Consultation information
Introduction
Fawley Waterside Limited are bringing forward new proposals for the former Fawley Power Station site, transforming it into a modern hub for jobs, innovation and energy.
The emerging vision for the site is for a commercial, employment-led development that maximises its strategic location on the Solent and follows on from the historic energy use. The proposals will repurpose the site into a modern centre of enterprise, delivering high-quality local jobs across the energy, maritime and digital sectors, while supporting the region’s growth.
The previous proposals for a residential-led redevelopment were not financially viable and are no longer being pursued.
We are holding a consultation to provide you with the opportunity to learn more about our proposals and share your views. You can fill out our online survey at the bottom of this page or please get in touch with the team who will send you a Feedback Form.
The Team
The Team Fawley Waterside Limited is working with a team of specialists to develop the proposals for Fawley Waterside. The team comprises:
Development Manager
Masterplanner and Architect
Planning Consultant
Environmental Specialist
Community Engagement
Traffic and Transport
The Site
This is an exciting opportunity to re-energise a former energy producing site, creating an employment and landscape led masterplan delivering employment and improved pedestrian connectivity for the region.
The site area for the Outline Planning Application extends to approximately 91 acres. The area within the outer red line shown on the plan includes both the Hynamics plot (approximately 10 acres) and the existing National Grid substation (approximately 19.4 acres), both of which will remain under their respective control.
The proposals have been developed to maximise the use of the existing site boundary, avoiding encroachment into the National Park. There are a number of sensitive areas surrounding the site, and the proposals are being designed to minimise impacts on these areas.
The aim is to re-use the dock to support Southampton’s maritime industry, while seeking to reduce traffic movements where possible. The former canteen building is one of the few remaining structures associated with the former power station and is proposed for reuse as a public café.
The turbine hall basement presents both opportunities and challenges for the future development of the site. We welcome thoughts and ideas on how this space could be best utilised. The basement extends to approximately 8 acres, is 8–9 metres deep, and is surrounded by raking piles that supported the turbine hall structure. The base incorporates approximately 2 metres of concrete, with large pipes embedded to support cooling and drainage operations associated with the former power station.
Other areas of the site retain elements of the former power station infrastructure, including the cooling water inlets from the dock and the siphonic drainage outlets that extend into the Solent.
The plans for the site are still evolving, and we welcome your feedback and ideas.
Proposed Masterplan
Concepts for the regeneration of Fawley Waterside have evolved around an employment-led, landscape-driven strategy.
The current proposals deliver up to 190,000 sqm of floorspace, with a mix of energy, digital, maritime, commercial and start-up space, supporting new jobs in the region.
Our emerging proposals include:
- Digital industries, leveraging the proximity to potential future power availability.
- Maritime buildings, maximising the site’s strategic waterside location, use of the dock and its role within the Freeport.
- Starter units for business and light industrial use.
- Storage and commercial buildings.
- Retention of the former canteen building to provide a cafe.
- Landscaping to enhance the site and integrate with the character of the New Forest.
- Improvements to flood defence measures, to help future proof the site.
Fawley Waterside Limited is still developing the proposals for the site, and the plans are subject to change following further assessments and community feedback.
1. National Grid
The masterplan excludes the National Grid substation from our red line due to their long leasehold interest on the site. Separately, National Grid are preparing a submission to Ofgem to request approval for the upgrade of the existing substation. They are at the start of a long process of approvals, although the aim is to relocate the substation within the site.
2. Hynamics
The Hynamics Fawley Green Hydrogen project is one of the UK’s leading ‘clean’ energy developments. These proposals will be brought forward as a separate application by Hynamics and are excluded from the planning application red line. More information can be found at www.hynamics.com/en/fawley-green-hydrogen-UK.
Landscape and Visual Impact
As part of our planning application, we are preparing a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment to support the design of the proposed development.
We will consider the current landscape features of the site, the character of the surrounding area, and the current and future views of the site when finalising our proposals.
Landscape Visual Assessment
We recognise the importance of carefully considering how the development sits within its surrounding landscape, including views experienced by local residents and users of the nearby Public Rights of Way, permissive paths, public highways and the waterway.
A comprehensive Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment will continue to inform the design approach, ensuring that the proposals respond sensitively to its setting.
Landscaping
Existing landscape features, including well-established hedgerows along field boundaries and roads, provide a strong framework that helps to contain and filter views of the development, particularly from the north (Exxon) and west (Quarry site).
The landscape proposals for the site have been informed by the surrounding landscape framework, with the design evolving to reflect and enhance the character of the local area, creating an integrated scheme.
A series of distinct but complementary landscape character areas are proposed across the site which will work alongside footpaths and walkways to create an attractive and accessible environment.
Lighting
We will use appropriate lighting to the local context, functionality, safety, minimising lighting impacts on neighbouring residents, users of the National Park and public rights of way, whilst also taking into account sensitive ecological habitats.
Traffic and Transport
Local Road Network
Fawley Waterside, in combination with the Solent Enterprise Partnership funded improvements to following junctions between 2021 and 2023, to facilitate the significant traffic flows traffic that were predicted to be generated by the previous planning application.
- Holbury Roundabout
- Hardley Roundabout
- Dibden Roundabout
As part of the current proposals, further modelling of the junctions have been carried out. The assessments suggest that the proposed development would have no material impact on their operation.
Construction Traffic
A Construction Traffic Management Plan will be developed and implemented to control the timing and routing of HGV movements associated with construction. We expect the HGV traffic associated with the proposed development would have similar restrictions imposed on them as the current temporary open storage uses on the site, minimising their impact.
Bus Connections
We currently do not anticipate that demand will be high enough to require bus services to be extended to the site; however, we are considering the provision of a minibus service between the Fawley Waterside and Fawley Square to provide a connection to existing services. This would also enable staff to take advantage of facilities within Fawley, on lunch breaks and after work.
Pedestrian and Cycle Access
The site is connected to Fawley and Holbury by existing footpaths, however there is no footway along the B3053 between Calshot Road and School Road so that anyone wishing to walk to the site currently needs to route through Fawley. Alongside this, there are currently no dedicated cycle facilities along the B3053 or the Northern Access Road.
To improve pedestrian and cycle access to the site, we are considering the following improvements:
- Upgrade the existing footway on the north side of the Northern Access Road to provide a footway/cycleway between the Public Right of Way (PRoW) 088/1/1 and the B3053
- Upgrade the existing footway on the north side of the B3053 between the site and Calshot road to provide a footway/cycleway
- Provide a new footway/cycleway on the north side of the B3053 between Calshot Road and School Road and improve crossing of the B3053
Improved Pedestrian Access Between Calshot, the Site and Fawley
There is currently no direct connection from the Coastal Path into the site, however, we are considering the following improvements to enhance pedestrian access in the area for wider public benefit:
- A new pedestrian link alongside the site boundary connecting PRoW 088/4/1 to PRoW 088/6/1
- Provision of a new pedestrian link from the Coastal Path (PRoW 088/5/1) into the site café
Flood, Air Quality and Noise
The health and wellbeing of local residents, those working on site and visitors is a priority in planning the development.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that will be submitted as part of the planning application, will include a comprehensive assessment of flood, air quality and noise during both the construction phase and the operational use. The assessment will look carefully at the potential effects on adjacent boundaries, nearby homes, the New Forest National Park and other sensitive locations.
Air Quality
Any air quality impacts during the construction phase will be managed and controlled through a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), which will set out practical measures to limit dust, emissions, and other construction-related pollution.
Operational phase air quality impacts at sensitive receptors will be assessed through the EIA process, and suitable mitigations will be proposed.
Noise
Construction noise will be assessed in accordance with the British Standard for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites.
The operational noise assessment will cover a range of noise sources, including on-site business activities, road traffic associated with the development, machinery and dock operations.
The assessment will carefully consider the impact on sensitive receptors in the surrounding area, including residential properties in Calshot, Fawley and Holbury villages, and the New Forest National Park.
Flood
The Environment Agency (EA) has carried out detailed coastal flood modelling, mapping potential flood extents and depths at Fawley under a range of scenarios, including the effects of projected sea level rise over time. This modelling shows that, without intervention, rising sea levels could result in significant flooding of the Fawley site within 50 to 75 years under a 1 in 200 year storm event.
We have carefully reviewed this evidence and recognise that any proposed development must be designed to remain safe and resilient against increasing flood risk well into the future. We are actively assessing two approaches to protect the site from future flood risk:
- Perimeter Flood Defence: Building structures such as earth bunds and floodwalls around the site to prevent floodwaters from entering.
- Land Raising: Building up the land so that the development on the site is situated above the flood levels.
Neither of these measures will impact the overall height of the development.
Nature and Ecology
Fawley Waterside is located on the edge of the New Forest National Park.
While the site itself lies outside the National Park boundary, Fawley Waterside Limited recognises its responsibility to protect, and wherever possible enhance, the surrounding natural environment.
As part of our planning application, we are preparing a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment to understand the site’s existing ecological conditions and to inform appropriate mitigation and enhancement measures.
The designs are being informed by the neighbouring National Park land and we are avoiding any development within the National Park.
We are carrying out extensive marine and terrestrial surveys to support the Environmental Impact Assessment that will be submitted with the application. This includes:
- Bat activity surveys
- Bat dusk emergence surveys
- Breeding bird surveys
- Winter bird surveys
- Botanical surveys
- HRA
- Phase 1 intertidal PEA
- Phase 2 marine surveys
- Fish surveys
Benefits
Jobs and skills
The proposals will deliver new jobs in both construction and operation of the developed site. These will be high-quality roles across the energy, digital and maritime industries. From apprenticeships upwards, this will help retain local talent and attract new skills to the area.
Improved access and connections to wider area
Provision of a new pedestrian link from the Coastal Path into the site cafe and a new pedestrian link alongside the site boundary connecting to the existing public rights of way.
Retention of the former canteen
Fawley Waterside will provide a cafe in the former power station canteen building, offering direct connections from the coastal path.
Landscaping
The landscape led approach will deliver new planting, green space and landscape zones across the site. This will help soften views towards the site and soften the ecological boundary between the site and the National Park.
New business and start-up space
The proposals will offer ‘right-sized’ spaces for small businesses to take advantage of the Solent Freeport incentives, supporting the wider local economy.
Energy and sustainability gains
Re-energise a former energy producing site to provide a modern centre for energy, digital and maritime uses while safeguarding and enhancing the site’s ecological credentials.
Regeneration of the brownfield site
The proposals will see the regeneration of the underutilised brownfield site of the former power station, which was decommissioned in 2013.
Enhanced flood protection
The development will deliver reinforced flood mitigation measures, reducing flood risk.
Business rate
Through generation of additional business rates, the proposals will support the wide economy of the New Forest and Hampshire.
Have your say
We would like to hear your views on our emerging proposals for Fawley Waterside. The public consultation is open from Tuesday 30 June until Tuesday 21 July 2026.
We are committed to working with you to shape a project that delivers longterm benefits for the New Forest, and we encourage all interested parties to get involved and share their views.
Our proposals are not yet finalised, and further information will be provided at a secondary round of consultation.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact the project team using the details below:
Next steps
June 2026
Public consultation
Summer 2026
Review of feedback and refine proposals
Early Autumn 2026
Second round of public consultation
Late Autumn 2026
Planning application submission
2027
Anticipated planning decision