Archived decisions

Contact: Sarah Applegate, ext 6795

1. Summary

1.1 This report outlines the County Council's response to the Blackwater Valley Sub-Regional Study produced by consultants Atkins and Ancer SPA as required in the revised Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) for the South East. A copy of the Executive Summary is attached to this report. The full study can be viewed on the following website: www.hants.gov.uk/structureplan/blackwatervalley.

1.2 Various stakeholders are currently being consulted on the study, including the nine constituent authorities. The consultation period closed on 18 July 2003.

2. Background

2.1 The Blackwater Valley Network is a formal partnership between Hampshire and Surrey County Councils, Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Unitary Councils, and the districts of Guildford, Hart, Rushmoor, Surrey Heath and Waverley. It was formed in 1996 to work jointly on land use, environmental, transport and economic issues.

2.2 Last year the Network commissioned consultants Atkins and Ancer SPA to undertake a study of the Blackwater Valley. This study was in response to the Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG 9) which identified the Blackwater Valley as a Sub-Region.

2.3 The study sets out three scenarios for future policy direction. These are not mutually exclusive and different scenarios could be applied in different degrees to different parts of the area.

2.4 Scenario 1 equates closely to `do minimum' in that it assumes no major change in planning and transportation policies. This is characterised by continued economic growth and inward investment, planning policies which continue to allow higher levels of growth and market-led development.

2.5 With Scenario 2 the focus is on heavily restraining and preventing further development. It is characterised by very low rates of development of employment land, low rates of housing development, no significant investment in transport infrastructure and strong environmental protection measures.

2.6 Scenario 3, active adaptation to growth and change, is based on major investment in integrated public transport, development of the key wealth generating industries, environmental quality and initiatives to alleviate labour market pressures.

2.7 The Blackwater Valley Network has drawn up a series of five questions designed to steer the consultation response from stakeholders. These are based on the requirements of the RPG, which is set out on page 4 of the attached Executive Summary. Hampshire County Council's response is outlined under these five headings.

(Q1) Does the study satisfactorily address the issues in Regional Planning Guidance?

Response

Although the consultants' report partially addresses the issues outlined in the RPG it actually covers a wider range of issues, such as lack of suitable sites for small firms. However, it does not look in sufficient detail at other key issues such as labour supply and travel patterns between the settlements.

Additionally, the report does not really identify or address those particular characteristics of the area that make it a cohesive sub-region. This is particularly evident in the apparent lack of consideration or review of the extent of the boundary.

One of the key requirements of RPG is to clarify the extent of the Blackwater Valley Sub-Region but the report does not set out any compelling justification for the boundary selected.

Within the Blackwater Valley there are a number of disparate settlements. However, the study does not identify the complex interconnections and relationships between these settlements. Therefore these are not addressed in the resulting three scenarios.

(Q2) What are your views on the various scenarios?

Response

The scenarios are considered to be useful, with both positive and negative elements in each scenario. Scenario 1 is useful in setting out the current circumstances based on continued growth. Conversely, Scenario 2 mirrors what is happening in Thames Valley and the rest of Surrey in that these areas are intensively developed, and development restraint has been pursued to protect environmental quality.

There would be more potential sources of funding for transport improvements and initiatives with Scenario 3. However, there would be a need to ensure infrastructure provision kept pace with development. Scenario 2 would tend to limit funding sources and rely heavily on public sector funding. This could constrain the scope for major changes in the transport infrastructure.

Additionally, Scenario 3 does not adequately address environmental issues, especially in terms of identifying the particular characteristics of the various environmental designations and their context in the wider area. Additional work may be required to review the attributes and boundary of these sites in order to explore their relevance.

The situation described in Scenario 1 has given rise to many of the current problems in the Blackwater Valley, particularly traffic congestion, labour market overheating and housing shortages. Whilst some elements of Scenario 3 may partially address this, it is also important to have a broader economic base and consideration of environmental aspects. Therefore an approach including elements from Scenario 1 and a more modified Scenario 3 would be more appropriate to address the current problems in the Blackwater Valley.

(Q3) How can the scenarios assist in "optimising the future economic growth of the area"?

Response

Scenarios 1 and 3 in the study focus on maximising economic growth rather than optimising it. Especially with the turndown in the information and communications technology sector, it is important to safeguard some sites for more general activities. In this respect there is a need to diversify the economy of the Sub-Region, in particular by promoting sites for small firms and lower value businesses.

Scenario 1 has been based on a growth maximisation strategy. However, Scenario 3 helps to optimise future economic growth by correcting imbalances that have arisen from the current situation outlined in Scenario 1.

(Q4) How can the Blackwater Valley Network use the conclusions of the study to develop the wider vision for and role of the Blackwater Valley, especially having regard to the recent Planning Bill and the need to develop and foster joint working?

Response

The study suggests focusing development on one or two of the main settlements in the Sub-Region, as outlined in the consultants' report. These would form the focus for housing, transport, social and leisure purposes within the Sub-Region.

It is possible to use the report's conclusions to identify a core area in the Sub-Region in which to concentrate economic growth, particularly in high value-added firms. The interaction with the wider area would then be monitored. This would negate the need for a review of the extent of the boundary of the Blackwater Valley Sub-Region.

It is important to use the consultants' conclusions to assist in the preparation of a sub-regional strategy for the Blackwater Valley, which should develop many of the ideas and themes highlighted in the study.

(Q5) What additional information and resources will be needed to take the work forward and develop the wider vision for and role of the Blackwater Valley?

Response

Additional information comprises:

(i) more detailed labour demand and supply projections;

(ii) relationships and interaction between the different settlements;

(iii) a list of public transport initiatives following the Blackwater Valley Mass Transit Study, guided by aims and objectives;

(iv) a review of existing environmental assets, especially strategic gaps; and

(v) an awareness of emerging guidance to meet the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive.

3. Conclusion

3.1 The consultants' report does provide a useful starting point from which to draft a sub-regional strategy for the Blackwater Valley. However, it does not wholly address some fundamental issues highlighted in the RPG and consequently additional work will be necessary prior to the preparation of a sub-regional strategy.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised to endorse the comments in paragraph 2.7 as the County Council's view on the Blackwater Valley Sub-Regional Study.

8088/SA