that).

Location

Crowdhill Green is located on the northern edge of the village of Fair Oak, adjoining Hardings Lane and Winchester Road. Crowdhill Green measures 17.27Ha. in total as shown in image below.

Site Plan taken from the Design and Access Statement

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Planning History

Eastleigh Borough Council granted outline planning consent at Crowdhill Green (O/13/73707) in 2013 for up to 330 dwelling units, a new community building, public open space, and provision of new vehicular access from Winchester Road following demolition of existing buildings and stopping up of existing access.

The site consisted of four residential phases/ Reserved Matters Applications, plus the Community Building, as follows:

Phase 1 – 41 dwellings – (R/14/75539)
Phase 2 – 81 dwellings – (R/15/76118)
Phase 3 – 185 dwellings – (R/15/77100)
Phase 4 – 23 dwellings (RMA - R/16/78543)
Community Building (RMA - R/15/77067)

Bloor Homes constructed Phases 1 and 3, with Phases 2 and 4 built by Linden Homes.

The S106 Schedule 7 which forms part of the planning consent includes the provision of public art, public open space land and a children’s play areas which will be maintained by Fair Oak & Horton Heath Parish Council once formal land transfer takes place. To date (September 2020) the land is still owned and managed by Bloor Homes.

Woodland Community Centre

The provision of a community centre on site formed part of the main planning application. The application sought space for the local scouting group and a nursery.

The Community Centre was constructed in 2017 and in June 2018 the Parish Council took formal possession of the ownership and management of the building.

The building is primarily home to: -

Rainbows Pre-School (https://rainbowsfairoak.co.uk/) Rainbows Pre-School have their own contained nursery space with kitchenette and toilets as well as garden area.

7^th Eastleigh (2^ND FAIR OAK) Scout Group http://www.7theastleigh.scoutsonline.co.uk/ The Scouting Group hold all their activities at the Community Centre and have their externally accessed storeroom.

Spaces for hire https://www.fairoak-pc.gov.uk/explore-all/ The community centre has two large halls for hire, a kitchen and a small conference room which is also available for hire. These spaces are available for general hire. Availability for these spaces can be found in the link above. Various activities take place at the centre throughout the week which can be viewed on the Parish Council’s What’s On guide.

Public Open Space

Trees – as part of their planning obligations, Bloors planted a number of trees on the site including the Public Open Space. Until the land is formally transferred to the Borough/Parish Council, Bloors are legally obliged to maintain the trees, grass, hedges etc on the public open space.

Both the Borough and Parish Council Officers have been undertaking regular site visits and have reported several breaches to Bloors regarding dead/dying trees.

Pathways – as above these have been inspected by both the Borough and Parish Council Officers. Officers from both authorities have concerns regarding the construction and materials used for the pathways. These need to be whacker platted down to ensure that pathway material does not run off in wet weather.

The Borough and Parish Council have reported numerous concerns regarding the condition of the pubic open space on the site and a dialogue is currently taking place between Eastleigh Borough Council and Bloors in seeking a resolution.

Deer Fence – as part of the planning approval, the Woodland Trust requested a deer fence be constructed to the boundary of the public open space and the woodland. Concerns have been raised by residents regarding the suitability of the fence. The Parish Council has received a wooden post and rail specification from the Woodland Trust and is currently seeking permission from Bloors to replace the metal fence with the wooden post and rail. Once permission has been received the Parish will notify residents via this webpage when the works will commence.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is a word used to describe all living things, from the largest species down to the smallest micro-organisms. Changes made to the natural environment have threatened natural habitats for plants and animals, resulting in the loss and extinction of some species and habitats. Now that more people have become aware of the valuable contribution biodiversity has within our urban environment, there is a clearer focus on the need to conserve, enhance and restore biological and geological diversity. The Parish Council when it takes over management of the open space will aim to conserve the open space by: -

Encourage and maintain the wildflowers on the public open space. To encourage new growth the wildflowers will be cut down at the end of their growing season in the autumn so that they can self-seed for next year’s growth. Wildflowers help to encourage bees and other insects.
Similar to Knowle Park, the Parish will cut pathways through the grass on the public open space, to allow tall areas of grass to grow which will also further encourage insects and bees.
Maintenance of hedges, plants etc around the public open space. The Parish will not be responsible for maintenance of shrub borders by properties.

Public Art

The Parish Council was asked by EBC to take forward the installation of the public art on the site. In 2017 the Parish Council after community consultation, commissioned several pieces of art such as metal deer fence, an oak carved lychgate, mosaic woodland themed panels (for the community centre), carved benches, ornate metal fencing and waymarkers.

These have been carefully placed around the site to enhance residents’ journey and experience when walking around the wildflowers, open space and entry to Stoke Park Woods.

Examples of the artwork can be seen to the right: -

Example of public artwork - Badger bench

Example of public artwork - Deer sculptures

The Parish Council obtained permission from Bloors (current landowner) to install the public art in July 2020. Some of the public art such as the waymarkers, has yet to be installed. As the Parish Council is waiting for Bloors/EBC to complete the grounds work needed to bring the public open space up to the correct specification. The Parish Council will not risk damage to the artwork until this has been completed.

However, with the public art installation almost complete at Crowdhill Green, Fair Oak & Horton Heath Parish Council would like to thank all those who have been involved in the designing, commissioning, constructing and installation of all the artwork. This includes the public who submitted their thoughts and ideas to the designers and artists who turned these ideas into wonderful pieces that will be enjoyed by many people for years to come. Special mention goes to the following artists whose valuable contribution to this project should be recognised.

Colin Phillips Designer Blacksmith

Paul Sivell Wood Sculptor

Nicola Henshaw

Will Rosie

Horton Barns Ltd

As part of the final phase to the public art, the Parish Council will commission the construction of information boards explaining the biodiversity that can be found on the public open space. As is usual practice for the Parish Council, we will engage with residents on this. Please keep your eye out on this webpage.

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs)

The development has three SUDs. A brief explanation as to what SUDs are and how they work is given below: -

In natural environments, rain falls on permeable surfaces and soaks into the ground; a process called through infiltration.

In urban areas where many surfaces are sealed by buildings and paving, natural infiltration is limited. Instead, drainage networks consisting of pipes and culverts, divert surface water to local watercourses. In some cases, this has resulted in downstream flooding and deterioration in river water quality caused when foul sewers are overwhelmed by surface water leading to a release of dirty water into rivers.

Sustainable drainage systems aim to alleviate these problems by storing or re-using surface water at source, by decreasing flow rates to watercourses and by improving water quality.

More information on the environmental benefits of SUDs can be found at https://www.susdrain.org/delivering-suds/using-suds/background/sustainable-drainage.html

Useful Information

Residents should report the following issues with the relevant responsible authorities: -

Hampshire County Council (HCC)

Roads, potholes, pavements
Streetlights
Traffic calming

Fair Oak & Horton Heath Parish Council (FOPC)

Public open space
Community Centre
Play Area
Public Art
Fencing

Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC)

Waste disposal
Street scene
Council tax

Hampshire Police

Anti-social behaviour
Obstruction of public highway
Speeding on roads

In an emergency ring 999, for all other concerns call 101

023 8069 2403

Crowdhill Green

Play Area Design

Maintenance Map - July 2022

Location

Hire a Building or Venue

Explore Recreational Facilities

View Parish Council Meeting Agendas & Minutes

Woodland Community Centre

Public Open Space

Public Art

Useful Information

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OPENING TIMES

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