Contact: Laura McCulloch, ext 6901

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That approval be given for the Chief Executive to conclude an appropriate legal Agreement with Fairview New Homes (Gosport) Limited in relation to the making of a financial contribution of £150,000 towards the improvement of cycleway and/or public transport along the A32 corridor, including the Light Rapid Transit system, or other transportation measures which may reasonably benefit the site.

(ii) That, subject to the completion of this Agreement, Gosport Borough Council be informed that there is no objection to the mixed use development at St George Barracks South, Gosport.

2. Reason

2.1 To secure an appropriate level of financial contribution towards transport improvements in the area.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected - Not applicable.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - Not applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Introduction

7.1 A planning application has been submitted by Fairview New Homes (Gosport) Limited to Gosport Borough Council for a mixed use development at St George Barracks South, Gosport. The site totals 3.5 hectares and is located immediately to the north-west of Gosport town centre and within 600 metres of the Gosport/Portsmouth passenger ferry terminal (see attached location plan).

7.2 The site is currently vacant and contains former barracks accommodation, a parade ground and other ancillary buildings. There are a number of buildings within the site, four of which are Grade II listed. The whole of the site falls within the St George Barracks South Conservation Area.

7.3 The application is for the development of the site for mixed use, comprising:

(i) conversion of the existing Grade II listed Barrack Block to provide 44 two and three bed dwellings;

(ii) conversion of the existing Grade II listed Old Hospital to provide 11 one and two bed dwellings;

(iii) conversion of the existing Grade II listed Gymnasium for 657 square metres of office and 144 square metres of leisure use;

(iv) conversion of the existing Grade II listed Sergeants Mess for 2,168 square metres of office use;

(v) refurbishment of the existing Chapel to provide 572 square metres for community use;

(vi) erection of five three-storey buildings to provide 90 one and two bed flats;

(vii) erection of two five-storey buildings to provide 32 one and two bed flats to be constructed as affordable housing, with a linked ground floor to be used as offices for Gosport Voluntary Action and the Citizens Advice Bureau;

(viii) erection of a three-storey and two two-storey buildings for office use; and

(ix) provision of 296 parking spaces; this equates to approximately 1.5 spaces per unit and is therefore in accordance with Government Policy and Planning Policy Guidance Note 3.

7.4 The County Council and the Borough Council support this form of development in this location and have resolved to grant approval, subject to the conclusion of appropriate legal Agreements.

7.5 The local Member, Councillor Geddes, raises no objection in principle to the proposals.

8. Transport Proposals

8.1 The approved development brief for this site identifies access being provided from the A32 Mumby Road, Clarence Road and Ordnance Road.

8.2 Gosport Borough Council's Cycling Strategy identifies Mumby Road as a cycle route that links to a cycle path which runs along the disused railway line from Spring Garden Lane.

8.3 The pedestrian routes will be to the east of the site, serving the town centre and the ferry. Also, with the completion of the Royal Clarence Yard development to the north of the site, a link across Mumby Road will be established. These links will be served by the combined cycle and pedestrian access points on to Mumby Road, Clarence Road and Ordnance Road, which are separate to the vehicular access points.

8.4 In accordance with current planning guidance the development framework seeks to minimise the overall requirement for car parking areas, provide covered cycle parking facilities and encourage access to the site by other transport modes.

8.5 The developer has agreed to make a financial contribution towards the improvement of cycleway and/or public transport along the A32 corridor, including the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system or other transportation measures which may reasonably benefit the site.

9. Financial Implications

9.1 In the event of planning permission being implemented, the developer has agreed to make a financial contribution of £150,000 towards the improvement of cycleway and/or public transport along the A32 corridor, including the LRT system, or other transportation measures which may reasonably benefit the site.

6766/LJM