Archived decisions

Contact: Les Herbert, tel: 023 9284 1770

1. Summary

1.1 This report informs the Panel of the background to an Urban Design and Landscape Guide for the scheme, sets out its context, describes the actions that have been taken to produce the Guide in consultation with the three local planning authorities involved, and seeks approval for producing the Guide in May/June 2002.

2. Background

2.1 Urban Design and Landscape guidelines were set out in the Environmental Statement, and the planning conditions suggested to the Secretary of State in the request for the Direction as to deemed planning consent made at the same time as the application for Transport and Works Act powers.

2.2 In addition to the above, applications were made for a number of conservation area consents (in Gosport and Portsmouth) and for listed building consent (in Fareham). Accompanying the applications relating to the demolition of three buildings in Gosport town centre, the Promoters submitted design and development briefs, prepared in close consultation with officers of Gosport Borough Council. The Secretary of State has attached these briefs to the consents granted in May 2001.

2.3 In the lead up to the Public Inquiry in February 1999, it was decided to draw together the guidelines set out in the Environmental Statement and elsewhere (for example in various proofs of evidence) and submit these to the Inspector as a `statement of minimum assurance' as to the design quality of the scheme. An undertaking was given to the Inspector that these guidelines, as a minimum, would form part of the contract between the Promoters and the Concessionaire. A copy of the guidelines presented to the Inspector is attached as an appendix.

3. The Way Forward

3.1 Members may be aware that since the end of the Public Inquiry there have been developments in the way in which public/private partnership schemes have been procured. Some of these developments have related to light rail schemes; Croydon, Nottingham and the new phase of Manchester being cases in point.

3.2 The project team has followed these developments and, having consulted with advisers, the Project Board feels it would be prudent to expand and develop the Urban Design and Landscape guidelines. This would have the following advantages:

(i) it would set out more clearly the standards which the Promoters and the three local planning authorities expect; and

(ii) the private sector is likely to deduce that it carries less risk if the guidelines are followed.

Members will appreciate that the document is supplemental to the approvals given for the scheme by the Secretary of State and the agreements which the promoters have entered into with third parties. The deemed planning consent and the conservation area and listed building consents contain conditions which will of course be binding on the Concessionaire.

3.3 A balance has to be struck between allowing the private sector to use its design skills whilst at the same time specifying a high quality finished product for the communities of Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth. The specification must not be so prescriptive as to reduce opportunities for innovation by the Concessionaire.

3.4 Consultations have taken place in the last two months with officers of the three local planning authorities. Early this month the project team engaged the landscape section of Portsmouth City Council to continue the consultation process and to produce an Urban Design and Landscape Guide which will form part of the contractual arrangements with the Concessionaire. The document will include reference to design features which complement and enhance recent schemes in the central areas of Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth, and on either side of the harbour, as part of the `Millennium' scheme. It will set out how proposals should reflect the standards and approach of the Local Authorities in order to reflect a sense of place consistent with the system having a design `style' of its own. The landscape planning group of the County Planning Department will be consulted to ensure that the Guide complies with the County Council's environmental policy.

3.5 This document will be available for the consortia selected to bid for the South Hampshire Rapid Transit concession.

Recommendation

That the Panel notes the background to the development of an Urban Design and Landscape Guide for the scheme, endorses the actions taken thus far to progress the matter and authorises the Project Procurement Board to approve the Guide for inclusion within the contract documents in consultation with officers of the three local planning authorities.

6959/LH