Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

12 February 2003

Project Appraisal: Regeneration of Older Urban Areas -
Glebe Gardens, Basingstoke - Phase II

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 5

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS - GLEBE GARDENS, BASINGSTOKE - PHASE II

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MAY 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

DECEMBER 2003

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2002/03

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Dec 02

(at Dec 02

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Construction

40

100.00

Fees

Nil

40

100.00

Less developers/

15

+ 35.57

other contributions

25

135.57

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)*

100.00

(b) Other

100.00

2.

From other resources

(a) Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (subject to formal approval)

35.57

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

135.57

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

Nil

Nil

Capital charges

Nil

Nil

TOTAL net expenditure

Nil

Nil

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Glebe Gardens and its setting play a strategic role within the Old Town Centre Conservation Area. Three significant listed buildings - Chute House (the old rectory), St Michael's Church and Church Cottage - lie close at hand and define historic quarters of considerable merit.

Glebe Gardens is one of the town's 'premier' parks. It provides an important facility for informal recreation close to the town centre and the setting to busy pedestrian routes to the town from residential areas to the west. It is a point of arrival for many visiting 'The Anvil' by car. It also serves extensive residential areas to the south and west.

Environmental enhancement to the River Loddon was funded by the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) programme in partnership with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in 1999. Work is currently under way on a scheme of improvements in St Michael's churchyard which is being funded from the 1999/01 programme.

The quality of the entrances to the park from Church Street, Church Square, adjacent Church Cottage and the Victory roundabout are ill-defined, unwelcoming and inappropriate for this historic park. The County Council's Urban Parks Study (1996) established the site as a park of 'Local Heritage Merit'.

The Hampshire Gardens Trust has undertaken historic research and supports the project.

The Borough Council is about to let Chute House to a new tenant. This is an excellent opportunity to achieve an appropriate reconstruction of the adjacent park entrance and setting to this building. The work will include meeting current standards on access.

The proposals for the Gardens have been developed within the context of a master plan, showing comprehensive and long-term proposals. In addition, a suggestion from the local heritage society has been taken up to include artwork within the park commemorating the life and work of local poet Thomas Warton.

3.

IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

The improvements for the park meet the policy aims of the County Council's ROUA programme, Local Transport Plan (cycleways), and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Park Strategy.

Details of scheme and design standards

The proposed Phase II scheme will include:

(i) improving the entrance from the Victory roundabout and reducing the impact of the busy neighbouring roads;

(ii) improving the Church Square entrance adjacent to the subway under Timberlake Road; and

(iii) restoring and improving the modern footbridge over the Loddon in the centre of the park and the open space immediately around it.

Detailed plans of the first phase works and phasing plan will be displayed at the meeting (currently being prepared). The scheme has been designed in accordance with current good practice, including:

(i) BS 8300 `Design of Buildings and Their Approaches to Meet the Needs of Disabled People'; and

(ii) `Access Audits' published by the Centre for Accessible Environments.

Subsequent phases will be subject to separate Project Appraisals. The work will include:

(i) providing an improved entrance to the park adjacent to St Michael's Church;

(ii) restoring stone and iron work to the historic bridge across the River Loddon; and

(iii) working with external arts organisations to commission and install artwork to commemorate local poet Thomas Warton.

Environmental impact

The scheme will make high quality improvements to this important urban park with significant benefit to the local environment. Earlier improvements to the nature conservation value of the park with the introduction of waterside planting will be developed further. The scheme will make extensive use of native plants and introduce new management regimes for grass areas. All construction materials will be selected for their quality and long life, cutting down on replacement costs.

Land requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be within area of land owned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Statutory procedures

Conservation Area Consent will be required.

Public Consultation

The overall master plan and strategy for the park is the result of extensive public consultation undertaken by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Local residents, the Basingstoke Heritage Society, Hampshire Gardens Trust and the Town Centre Manager will be consulted on detailed aspects as appropriate. It is also hoped to involve local children in the scheme.

Local Member's view

Councillor Gurden has given his full support to the scheme.

Facilities for the disabled

Care is being given to make small changes as part of the work to improve disabled access. New paving and the design and position of furniture and signage will make access to the gardens and the facilities easier for all.

Maintenance implications

The gardens are owned and maintained by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. After an initial establishment period of three years for the landscape works, responsibility for implementation of an agreed management plan will revert to the Borough Council.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Improvements at the entrances, together with some clearance of overgrown vegetation within the park, will open up the park to view and improve perceived safety. Better signage and more generous entrances will create well-defined routes through the park. Use of existing unofficial shortcuts will be discouraged.

Sustainability

The scheme will improve the appearance and safety of pedestrian areas and will help to encourage walking and cycling.

It will improve the setting of the three important listed buildings and encourage local interest in the historic fabric of the town centre.

The artwork and information on Thomas Warton will add interest and value to the park for visitors and, in particular, be designed as a learning resource for local educational establishments.

The overall design of the improvements will seek to provide better scope for use for community events and activities.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Other areas of work within the park were considered but were not thought to address the priority issue of the entrances or the protection of existing assets. Alternative designs and finishes for paving and site furniture were also considered, however, these were not thought to provide the required level of local distinctiveness or robustness.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

None