The Local Plan, site HS6
HS6: Ore Valley (Former Power Station)
- For
- Residential
- Minimum Indicative Capacity (net additional dwellings)
- 78
- Site area
- 2.36 hectares
- SHELAA reference
- HL39
What the plan says about it
The Ore Valley (Former Power Station) is a brownfield former industrial site with potential for residential redevelopment.
The developable parts of this site are confined to the southern half and a smaller area to the north. The remainder of the site is woodland, which should be retained and arrangements made for its management. Access is available from an existing access point to Fellows Road at the eastern end of the site.
The rest of the plan's explanation (3 more paragraphs)
The site is located in an area of deep surface water flood risk, and Southern Water has indicated that there is currently insufficient sewerage capacity to serve the site. It is also located adjacent to a designated Local Wildlife Site and will require its own ecological assessment in terms of future development.
Local sewerage infrastructure in closest proximity has limited capacity to accommodate the proposed development. Proposals for development at this location may therefore generate a need for reinforcement of the wastewater network should more detailed modelling show that additional capacity is needed. Proposals should demonstrate engagement with Southern Water at the earliest possible point to understand reinforcement needs, and any reinforcement must be completed prior to connection. This means that development cannot be occupied until it is demonstrated that reinforcement is fully completed.
The site will be expected to support a varied housing mix, including affordable housing. Given the previous uses of this site there is potential for contamination, which would need to be investigated.
What a planning application here would have to do
- Provide affordable housing requirement in line with Policy SP2
- In all cases retain the woodland area to the north of the site corresponding to approximately 0.85 ha (capacity has been calculated net of this site area)
- Be informed by a Transport Assessment and Travel Plan, following a vision-led approach, and including a provision for ‘monitor and manage’ for transport interventions. The active travel element should include walking and cycling links to ensure local connectivity to Ore Station, including to local community infrastructure, green spaces and public transport provision, taking into account site topography
- Ensure vehicular access to the site meets appropriate highways standards
- Be supported by a Flood Risk Assessment and detailed Drainage Strategy which considers the following:
- The high groundwater table and implementation of a suitable drainage strategy informed by onsite monitoring and soil percolation testing
- The provision of a storage pond in the western part of the site. The drainage strategy should seek to attenuate surface water within the pond before discharging into the culverted Ordinary Watercourse in the southern part of the site.
- Take account of Southern Water's underground infrastructure in the design of the layout of the site. Easements would be required, which may affect the site layout or require diversion, and these should be clear of all proposed buildings and tree planting
- Ensure that any necessary reinforcement of the sewerage system is in place to accommodate the quantum and type of proposed development prior to connection, and that such reinforcement is agreed with Southern Water. This will be secured by condition; h. Assess the ecological and recreational impact of the proposed development on the adjacent Broomgrove Local Wildlife Site. Proposals should seek to avoid or mitigate any identified impact.
What people said in the spring
In the spring 2026 consultation on the draft plan (called Regulation 18), 11 comments were made on this site: 3 objections, 1 in support and 7 other comments.
The issues people raised, as the council's report sums them up:
- Housing density
- Affordable housing
- Woodland and habitat
- Easement and infrastructure
- Access
- CPO process
- Brownfield development
- Archaeology
- Active Design
What the council did in response: Policy HS6 amended.
How to comment
The council hasn't opened the six weeks for comments yet, as far as we can see. When it does, the dates and how to respond will be on our Local Plan page and on the council's own ↗.
Other council papers that mention it
- Appendix 3-2026 Consultation Report Final for Cabinet 26082026 Redacted ↗
Cabinet, Mon 7 Sep 2026
“HS6: Ore Valley (Former Power Station) 1. Housing density, 2.”