Alton (including Holybourne) Alton is the largest settlement in the Local Plan Area. The built-up area is contiguous with that of Holybourne, which relies on Alton for a lot of its local services and facilities. Holybourne also falls within the designated area of the Alton Neighbourhood Plan. As such, Alton and Holybourne have been considered together for the planning of future development within this Draft Local Plan. Population and household statistics that are available from the 2021 Census provide the following overview of the existing community:
Alton has direct connections to the A31, which acts as a southern bypass, running from Guildford to Winchester; and it is connected to Basingstoke in the north by the A339. There is a twice-hourly direct train service to London Waterloo, with Alton being at the end of the line. It is a historic and characterful market town, with four Conservation Areas, one associated with the historic core and the others associated with Anstey, The Butts and Holybourne. Alton is set within a distinctive chalk landscape setting, at the source of the River Wey, which also runs throughout the town centre. It sits relatively hidden in a hollow, which is encircled by sloping downland that provides a green skyline. Immediately to the southwest is the northern edge of the South Downs National Park. There are numerous areas of open space, including Anstey Park in the east; Greenfields to the north; The Butts Green to the west; Windmill Hill to the south; as well as King’s Pond and Alton Flood Meadows located more centrally.
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