Contact: Steve Jenkins, ext 6907

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That approval be given for the Chief Executive to conclude an appropriate legal Agreement with Linden Homes (Southern) Limited and Hampshire County Council in order to secure a financial contribution of £227,000 towards transportation improvements in the vicinity of the site.

2. Reason

2.1 To secure a financial contribution towards off site transport and traffic management measures which will improve access to the site for pedestrians, cyclists and users of public transport in line with Planning Policy Guidance Note 13 (PPG13) - Transport.

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 of the benefits of the off site highway contribution.

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 An outline planning application has been submitted to Test Valley Borough Council for the erection of 227 new residential dwellings, a 60 bed care home and a new access on the former Borden and AEP site in Rownhams Road, North Baddesley. The site has previously had an industrial use but has now been cleared with all buildings demolished.

7.2 The site is located in the centre of North Baddesley (see attached location plan). It is bounded by properties on Middle Road to the north-east, Firgrove Close to the north-west, Rownhams Road to the south-east and Ennel Copse to the south-west.

7.3 The site is currently accessed at two points from Rownhams Road. The first is opposite Church Close, the second is from a private road known as Thomas Road. Thomas Road is in the ownership of the developer. Both of these accesses are onto Rownhams Road which runs from the south- west to the north-east. To the south-west it forms a priority junction with Rownhams Lane and to the north-east it forms a traffic signal controlled crossroad junction with the A27 Botley Road and Nutburn Road.

7.4 On 13 August 2002 Test Valley Borough Council resolved to grant outline planning permission for the development, subject to the conclusion of appropriate legal agreements.

7.5 The local Member, Councillor Dowden, supports the scheme and welcomes the off site transport contribution.

8 Transport Proposals

8.1 The planning application proposes 315 car parking spaces. This is in accordance with the County Car Parking Standards and the advice in PPG3.

8.2 The site currently gains access from two points on Rownhams Road, firstly from a point opposite Church Close and secondly from Thomas Road. The developer has agreed to improve the existing access opposite Church Close in order to provide the main access to the site. The developer has acquired some additional land in order to provide adequate visibility splays. The new access will serve the main part of the site and tie in with existing footways on Rownhams Road.

8.3 The second access at Thomas Road will be improved in terms of visibility and pedestrian facilities. A new footway will be provided into the site. The Thomas Road access will only serve the care home and 29 residential dwellings, it will not provide a public vehicular link to that part of the site served by the main access, other than for use by emergency vehicles.

8.4 A pedestrian, cycle and emergency access to the site will also be provided from Firgrove Close.

8.5 The redeveloped site will accommodate a pedestrian and cycle route connecting Rownhams Road and Rownhams Lane, including links through Thomas Road and Firgrove Road. This will result in a significant improvement in the ease of movement on foot and cycle in this part of North Baddesley.

8.6 The developer has produced a full Transport Assessment which has received County Council approval. This concluded that the existing highway network in the vicinity of the site is adequate in terms of capacity to serve the redeveloped site. Notwithstanding this the potential for off site transport improvements, which will benefit pedestrians, cyclists and users of public transport, has been identified and this has enabled the County Council to negotiate a financial contribution of £227,000.

8.7 This contribution will be towards off site transport and traffic management improvements aimed at encouraging the use of alternative modes of transport, in accordance with the requirements of PPG13 and County Council policies which seek to reduce the dependency on the car and provide choice for alternative means of travel.

9. Financial Implications

9.1 In the event of planning permission being implemented the applicant has agreed, at no cost to the County Council, to make a financial contribution of £227,000 towards off site transport and traffic management improvements that may benefit the site.

8079/SJJ