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Case Study: New Alresford Town Council

Services: Website Design

Industry: Local Government

Location: New Alresford, Winchester, UK

Design Hampshire - new Alresford Town Council logo - Web Design Case Study

A Modern, Accessible Website for the Local Community

New Alresford Town Council approached Design Hampshire to create a new website that would serve as an accessible, easy-to-use information hub for local residents. The existing website had become difficult to navigate and manage, and the council wanted a modern replacement that met accessibility standards and supported a wide range of content.

The goal was to design a website that made it simple for residents to find local information, view council updates, and access key documents — all while ensuring the site was easy for staff to manage and update internally.

What We Set Out to Do

The project had several clear objectives from the start:

  • Build a website that meets accessibility standards and can be easily used by residents of all ages and abilities, including those with visual impairments or learning difficulties.

  • Create a structured document system so council staff could efficiently upload and organise hundreds of files — from meeting minutes to financial reports.

  • Simplify navigation with clear iconography rather than complex dropdown menus.

  • Integrate a live calendar showing upcoming town council meetings and events.

The aim was to create a modern, functional, and inclusive website that would act as a reliable source of information for the local community.

The Challenge

As with many town councils, New Alresford’s online presence needed to balance two key priorities: accessibility for residents and practicality for staff.

The council manages a large volume of important public documents — policies, reports, financial records, and meeting minutes — which must be easy to find for residents and straightforward for administrators to maintain. Their previous website made this process slow and confusing.

The challenge was to create a system that handled a high volume of documents in an organised, transparent way, while also keeping the user experience simple, clear, and inclusive.

The Work

  • Designing for Accessibility
    We designed the new website with accessibility at its core. This included clear visual contrast, readable text sizes, logical structure, and consistent navigation. The design is uncluttered and intuitive, ensuring all users — including those with visual or cognitive impairments — can move through the site with ease.

  • Custom Document Management System
    To handle the hundreds (and potentially thousands) of files required by the council, we built a custom filing system in the backend of WordPress. This allows staff to upload, categorise, and manage files efficiently, then display them automatically in the correct sections of the website.

    This system ensures that everything from council minutes to financial statements can be uploaded without technical knowledge — saving time and maintaining consistency across pages.

  • Icon-Based Navigation
    Instead of overwhelming users with dropdown menus, we created a set of bespoke icons to guide residents to key areas such as Council Meetings, Grants, Highways, and Local Organisations. This visual approach makes navigation faster and easier for all users.

  • Google Calendar Integration
    We also integrated a live Google Calendar, allowing residents to view upcoming council meetings and community events in real time. This feature gives the community clear visibility into local decision-making and encourages greater participation.
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The Results

  • Fully Accessible Design
    A clean, easy-to-navigate site that meets accessibility standards and works for all residents, regardless of ability.

  • Efficient Document System
    Council staff can now upload and categorise hundreds of documents quickly and consistently.

  • Improved User Experience
    Simple icon-based navigation and clear layout make the site easy to explore.

  • Community Transparency
    The integrated calendar and document system make it easy for residents to stay informed and engaged with local matters.

The Outcome

The new website for New Alresford Town Council brings clarity, structure, and accessibility to the forefront. Residents can now easily find the information they need, whether that’s local news, policy documents, or upcoming meeting dates.

For council staff, the new backend system has transformed how content is managed — saving time and reducing complexity.

The end result is a modern, inclusive, and community-focused website that supports the council’s goal of transparent and accessible communication with local residents.

View The Live Website

292% increase

in users that found the website from a Google search

178% increase

in engaged sessions

67% increase

in page position on Google

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