Stakes and Wecock Farm

Housing estates and community life on the eastern edge

Stakes and Wecock Farm form the eastern part of the Waterlooville urban area, bounded by the A3(M) motorway to the east and merging into Leigh Park to the south. The area takes its name from medieval land divisions, and the Stakes name appears on several roads, including Stakes Road, Stakes Hill Road and Stakes Hill. Wecock Farm is a large postwar housing estate built in the 1970s and 1980s, with a community centre and local shops.

The housing in Stakes is a mix of styles and ages. The older streets closer to Waterlooville town centre feature interwar and early postwar houses, while the Wecock Farm estate is characterised by the planned layouts and architectural styles of its era. More recent infill development has added smaller clusters of new homes. The area has a mixed socioeconomic profile, with some streets among the more affordable in the borough.

Community facilities in Stakes and Wecock Farm include schools, a community centre, churches and small shops. The Wecock Farm community centre is a focal point for local activities, hosting youth groups, adult education, social events and advice services. The area has an active community spirit that belies its sometimes unflattering reputation.

Access to the A3(M) via the Stakes Hill junction gives residents fast connections to Portsmouth and the A3 northward. Bus services connect the area to Waterlooville town centre and Havant. The proximity of Leigh Park means that Stakes residents also use facilities and services across the borough boundary.