Hampshire Development Forum members from the public, private and third sector came together at Solent Airport on 25 June to hear about planning in Fareham, emerging policy for the Combined Authority, and key infrastructure works ongoing around the south of the county.
Convened by the Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Simon Martin, and Director of Planning and Regeneration, Richard Jolley, members heard and discussed the ambitions of the borough and its ongoing regeneration projects, including around diversification in Fareham Town Centre, and further development around the meeting venue, Solent Airport.
These plans were presented to members in detail alongside a pipeline of future housing and community projects for the coming years in the borough. Taken together, the discussions were a key insight into what good looks like to the borough council’s senior leadership.
Members also welcomed engineering specialist Volker Fitzpatrick, which currently works on coastal defence schemes in the region as well as significant improvements at Junction 10 of the M27. Volker Fitzpatrick’s project director for the M27 work gave forum members an insight into the partnership working alongside local and national authorities to deliver this highly technical and sensitive work. This included a detailed presentation on the construction of a new motorway bridge, which was completed with cutting edge technology ahead of time in January 2026.
Finally, members also gained insight into the emerging policy environment for Hampshire and the Solent’s first Combined Authority (HSCCA). Senior officers from Hampshire County Council, which is developing key policies such as the Local Growth Plan, presented the emerging policy and what to expect from these documents.
Taken together, the 25 June meeting gave members from the public, private and third sectors a key insight into the ambitions of Fareham and its surrounding areas as it looks towards the emerging South East Hampshire council, and the policies already developing ahead of the election of Hampshire and Solent’s first mayor. Members also got an exclusive look into the highly technical infrastructure work taking place to improve transport capacity in the south of the county which will unlock housing growth north of the motorway, particularly around the forthcoming Welborne development. Members will next meet on 3 September for their annual dinner. For details of this and future events and how to attend, please contact team@hampshiredev.co.uk