Neighbourhood Studies
Oram's Arbour and St James's Lane
4 Land Use
a Residential
Most of the area is in residential use. It is built on a saddle-back hill that slopes down from the west, steeply to the east and north, and less so to the south. The roads are a mixture of former country lanes (such as Clifton Road) and laid-out streets (West End Terrace) that has given rise to some interesting intersections (Step Terrace, Clifton Road, Clifton Hill), all adding to the picturesque informality that is so characteristic of the area. Although generally "middle class" in tone, cheaper housing is interspersed throughout the area, thus breaking up any dominant uniformity. It is noteworthy that some of the most imposing terraces and houses are closest to the railway, suggesting that those living here in the 1840s were much less concerned about the proximity of the railway than the 1890 Victorians who built very small houses near the railway. Night shunting in the Fulflood goods yards would have contributed to this.
b Special Housing
There are two nurses' homes in the area. The one in St James's Lane, Marlfield, is attractively designed in neo-Georgian style with orange brick dressings and a contrasting darker brick for the plain walls. Another more modern nurses' home at No. 45 Romsey Road had a secluded garden, laid mainly to lawn with a cedar tree, but this has recently become part of the garden of the next door property, the Pagoda House in St James's Lane. Sheltered flats form part of St George's, at the top of Mews Lane.
c Cemeteries
The Roman Catholic Cemetery in Romsey Road is a quiet and secluded place, not visible from the road as its ground is set at a higher level; its gate house is dated 1829. The West Hill Cemetery in St James's Lane also has a gate house and is more open to view, and parts of it are being returned to natural chalk dovvnland, to encourage the conservation of wild plants and insects. This use makes a permanent 'breathing space' in an increasingly built-up environment, and is now more accessible to the public.
Water Works
d Utility
The Water Works in Romsey Road, built after the company was formed in 1850, has a modest Victorian pumping station of later date, with staff cottages and a large concrete cistern built on the soldiers' graveyard immediately above the earlier site. Fortunately, the cistern is not intrusive, being shielded by the high brick wall fronting Romsey Road and by surrounding trees. It seems likely that in the future this site could be used for residential development.
e Amenity Land
The main open space in the area is Oram's Arbour. This mown grassland is a very important recreational area. From it one can enjoy wide views of the city, the horizon being visible even above the Alison Way development. The mature trees along the hospital boundary also help to frame the view out to the east. Some of the houses fronting the Arbour are quite distinguished and their protection is important. The cottages on the southwest corner make a pleasing group with trees. Another area in front of the Police Headquarters contains many fine trees, but this 'park' is dwarfed by the Police building, and is practically inaccessible. It is, however, at least another green space.