Date: 8 February 2002 Item 2 Report by: The Portsmouth City Planning Officer, Hampshire County Planning
Officer, and Southampton Head of Planning Policy Written by: Cliff Piper, tel: (023) 9283 4322 Purpose and Summary: The purpose of this report is to update the Panel on progress on the South Hampshire Study, and to seek approval to the proposed approach for Part 2 which will outline possible development options. Work on Part 1, the technical aspects of the Study, is almost complete but at the time of writing key employment and housing data is outstanding. This part of the Study will be circulated shortly after the meeting. The Panel will also be asked to agree the approach being taken by the Officers' Steering Group on the development options. RECOMMENDATION: That: 1) this report be noted; and 2) the Strategic Planning Joint Advisory Panel agrees the proposed approach for Part 2 for dealing with the transport and development options.
1. Background 1.1 In October 2000 Members agreed to the principle of preparing a sub-regional study for South Hampshire. In February 2001 Members approved a draft brief for the Study and for it to be undertaken in two parts; Part 1, the technical work and Part 2, the development options. 1.2 The purpose of the Study is to address the economic, transport and land use needs of South Hampshire, and to inform the next review of the County Structure Plan and the issues raised in the Regional Planning Guidance which designated South Hampshire as a Priority Area for Economic Regeneration. 2. Part 1: Technical Work 2.1 The technical work is almost complete. However, some of the key data, particularly on household and labour market forecasts and the completion of the urban capacity studies, are still outstanding at the time of writing but should be available in time for the meeting. A presentation on some of the conclusions and key findings of the technical work will be made to the Panel. The technical work will be circulated to Members and to the district councils by the end of February. This will allow Members the opportunity to consider this part of the Study prior to debating it at the next meeting. 3. Part 2: Development and Transport Options 3.1 The intention of Part 2 of the Study is to put forward options to meet the transport and development needs of South Hampshire. These will need to be evaluated in the light of the key findings of the technical work and reflect current and regional (SEERA) Government policies, notably sustainability objectives. 3.2 The proposed options are not exclusive, and Members may wish to suggest others. All options will include maximising urban capacity and the regeneration/urban renaissance of the two cities and other urban areas which will be quantified in the technical work. The options are: (i) Current planning strategy - to concentrate development in major extensions to existing urban areas. (ii) Public transport corridors - to concentrate development along existing and new public transport routes/interchanges. (iii) Focus on the two cities - to concentrate development close to Southampton and Portsmouth, with transport investment to be focused on links to the two cities.
3.3 The options will be explained as part of the presentation on the Study as a basis for debate. | 
