LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT - Knowle Road - UPDATE jAN 2026

As part of Welborne’s overall approach to nature-led design and land management, we can provide an update of our plans for early 2026.

This includes the removal of three localised areas of unmanaged vegetation along Knowle Road and Burnsall Street on 5th January 2026. This is part of the planned and approved essential enabling works for the next phase of homes, access to the Village Centre, and the future road network of Welborne Way. Please see plan attached.

The plans, supported by detailed habitat mapping and surveys, have been carefully assessed and are being conducted in full compliance with relevant legislation and planning consent. Welborne continues to work in close consultation with Natural England, with all activities approved and licenced. In addition, the vegetation removal will be closely monitored by an ecologist for the full duration.

Welborne will continue to undertake extensive replacement planting in the early months of 2026, creating ecology corridors, new habitat areas, buffer planting and landscaping. More than 30,000 shrubs will be planted including dog rose, elder and honeysuckle, alongside 652 trees such as maple, beech, cherry and oak, offsetting habitat loss.

Additional information:

Significant amounts of this planting will also be taking place across Welborne from January 2026-along the Welborne Mile, within the buffer area to Funtley, Fareham Common, near Blakes Copse and the start a Community Orchard.

Protecting the habitats of hazel dormice is one of several key considerations in our site-wide mitigation strategy. To avoid disturbing the dormice during their crucial period of hibernation, work will be undertaken in two stages and hand-held tools will be used instead of wheeled machinery.

Work will start at the western end of Knowle Road and move eastwards. The pedestrian and cycle path will remain open. No traffic management will be required until work begins on the eastern area of Burnsall Street towards the end of January.

This update follows on from our October notice. Any queries can be raised with us directly at welborne@bucklanddevelopment.com.