Frequently asked
questions

Below you will find answers to a range of questions on our proposals for Fawley Waterside.

If your query is not listed below, please reach out to the team via fawleywaterside@consultationonline.co.uk or by calling 020 3398 1590.

What is this project?

Fawley Waterside Limited is bringing forward new proposals for the former Fawley Power Station site in the south-eastern corner of the New Forest.

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 a range of local jobs in construction and operation across the start-up, industrial, energy, maritime and digital sectors, while supporting the region’s growth.

What is the planning process?

We are carrying out pre-application engagement, including meetings with council officers, and are now consulting the community, stakeholders and interested parties, ahead of the submission of a formal Outline planning application to New Forest District Council.

We held an initial round of public consultation in June/July 2026. Following this, we reviewed the feedback received and carried out further survey work to help refine our proposals. As a result, we have made a number of updates, and we are now holding a second round of consultation on our refined proposals.

We have also submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Request and have received a Scoping Opinion from New Forest District Council which the team considered ahead of the first round of consultation.

Our team is engaging with key specialist bodies including the Environment Agency, Natural England, Historic England and County Highways, as we undertook our environmental assessment work. We have continued to engage specialist bodies and key stakeholders as our proposals have progressed.

As this proposal is for an Outline masterplan, subject to its approval, further applications will be submitted in partnership with the future occupiers of the plots.

What has changed since the first round of consultation?

We’ve made a number of updates to the proposed development following the first consultation, including:

  • Reducing the proposed commercial floorspace by almost 25% from approximately 190,000 sqm to 143,000 sqm.
  • Proposing a permissive footpath linking Fawley and Calshot through the site and connecting to Tom Tiddler’s and a public route to the new cafe is provided from the King Charles III coastal footpath.
  • Proposing a new crossing on the B3053 near School Road/Church Lane and potential reductions to speed limits are also being explored.
  • Designing lighting to maintain the “dark sky” around the site
Why is a residential scheme not being proposed?

We have carefully considered whether the former Power Station site could be redeveloped for residential use, including testing a scheme that sought to maximise the number of homes that could be delivered on the available brownfield land only. The viability assessment found that this form of development would not be financially viable and was not subsequently confirmed by the Council’s own viability consultant. Further information can be found here: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/media/5014/Viability-executive-summary-by-applicant/pdf/1_Viability_executive_summary_by_applicant.pdf?m=1782733152010

The 2019 planning application for a residential-led redevelopment was withdrawn due to a lack of viability.

Is Hynamics part of the application?

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.

Why is the National Grid substation not included in the application?

The 400kV substation on site is part of the National Grid’s main grid distribution network. The masterplan excludes the substation from our red line due to their long leasehold interest on the site. Separately, National Grid is 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.

What is meant by the uses included within the masterplan?
  • Digital industries are technology-based businesses that work with data and digital systems. This could include data centres, AI and advanced computing, software and cybersecurity.
  • Maritime refers to businesses that make use of the site’s waterfront location, the dock and access to Southampton Water. This could include supporting off-shore renewables, marine related storage and specialist maritime related businesses.
  • Industrial refers to a range of uses that could include manufacturing or assembly, research and development, storage and other light industrial processes.
  • Start Up will include new or growing businesses that need flexible workspace to establish and develop their operations.

The outline planning application will establish the range of potential uses, and the exact mix will be determined at the Reserved Matters stage.

What jobs will the proposals bring?

The proposals are expected to deliver at least 1,200 operational jobs created once the site is complete. Based on current behaviour patterns approximately three quarters of these jobs would be for people living in the New Forest area. From apprenticeships upwards, this will help retain local talent and attract new skills.

Are there opportunities for local businesses to get involved in the supply chain?

Yes. Where possible we will look to work with local businesses. Please get in touch with the team on fawleywaterside@consultationonline.co.uk or by calling 020 3398 1590.

What are the timelines for the project and construction?

We held an initial public consultation on our proposals earlier this summer. Following the round of consultation, we reviewed the feedback received and carried out further surveys to help refine our proposals. We are now hosting a further consultation this autumn to continue our engagement with the local community, stakeholders and interested parties. We aim to submit an Outline application in late Autumn 2026. The current timeline is as follows:

  • June–July 2026: Public consultation
  • Summer 2026: Review feedback and refine proposals
  • September-October 2026: Second round of public consultation
  • Late Autumn 2026: Anticipated submission of the planning application
  • Spring 2027: Expected New Forest District Council Planning Committee decision on the Outline planning application

If approved, Reserved Matters applications would be required to deal with the specific details of the development. However, an indicative construction timeline for the proposed development could be anticipated to be as follows:

  • Enabling Works: Summer 2027 – Summer 2029
  • Off-Site Infrastructure: Summer 2027 – Summer 2037
  • Sea Defence Works: Summer 2027 – Autumn 2031
  • Phase 1 Construction works: Winter 2028 – Autumn 2035
  • Phase 2: Spring 2030 – Autumn 2037
  • Phase 3: Spring 2033 – Summer 2040
  • Phase 4: Summer 2035 – Autumn 2042