Introduction
Context
The site has a rich military history and legacy. Situated on the site of the former HMS Flowerdown, a Second World Ward naval listening station, the site contains several original radio mast fixings in the northern training area.
In more recent years and up to the present day, the site has used by the army for initial recruit training, although is due to be vacated in 2026. This has meant much of the site being securely fenced, with restricted public access, for a number of years.
The various constraints and opportunities for development of Sir John Moore Barracks, is set out below, below based on our initial technical studies to aid site understanding.
Topography
Much of the site is undulating, with several small valley features running across it, creating a varied and interesting internal landscape.
Four grass training field form flatter open spaces adjacent to the buildings, whilst larger sloped training field are located to the north of the site.
Site boundary
Road
Existing building
Existing hard surface
AOD contours
Area of significant level change / mounds
Key valley features
Flood risk
Parts of the site are at risk of flooding from surface water and groundwater flooding. Residential and commercial development will be situated outside of these areas.
Surface water runoff will be attenuated to predevelopment rates, ensuring that flow rates leaving the site remain unchanged.
Any development within or traversing the flood zone will need to be fully designed to operate during a flood event and its downstream (off-site) impacts understood (modelled) and mitigated in the final design.
Landscape and ecology
The site is bordered by extensive areas of woodland, including along the eastern edge along Andover Road North and to the northwest corner adjacent to Main Road. In addition, there are several larger mature parkland trees scatted through the central areas.
The site’s existing landscape includes a range of habitats, with Habitats of Principal Importance (HPI) including hedgerows, woodland and calcareous grassland. These are home to several species including badgers, bats, dormouse, and reptiles. The site is also home to Flowerdown SINC, a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.
- Site boundary
- Road
- Existing building
Existing hard surface
Flowerdown SINC
Woodland
Individual trees
Individual TPO’s in surrounding area
Group TPO’s in surrounding area
Potential wildlife corridor
Local connections
Due to the site’s military use, there is no public access through the site at present. The proposals present an opportunity to open up the site through an internal network of footpaths, cycle infrastructure and streets. This would connect to the local network of roads and footpaths, as well as existing public transport and cycle networks.
Reflecting feedback received from the local community as part of our previous consultation back in 2020/21, there will be no primary vehicle access onto Kennel Lane. All vehicular access will be from Andover Road.
- Site boundary
- Road
- Existing building
- Existing hard surface
Sports field
Private footpath
Public Right of Way- Flowerdown SINC
- Woodland
- Individual trees
Existing built form
The site contains various buildings and areas of hard standing, which are predominantly located along the central spine and within its southern part. This agglomeration of buildings arranged around the internal roadways, squares and parking courts gives the site an urban character enclosed by mature woodland.
We are engaging with Winchester City Council officers to review the embodied carbon considerations associated with redeveloping the site. As these matters progress, masterplanning options will be reviewed as part of a comprehensive carbon assessment to help ensure that the emerging masterplan is delivered as sustainably as possible.
Have your say
Ways you can give your ideas
We are continuing to undertake a comprehensive and transparent four stage consultation programme, reviewing all feedback received throughout, and where possible, incorporating this into the final proposals prior to submitting an application to Winchester City Council.