Urban design baseline report

18Character areasThe areas in and around the site differconsiderably in their appearance and function.The distinctive characters can be summarisedas follows:AirfieldThe three runways of the former naval air base producea vast, open triangle whose safe functioning demandedclear and legible operational areas with good accessand security. Beyond the triangle support services andfacilities were contained adjacent to the perimeter roadoften within large hangars.Although the buildings in this area are bulky their simplecladding and lack of fenestration gives them a barn likeappearance, limiting their impact in the strategic gap.Their distribution appears random helping to support thegeneral rural character.The current uses of the buildings in this area is generallyunintensive, meaning that car parking and vehicularmovements are limited, maintaining tranquillity in thestrategic gap.Village centreAttractive shopping parade in the centre of Lee-on-the-SolentStubbington and Lee-on-the-Solent village centres formthe focus of community life in each settlement. Bothare mixed use and easily accessible to the surroundingresident community as well as to passing trade. Bothprovide convenience shopping and community facilitiesand services. Lee-on-the-Solent centre has thepotential to become a more vibrant seafront destination.