A sensitive approach to growth that will ensure a sustainable future for the town
Alton is an historic market town in East Hampshire nestled in open countryside adjacent to the South Downs National Park. It provides an attractive place to live but has an aging population and a shortage of homes to meet local needs.
Urban Initiatives Studio was appointed by East Hampshire District Council to assess the potential for the town to accommodate new homes and to consider where these may be best located. Housing growth was seen as an opportunity for the town but only if it could help to support the town centre functions, providing additional catchment for shops and other facilities. The preferred locations for new homes were therefore based on accessibility to the town centre, landscape impact and wider transport accessibility. In parallel a strategy to enhance the town centre was also prepared. The commission involved close stakeholder working.
Our study informed the Council’s Core Strategy and considers this growth set within a longer-term vision for the town. A vision that will enable Alton to take better advantage of its historic and landscape assets, to welcome business and to prosper in the future.
DATA
CLIENT
East Hampshire District Council
LOCATION
Alton, Hampshire
TEAM
Urban Initiatives Studio
DATES
March 2013 - September 2013
OUTCOMES
A long term vision for the town
Evidence base to support the Core Strategy