Newlands Farm, Fareham

Newlands is a strategic urban extension on the southern edge of Fareham, promoted by Hallam Land as a sustainable new community. The site now benefits from outline planning permission on appeal for up to 1,200 homes, an 80 bed care home, a primary school, local centre, sports hub and a country park including a dedicated bird reserve and green infrastructure network. The project sits in a sensitive planning context, with close scrutiny of highways impact, flood risk, utilities capacity, environmental effects and the requirement to address Solent nutrient neutrality. Brookbanks was engaged to provide coordinated technical advice across multiple disciplines to support promotion, secure consent and position the site for successful disposal.

Our Role

Transport planning

Brookbanks prepared the transport assessment and supporting work to demonstrate a safe and efficient access strategy from Longfield Avenue and Peak Lane, appropriate junction arrangements, and sustainable movement by walking, cycling and public transport. The work addressed local and strategic network effects and informed the access, street hierarchy and active travel connections presented at appeal.

Flood risk and drainage

We completed detailed flood risk and drainage assessments to confirm that development can take place on safe land with robust mitigation. The strategy manages surface water on site through sustainable drainage features integrated with the country park and green corridors, controls runoff rates, and ensures no increase in flood risk on or off site, aligned with national and local policy expectations.

Utilities

Our team undertook utilities due diligence across electricity, water, wastewater and telecoms to confirm capacity, identify required reinforcements and define practical connection strategies. This informed the masterplan layout, infrastructure phasing and commercial assumptions, reducing risk for both the promotion and future purchasers.

Ground conditions

Brookbanks reviewed available ground investigation and environmental information to identify geotechnical and contamination constraints, advise on earthworks and foundation strategy, and inform abnormal cost allowances. This provided Hallam Land and prospective housebuilders with clear, decision ready information.

Noise and air quality

We carried out baseline noise and air quality assessments to consider the impact of local roads and wider emission sources on future residents and sensitive uses. The outputs shaped the masterplan layout, mitigation measures and design criteria to ensure compliance with relevant guidance and a suitable living environment across the development.

Nutrient neutrality

Brookbanks prepared the nutrient neutrality assessment for the scheme, applying the Solent region guidance and current Natural England methodology. The work demonstrated that the proposed change from agricultural land use results in a compliant nutrient budget, supporting a clear and defensible position at examination and appeal.

The Outcome

The design of 2km of new strategic link road
Resolution of nitrates issues by demonstrating that the complete development provides a net benefit to the on-site nitrogen budget. Furthermore, the site has created a net credit for other local developments to utilise if they are in a nitrogen deficit

Site disposal support

Following the grant of outline consent, we packaged the technical evidence into a disposal ready suite, including clear summaries of constraints, mitigation and infrastructure obligations. This enabled Hallam Land and their agents to take Newlands to market with a transparent, credible and well evidenced offer that supports efficient transaction and delivery.
Brookbanks provided a fully integrated, appeal ready technical platform for Newlands. Our work helped secure outline permission for a major new community and gave Hallam Land a de risked, clearly evidenced asset ready for disposal and phased delivery by housebuilder partners.