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- The £2.3bn project has been put on hold amid local concerns it is too ambitious
Concerns are growing that a £2.3 billion plan to create a “British Venice” on the south coast is about to fall through.
Plans to create one of “England’s most beautiful new towns” were unveiled in 2017 and include a stunning canal at the center of the development.
it It also promises a state-of-the-art waterside town with driverless cars, 1,500 charming homes, grazing donkeys and ponies, a marina and even its own amphitheater.
But now the plans, designed by the same architect who worked with King Charles on designing his estate, have stalled and may fail.
The new town of Fawley Waterside is woefully behind original plans, with homes expected to be completed in 2023 still to be built.
Foley’s proposed 300-acre site, on the edge of Hampshire’s famous New Forest National Park, is the vision of wealthy businessman Aldred Drummond, who owns the neighboring Cardland Estate. Cadland Estate).
The site was formerly the Foley Power Station, but its 650-foot-tall chimney was blown up in 2021 as part of a plan to “transform a rich part of our industrial heritage into a thriving residential and commercial waterfront community.”
But work has come to a standstill Locals fear Mr Drummond’s “masterplan” is too “ambitious” – as he has stepped back from the day-to-day running of the scheme.
Concerns have also been raised about a lack of progress – with homes expected to be built in 2023 still not being built.
Mr Drummond’s company, Fawley Waterside, said it was conducting a “review” of its plans.
It was celebrated in 2017 when it was announced that a new town would be built on the south coast, promising modern homes, a school, a hotel, a new nature park and thousands of jobs.
Some even say there was a revolving restaurant 650 feet in the air at the top of Foley’s chimney when it still existed.
The Foley Power Plant (where scenes from Han Solo and Mission: Impossible 5 were filmed) has been demolished to make way for the town.
In 2020, the New Forest National Park Authority and New Forest District Council approved the plan, subject to a legal agreement being signed.
However, four years on, no documents have been signed and people are “nervous” about the future of the development.
District councilor David Harrison, who represents Hampshire County Council, said: “Aldred Drummond was the main driver behind the whole scheme.
“This is an ambitious project with the promise of new housing, including affordable housing for many people, substantial employment opportunities – particularly in the maritime sector – and a beautifully designed new community with many environmental aspects. town.
If it turns out that the program is ultimately abandoned or significantly scaled back, this could be a significant and unwelcome development.
“It made a lot of promises in terms of economic growth, jobs and housing – a lot of effort was put into it.
“Hopefully there won’t be a less ambitious plan to consider.
“I hope this doesn’t mean a cutback in affordable housing because there’s huge demand for that in the New Forest.”
Alan Alvey, chairman of Welfare Parish Council, said of Mr Drummond’s withdrawal: “I was surprised and a bit nervous and wondered if this indicated a change in proposals for the scheme.”
Councilor Alvey added: “I just hope that if there are any changes they can maintain the high quality development that is planned.”
“I think if it’s scaled down, I don’t think it’s a problem.
“I think the quality of the development, especially the housing, is the selling point for me.”
Businessman Mr Drummond, known as one of Britain’s leading figures, has links to the area dating back to the 1950s, when his family’s estate was demolished to make way for a power station.
Not only is he CEO of Fawley Waterside, he is also the owner of Cadland Estate.
A spokesman for Fawley Waterside said in a statement: “Aldred Drummond has stepped back from day-to-day management of the site but remains part of the committed group of investors behind the project.
“The team is currently working with its consultants to review current plans for the scheme and identify next steps to progress the development of the site and we look forward to sharing further news in due course.”
Locals on social media said the plans were unrealistic.
One person said, “There is simply no place for vanity projects in this day and age,” and “the days of empires and financial profligacy are long gone.”
“Hard times have arrived and the rich are trying to get richer, but the poor are still getting poorer.”
One skeptic added: “Falling interest rates and rising raw material costs have left this scheme in trouble.” They were unable to raise the additional funds needed.
Renowned architects Ben Pentreath and Leon Krier were recruited to work on Fawley Waterside.
Mr Pentreath has worked with the Duchy of Cornwall, owned by King Charles, on “a number of projects”, while Mr Creel supported the Poundbury masterplan at the King’s request.
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