Pattern and content of the settlement

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Pattern and content of the settlement

Housing

Most buildings in Abbotts Ann are private dwellings. There is a mixture of linear development along older roads, but modern housing is clustered in cul-de-sacs and closes. Trees and ample space between these groups stop them from having the appearance of urban housing. However, the large houses in Abbotts Hill appear overpowering, especially when viewed from below and this road has a suburban feel. In any future development care should be taken not to distort the original pattern of the village in terms both of layout and design.

Trees, Hedgerows and Boundaries

The mature trees in Abbotts Ann are a vital feature of the village. The Jubilee Oak is a much referred-to landmark as are the majestic lime trees in the water meadows (one of which is the largest in England). High deciduous trees provide a background to house silhouettes, whilst the large numbers of very tall mature yew trees are characteristic of Abbotts Ann and preferable to conifers. Existing trees of landscape value in the village should be vigorously protected. The planting of new trees is to be encouraged, and any existing trees that require removal should be replaced when felled.

Boundaries in traditional materials such as walls of brick, brick and flint, chalk, white painted wooden picket fences or hedges of beech, hawthorn, fir, privet, ivy, box, yew and blackthorn are much valued for their appearance. High tile-topped Hampshire walls are an attractive feature of the village. The use of traditional materials for boundaries should be encouraged.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

  1. Care should be taken to maintain the area of countryside between Abbotts Ann and the A303 so that it remains a physical and visible gap protecting the separate identity of Abbotts Ann.
  2. The provision of sufficient off street parking is a necessity in any new development within the village. Where possible this should be hidden from view.
  3. Further street lighting should be discouraged.
  4. Existing footpaths should be maintained, and consideration given, to creating new paths between Little Ann and Cattle Lane, and along Pillhill Brook.
  5. The water meadows (including the land north of the church path) and other open spaces within the village should be preserved. Further, there should be no additional annexation of water meadow land into enclosed gardens.
  6. Agricultural uses of land should be encouraged.
  7. Infilling between existing pockets of development should be controlled carefully to protect the important open views and spaces in the village.
  8. In any future development care should be taken to reflect the original pattern of the village in terms of layout and scale as well as design and character.
  9. Present schemes to bury existing overhead cables should be encouraged, and further schemes to extend this initiative would further enhance the appearance of the village.
  10. Existing mature trees of landscape value should be preserved and maintained. Planting of new trees is to be encouraged, and existing trees should be replaced if felled.
  11. New boundaries should use traditional materials such as brick and flint, chalk or render with tile tops, white painted wooden picket fences, or hedges of beech, hawthorn, fir, privet, ivy, box, yew or blackthorn.