Design &
Community Code

This Code is based on the consultation, research, and evolution of the design principles established since the Enquiry by Design held in 2008. The approach taken is not, however, conventional and therefore some of what is expressed may not be familiar. The key to the success of these schemes is in establishing support locally from the new residents and occupiers for this novel approach and the initiatives comprised within it.

We hope the new communities will embrace the thinking and take ownership of, and civic pride in, the built environment. While The Ashfield Estate will continue to take an enduring interest in the three schemes to ensure overall regulation where necessary, the hope is that, in due course, a Residents’ Association, or similar body, will emerge to promote this Code and manage matters covered by it with a Management Company responsible The Design and Community Code is intended therefore to give confidence to owners and occupiers that things will not change without consensus and that, where change is sought, the Ashfield Estate will regulate matters so that the high standards set are maintained for the benefit of all. The Code explains the thinking and the detail of the approach so that this is easily understood by buyers and occupiers of new homes and workspaces. In other words if you buy into the scheme you do so appreciative of what has been designed and on the understanding that if you are thinking about some change to your property there are covenant controls in place. We hope you will agree that only sensitive and well considered change is likely to be possible. Some proposals, on that basis, may not be permitted.

The Design and Community Code, by its very nature, will evolve over time as the three schemes emerge and we can then provide up to date information and images of what has actually been built.

Design Philosophy

Our three house builders produced a Design Philosophy document with the reserved matters planning application for Mountbatten Park. In its assessment The Test Valley Design Review Panel stated:

"As a general comment the panel considered this was an unusually well considered housing scheme resulting in a layout that promises to deliver an interesting and satisfying conclusion. With a continued interest being taken by the current land owner, there is therefore a good chance that both the design and landscape discipline proposed will be maintained."