SUMMARY OF THE ADOPTED HAMPSHIRE COUNTY STRUCTURE PLAN

Adopted by Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council in February 2000, the Structure Plan sets out the planning strategy up to 2011.

Its vision is for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton to be "a prosperous and attractive area where social and commercial needs are met in ways that, while minimising the need for travel, improve the quality of life and sense of community for present and future generations."

To achieve that vision, the plan prioritises the regeneration of Hampshire's cities and towns, with these being the focus for new homes, shopping, leisure and further education. A Green Belt in south west Hampshire and Strategic Gaps elsewhere will prevent settlements merging. Development needs which cannot be accommodated within existing urban areas will mainly be met in designated Major Development Areas (MDAs). In Hampshire's rural areas and on the undeveloped coast, development will be tightly controlled.

Recognising that a strong economy is essential, the Plan provides for a range of sites for business expansion. It will ensure adequate supplies of minerals. A range of measures encourage more use of environmentally-friendly transport - walking, cycling and use of public transport. Continuing this environmental theme, the Plan places more emphasis on recycling of waste, and seeks to conserve Hampshire's distinctive landscapes, built heritage and wildlife habitats.

Urban Regeneration

The Structure Plan aims to promote urban regeneration by redeveloping derelict and underused land and buildings, encouraging a mix of land uses with development that is appropriate in design and scale with its surroundings, and by assisting the development of key sites. Policies UB1-UB4

Further and Higher Education

The number of students is expected to rise significantly up to 2011. New further and higher educational facilities should be on sites within built-up areas and which are well served by public transport, walking and cycling. New purpose built student accommodation will be permitted in urban areas, provided it is within easy walking or cycling distance of academic facilities or is well served by public transport. Policies ED1-ED3

Town Centres and Shopping

The Structure Plan supports development which will bolster the vitality and viability of Hampshire's 21 town centres. Shopping should remain the main activity there, but new employment, educational, leisure and cultural uses will also be allowed. Where possible, new retail development should be located within town centres or, if the town centre sites are not available, on edge of centre sites. District, local and village centres have an important role in meeting day to day shopping requirements. The boundaries of town, district, local and village centres will be defined in local plans. Policies S1 - S4

Strategic and Local Gaps

The Structure Plan designates Strategic Gaps - undeveloped land between built-up areas - where development will not normally be allowed. The location of the Strategic Gaps is shown on the Structure Plan Key Diagram: their boundaries will be defined in Local Plans. Local Plans may designate Local Gaps between smaller settlements where development will not normally be allowed. Policies G1 - G3

South West Hampshire Green Belt

The Avon Valley south of Ringwood and the coastal area from New Milton to Lymington are designated as Green Belt. The general extent of this South West Hampshire Green Belt is shown on the Key Diagram; detailed boundaries are detailed in Local Plans. The Green Belt aims to check the sprawl of large built up areas, prevent neighbouring settlements from merging and assist in protecting the countryside from encroachment. Policy G4. There is a general assumption against inappropriate development in the Green Belt; full guidance is in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 2 `Green Belts'.

The New Forest

The New Forest Heritage Area contains a variety of natural and semi-natural habitats, and national and international nature conservation designations. Development must respect this special character of the New Forest and will only be permitted in certain circumstances. Policy NF1. The broad extent of the New Forest Heritage Area is shown on the Key Diagram; local plans will define the detailed boundaries.

Major Development Areas (MDAs)

The Structure Plan designates four major Development Areas (MDAs): West of Waterlooville; South-East of Eastleigh; Basingstoke; Andover. Each MDA will comprise a mix of uses including housing, employment, shopping leisure and social facilities so as to create a new community. Policies MDA1 - MDA5

Extensions to three of these MDAs and an MDA at Winchester City (north) from part of the reserve provision for housing.

The Economy

A strong, healthy economy is essential. The Structure Plan provides opportunities for a range of types and sizes of sites to enable existing businesses to grow and allow new firms to establish. It focuses on economic regeneration in Portsmouth and Southampton, but also supports development and redevelopment in other urban areas, and the growth of tourism and rural businesses. Policies EC1 - EC4

Airfields

Further expansion and enhancement of Southampton International Airport, Farnborough airfield, and other airfields including the re-use of Ministry of Defence airfields will be permitted except where there are overriding environmental, safety or transport objections Policy EC5.

Dibden Bay

Port development at Dibden Bay may be permitted provided that the need for the development outweighs its impact on areas of nature conservation importance, on the New Forest or on local communities Policy EC6.

Telecommunications

Telecommunications are increasingly important for local communities and businesses. Further development will be permitted provided that all steps are taken to minimise its environmental impact, especially in sensitive areas Policy TC1.

Transport

The Structure Plan seeks to reduce dependency on the private motor car and promote greater use of other forms of transport, including, walking and cycling. It recognises however, that road transport will remain the prime travel mode. The Structure Plan safeguards land for major transportation schemes including road improvements, park and ride, the South Hampshire Rapid Transit system, cycle networks and new rail stations. A comprehensive transport strategy will be prepared for each local area.. Policies T1 - T23

Housing

The Structure Plan's provision for new housing comprises a `baseline provision' and a `reserve provision'. The latter will only be released for development if required by Regional Planning Guidance and monitoring of housing supply. The figures for each local planning authority area are:

The Structure Plan requires a range of housing densities, types and sizes to meet different needs including those of the elderly, disabled or people who cannot afford market housing. Policies H1 - H12

Recreation, Sport and Tourism

New recreation, sport and tourist facilities are encouraged within urban areas; in the countryside, they will only be permitted where they do not impact on areas of acknowledged importance. Existing recreational and sports land will be protected from development. Adequate recreational and play facilities and open space should be provided in association with housing development. A proposed holiday village would be permitted either in north-east or south-east Hampshire. Recreation will form the primary use in the Blackwater Valley. Policies R1 - R8

Rural Hampshire

The countryside is defined as land outside built-up areas, the extent of which will be identified in local plans. Here, development will be limited to that essential to meet the needs of the rural economy, including agriculture and rural businesses, and should minimise any loss of the best agricultural land. Policies C1 - C3

The Coast

Development will be permitted on the built-up coast provided it is well designed, takes into account views from the land and sea, does not impact on the surrounding area, and incorporates public pedestrian access to the shore where possible. On the undeveloped coast and estuaries development will be more restricted.

Policies C4 - C7

Water

The Structure Plan prohibits development which would lead to a deterioration of ground or surface water quality, or which is in areas at risk of flooding.

Policies E1 and E2

Energy

The location and design of new development should take account of the opportunities to reduce energy consumption and maximise energy efficiency. Development for renewable energy is encouraged, subject to its impact on the landscape and on areas of ecological, cultural, scientific, historical and archaeological significance.

Policies E3 - E5

Landscape

Hampshire has a great variety of landscape types. Eleven Landscape Character Areas have been defined, and are shown on figure 3. The Development proposals should have regard to the characteristics of the countryside, including its scenic quality, sense of remoteness, historic landscape, sense of place and setting of settlements. The impact of development on woodlands, trees and hedgerows, and on the general environment alongside road and rail corridors should be minimised. Policies E6 - E9

Nature Conservation

Development should not harm wildlife habitats of national and international importance, including Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Ramsar Sites or National Nature Reserves, or Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation. In addition there are numerous other wildlife sites which may form part of a wider ecological network or are essential for migration and are therefore protected Policies E10 - E13 There is a separate publication setting out Criteria for designating Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation.

Archaeology

Archaeological sites should be preserved in-situ, or where this isn't possible, they should be excavated and recorded prior to development taking place. Development will not be allowed if it would have an unacceptable impact on Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. Policies A14 and E15.

Built Heritage

Within historic towns and villages, development should be compatible with the character of the area. This is especially important where the re-use of historic buildings and sites promotes the economic regeneration of the area or environmental improvement. As part of the protection of the built heritage local planning authorities should review conservation area boundaries and assess if additional ones should be designated. Policy E18

Winchester

Winchester has many buildings of great historical and architectural merit. Development in or near the city will be controlled to protect its heritage and historic fabric. Policy E19

Minerals and Waste

Minerals and waste development will only be allowed where the need for the development clearly outweighs any adverse impact on the environment or traffic. Where appropriate the site should be restored after use. An adequate supply of minerals will be maintained, from extraction sites which are environmentally acceptable. Mineral deposits will also be safeguarded from other development unless there is an overriding need for it. Production of waste should be minimised, and re-used or recycled where possible. Permission will be granted for facilities for waste processing, providing there is no unacceptable impact on the environment. Waste disposal by landfilling will only be permitted on active or unrestored mineral working sites. Policies MW1 - MW8

Implementation

A programme for the provision of all necessary services and amenities and transport network should be in place before planning permission for new development is granted, especially in the Major Development Areas. Policies IMP1 and IMP2.