Contact: Chris Walton, ext 6906

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 the Secretary of State for Defence in relation to the making of a financial contribution of £133,200 towards facilities to improve accessibility to and from HMS Daedalus, Gosport by alternative transport means, particularly cycling, within the Newgate Lane/Broom Way corridor.

(ii) That, subject to the completion of this Agreement, Gosport Borough Council be informed that there is no objection to the residential development at HMS Daedalus, Gosport.

2. Reason

2.1 To secure an appropriate level of financial contribution towards a package of measures as previously identified in order to mitigate the impact of the development in the area.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 The County Council could opt not to enter into a legal Agreement. This option has been rejected as it would deny the Council the benefits of the off site highway contribution. A higher or lower level of transport contribution could have been considered; however, the terms outlined in the report have been negotiated and agreed as appropriate by both parties.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.

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 the Secretary of State for Defence to Gosport Borough Council for the erection of 300 dwellings for defence personnel at HMS Daedalus, Gosport (see attached location plan). The development will be phased, with 148 dwellings to be completed by 2004 and 152 dwelling for occupation in 2005/06.

7.2 The site totals some 11.55 hectares and is located on the Gosport peninsula to the south of Stubbington. The surrounding area is predominantly residential in character and is bounded to the south by residential developments, to the north by the airfield and to the west by Albion Road. The site is located 0.75 kilometres from the local shopping area in Lee-on-the-Solent, which offers a range of facilities.

7.3 No details have yet been submitted by the Home Office relating to the possible housing of asylum seekers on the HMS Daedalus site. If part of this particular site is required then the development situation may change.

7.4 Gosport Borough Council supports this form of development on this site and has resolved to grant approval, subject to the conclusion of appropriate legal Agreements.

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

8. Transport Proposals

8.1 Access to the site will be provided from the existing entrance to HMS Daedalus off Broom Way. Two pedestrian accesses onto Manor Way and Broom Way will be widened to allow cycle use.

8.2 The proposed car parking provision for the site is 600 spaces, which equates to an average 2 spaces per dwelling. The applicant has been advised that this is in excess of the recommended Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 3 average maximum standard of 1.5 spaces per dwelling. However, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has stated that it wishes to provide a higher level of parking for its staff. Gosport Borough Council has agreed and resolved to grant planning permission on this basis.

8.3 The developer has produced a full Transport Assessment which has received County Council approval. The majority of traffic movements generated by the development will be between the site and other MoD sites in the town. However, there will be an impact on the already congested Newgate Lane corridor. As a result the developer has agreed to make a financial contribution towards facilities to improve accessibility to and from the site by alternative transport means, particularly cycling, within the Newgate Lane/Broom Way corridor.

8.4 This report seeks approval to enter into a legal Agreement to cover a contribution in relation to phase 1 (148 dwellings) only. A further contribution of a similar scale will be negotiated for phase 2 (152 dwellings) when further details are submitted.

8.5 The contribution will be spent in accordance with the requirements of PPG3, PPG13 and County Council policies which seek to reduce dependency on the car and provide choice for alternative means of travel.

9. Financial Implications

9.1 In the event of planning permission being granted the developer has agreed to make a financial contribution of £133,200 towards a package of measures as previously identified to mitigate the impact of the development on the local area. This is generally in line with the scale of contributions agreed on similar sites in Gosport, such as Royal Clarence Yard and St Georges Barracks.

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