Doomed plans for Britain’s ‘Venice’ exposed – from self-driving cars to its own amphitheater in £2.8bn development

Concerns are growing that plans to create a Venice of Britain in a £2.3 billion project on the south coast are on the verge of collapse.

In 2017, ambitious proposals were unveiled to create one of “the world’s most beautiful new cities”. England”, with a beautiful canal in the heart.

An artist's impression of what the proposed 'Venice of Great Britain' could look like — An artist’s impression of what the proposed ‘Venice of Great Britain’ might look likeCredit: Solent

Aldred Drummond, pictured, has withdrawn from the day-to-day management of the projectCredit: Solent

The proposed plans for the new city could be on the verge of collapseCredit: Solent

The monumental project promised an ultra-modern city on the water driverless cars1,500 charming housesgrazing donkeys and ponies, a marina and even its own amphitheater.

Some were involved in the designs for the new town of Fawley Waterside King Charles‘ favorite architects, who worked on projects for the monarch and his estates.

The proposed 300-acre site in Fawley is on the waterfront on the edge of Hampshire‘s celebrated New Forest National Park.

The location was previously Fawley Current Station, but the 200-metre-long chimney was blown up in 2021 as part of plans to “transform a rich part of our industrial heritage into a thriving residential and commercial waterfront community”.

Fawley Waterside is the vision of wealthy businessman Aldred Drummond, owner of the neighboring Cadland Estate.

However, now local residents are concerned that Mr Drummond’s ‘masterplan’ was too ‘ambitious’ as he has stepped back from the day-to-day management of the project.

HOUSES NOT YET BUILT

Concerns have also been raised about a lack of progress as houses expected in 2023 have still not been built.

Fawley Waterside – Mr Drummond’s company – said it is launching a “review” of its plans.

In 2017 there was celebration when it was announced that a new town would be built on the south coast, with the promise of modern homes, a school, a hotel, a new nature park and thousands of parks. jobs.

There was even talk of a revolving restaurant 650 feet up in Fawley’s chimney while it still existed.

In one of Britain’s most unspoilt villages, set in a beautiful national park

Fawley Power Station – where scenes come from Han Solo And Mission Impossible 5 were shot – has been demolished to make way for the city.

In 2020 the New Forest National Park Authority and New Forest District Council gave the green light on the condition that legal agreements were signed.

However, four years have passed without a contract being signed. People are also now “nervous” after Mr Drummond announced he is stepping back.

This could be an important and undesirable development if it turns out that the scheme will ultimately be scrapped or drastically scaled back

District Councilor David Harrison

District councilor David Harrison, who represents the area for Hampshire County Council, said: “Aldred Drummond was the main driving force behind the whole project.

‘It was an ambitious project that offered the prospect of new homes, including affordable homes for many people, many employment opportunities – especially in the maritime sector – and a beautifully designed new city with many environmental aspects.

‘This could be an important and undesirable development if it turns out that the scheme will ultimately be scrapped or drastically scaled back.

‘It promised so much in terms of the economic boost, jobs and housing it would deliver – a huge amount of work has gone into it.

‘Hopefully no less ambitious project will be considered.

“I hope this doesn’t mean a reduction in the number of affordable homes as there is a huge need for that in the New Forest Area.”

I just hope that if changes do happen, they maintain the same high quality development as planned

Alan Alvey, Chairman of Fawley Parish Council

Alan Alvey, leader of Fawley Parish Council, said of Mr Drummond’s resignation: “I was surprised and a little nervous and wondered whether this suggested a change to the scheme proposal.”

Cllr Alvey added: “I just hope that if changes do happen, they will maintain the same high quality development as planned.

“I think if the size of it is reduced, I don’t see that as a problem.

“I think it’s the quality of the development, and especially the homes, that was the selling point for me.”

Businessman Drummond – dubbed one of the “leaders of Britain” – has had links with the area since the 1950s, when his family’s country house was demolished to make way for the power station.

As well as being CEO of Fawley Waterside, he is also owner of Cadland Estate.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Fawley Waterside said: “Aldred Drummond has stepped back from the day-to-day management of the site but remains part of a determined group of investors behind the project.

“The team is currently working with its advisors to review the current plans for the scheme and determine the next steps to progress the development of the site, and we look forward to sharing further news in due course.”

Local residents suggested on social media that the plans are too unrealistic.

“There’s simply no room for vanity projects these days,” said one. ‘The days of empire and financial extravagance are long gone.

‘HARD TIMES’

“Tough times have come and the rich are now struggling to get richer, but the poor are still getting poorer.”

One skeptic added: ‘Crippling interest rates and the increase in raw material costs have crammed this plan. They cannot raise the additional resources that are needed.”

Well-known architects Ben Pentreath and Leon Krier were recruited to work on Fawley Waterside.

Mr Pentreath has worked on “several projects” with the Duchy of Cornwallowned by King Charles, while Mr Krier was behind the master plan for Poundbury at King Charles’ request.