2026 Site Updates

find out what’s happening on site at Welborne

24th April: open space updates

Dashwood : the forestry works scheduled for this week have been moved to the week beginning 4th May. See post below dated 15th April for more details. The Summer felling works are expected to take place around June / July. Access to the woodland will continue but you will find some section of the path temporarily closed where machinery is at work.

Welborne Mile : It’s great to see cyclists, horse-riders and walkers regularly use this route. This is a shared space for all so we would encourage users to be familiar with the Countryside Code https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/countrysidecode/ . Works to repair sections of the path damaged from the wet weather earlier this year are planned to take place soon.

Public footpath re-opened : Closure of the public footpath between Dashwood and the A32 (footpath no 87) was necessary to accommodate important trenching works associated with the removal of the overhead cables and pylons planned this summer. We are pleased to say that the footpath is now open again and available for walkers and runners to enjoy. Details of local public footpath routes can be found on the Hampshire County Council website https://maps.hants.gov.uk/rightsofwaydefinitivemap/

Playground parking : The playground and green park at Welborne is proving popular and working well as a place for all to enjoy and let the children run around. Parking is available at Dashwood car park less than 5 minutes walk away or in allocated parking bays on Dashwood Avenue. Please help to keep the Castel Lane, and the turning circle area at the end, free of parked cars. The turning circle area is designed for emergency vehicle use as Castel Lane is a no-through road.

Fareham Common : With the better weather and the ground drying out, we are working closely with Hampshire County Council on re-profiling works which are planned for the coming months. More details to follow. The new footpath leading up to Kiln Road is currently closed at the Kiln Road entrance/ exit point whilst works are underway at M27 Junction 10 and the Common. In preparation for opening of the path later this year and a future crossing point, the pedestrian footpath exit point onto Kiln Road needs to be widen to improve visibility and safer crossing for users. A section of the existing hedge therefore needs to be removed. A licence has been obtained from Natural England to undertake the works in May. The works will be overseen by an independent licensed ecologist who will inspect the hedges before any removal works can proceed. A temporary stock fence will be in place until replacement hedging is planted nearby.

15th April: Dashwood Works

We have been busy managing all our green spaces over winter.  Dashwood is no exception and we regularly monitor the woodland trees felling any dead, dying or dangerous trees – mostly this has been associated with Ash die-back in the area marked in white on this plan. The felled trees now need removing so our forestry team will be working within Dashwood during the week commencing 20th April.  This will mean short term closure of some sections of the circular permissive path within the woodland, for safety reasons, whilst the extraction is undertaken will be working.  Please take note of any signage in place and be aware of forestry vehicles.  Further felling works are expected in Summer this year and we will keep you updated nearer the time. Plan Here

27TH FEBRUARY: WEATHER IMPACTS

The recent continuous wet weather has brought its challenges to us all in many ways. At Welborne, our regular monitoring of the public rights of way have picked up surface damage some sections of the new footpaths caused by the heavy rain. Our Maintenance Team will be undertaking repairs over the coming weeks to restore the affected areas. The ground is also very wet - not ideal conditions for the new trees and shrubs planned as part of our planting programme within the Welborne Mile, Blakes Copse, Funtley buffer and Fareham Common. The planting programme has therefore been delayed to let the ground dry out and is now expected to run into early April.

17th February: Forest Lane

A section of Forest Lane will be closed from Monday 2nd March for 8 weeks to carry out some important infrastructure works. We have constructed a diversion route to enable full access to all properties during these works. Letters have been delivered to local business and residents to provide advance notice of the works – details can be found here.

11th february: Public Footpath - Welborne mile

With the new route along Welborne Mile fully open for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, the former pedestrian only access point on Knowle Road will be closing.  Please use the nearby access point opposite Dashwood Car Park. Images provided for guidance.

6th February: Welborne Mile planting

We have started another planting programme across Welborne. We are planting a wide range of native shrubs and trees to help enrich our green spaces and create better-connected habitats. Planting has started along Welborne Mile by our contractors Penfold Woodlands and is expected to be completed around end of March. The new multi user path will remain open to pedestrians, cyclist and horses during this time. Temporary fencing will be installed around newly planted shrubs to protect them from grazing by deers. As the vegetation becomes established, it will develop into new woodlands areas and linked habitats that support local wildlife by providing spaces for nesting, feeding and safe movement through the landscape.

20th January: Fareham Common

While junction works and Fareham Common landscaping continue over the coming months, there is currently no pedestrian link to Kiln Road. This link will open in Autumn 2026, providing new pedestrian and cycle routes across Fareham Common to connect north Fareham with Welborne. Please see the alternative available route on the plan attached.

15th December: Dashwood Tree Felling

Please note that the forestry team are working in Dashwood this week felling dead, dying or dangerous trees within falling distance of public access routes. The works should be completed this week, the timber will be left on the ground for extraction later in the year. Whilst the team are working sections of the paths in Dashwood will be closed for public safety. Sorry for any inconvenience.