Contact: Ken Dudley, ext 6902

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 Rialto Homes plc and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in relation to the making of a financial contribution of £885,000 towards the implementation of the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport.

(ii) That, subject to the completion of this Agreement, there is no objection to the proposal for residential development on land at Down West Yard, Winterthur Way, Basingstoke.

2. Reason

2.1 To secure an appropriate level of financial contribution towards implementation of the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport (BEST).

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 full planning application has been submitted by Rialto Homes plc to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the erection of 484 flats, with associated access and car parking, on land at Down West Yard, Winterthur Way, Basingstoke. The site totals some 2.92 hectares and is located to the north-west of Basingstoke town centre, immediately south of the main railway line (see attached location plan).

7.2 The site is currently disused, but was originally a railway sidings/goods yard and subsequently used predominantly for a range of open storage uses. The site benefits from an Appeal decision in July 1999 which allowed the development of 4,923 square metres of non-food retail units, which would be superseded by the current proposal.

7.3 The Borough Council supports this form of development on the brownfield site and has therefore resolved to grant approval, subject to the conclusion of appropriate legal Agreements.

7.4 The local Member, Councillor Mrs Collins, supports the proposal in principle.

8. Transportation Proposals

8.1 The site is well located in transportation terms, being within close proximity of the railway station, bus station and town centre.

8.2 The site gains access from an extension to the western end of Winterthur Way, which is an unadopted highway. A scheme for the making up of the access road to adoption standard, including provision for pedestrians, cyclists, traffic calming and emergency access, is being agreed with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council under the terms of the Agency Agreement and will be the subject of a Section 38 Agreement for adoption. The estimated cost of these access works is £120,000.

8.3 The provision for car parking, disabled parking and cycle parking accords with the County Council's Car Parking Strategy 2002 and complies with Planning Policy Guidance Note 3.

8.4 The developer has agreed, in negotiation, to make a financial contribution of £885,000 towards the implementation of BEST within the area.

9. Financial Implications

9.1 In the event of planning permission being granted, the applicant has agreed to make a financial contribution of £885,000 towards the implementation of BEST within the area.

7077/KVD