Fawley power station redevelopment gets green light

Plans to redevelop the former Fawley power station have been approved by the New Forest Park Authority and local authority.

The proposed scheme includes the redevelopment of the former power station, a key brownfield site, to create a new community including 1,500 homes, 96,500 square metres of new commercial, civic and employment space, with a canal and dock and a boat stack.

All will be supported by new infrastructure and community facilities in the form of a two-form entry primary school, public open space, a new Nature Park and habitat enhancements. The development will be served by a new access off the B3053.

The plans have been approved at separate meetings earlier this week by the New Forest Park Authority and New Forest District Council.

Developers Fawley Waterside Ltd will start working on the infrastructure on the site in 2021 with the first homes expected to be available by 2023.

‘We’re pleased with the strong support from district councillors and the National Park Authority and their recognition of the enormous efforts that have gone into these outline planning applications,’ said Fawley Waterside chief executive, Aldred Drummond.

‘Our ambition has always been to build one of the most beautiful small towns in England, one with solid economic purpose that provides much needed job opportunities and acts as a significant economic boost for the Waterside. Paramount is the protection of the New Forest and enhancement of the landscape and biodiversity surrounding this new town.’

The leader of New Forest District Council, Cllr Barry Rickman, added: ‘This decision marks the start of a truly exciting project that will revitalise the economic future of the New Forest area. I would like to extend my tremendous thanks to all those involved, council officers and members, partners and interested groups in our community, whose contributions have all brought us to this point.

‘As well as providing much needed affordable housing, this development will provide employment opportunities, as well as supporting the ever-increasing amount of home working.’

Photo Credit — Fawley Waterside Ltd