Archived decisions

Contact: Antony Payne, ext 6766

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That progress with the Major Development Areas identified in the Structure Plan be noted and consideration be given to exploring whether to pursue a more proactive approach to bringing forward other major development areas.

(ii) That support be conveyed to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the West of Basingstoke (Manydown) Major Development Area as representing the most appropriate location to meet the strategic development needs of Basingstoke post 2011, and the continuing role of the County Council in bringing forward the land and developing communities for the future.

2. Reason

2.1 The Major Development Areas (MDAs) are important strategic development sites for Hampshire, providing some 20% of the remaining Structure Plan baseline housing allocation to 2011, and it is important that progress towards implementation is monitored. Manydown MDA has been raised as an issue following publication of the Basingstoke and Deane Borough First Deposit Draft Local Plan and it is important that the Council makes its position on its future development clear, in the absence of a Structure Plan Review.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not to reaffirm support for the Manydown MDA and thereby potentially reducing the prospect of the development proceeding.

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 T K Thornber

8120/AP

Contact: Antony Payne, ext 6766

1. Summary

1.1 The current Structure Plan only provides for the period to 2011, and does not cover the period of current Regional Planning Guidance to 2016. Because of the proposed changes to the development plan process contained in the Planning Bill, work on the Structure Plan Review was halted because it was not thought practically possible to achieve a deposit Plan by the date of enactment of the new Planning Act.

1.2 The approved Structure Plan sets a baseline of 80,290 dwellings to be built 1996-2011, 12,000 of which were expected to come forward within four Major Development Areas (MDAs). The MDAs have yet to contribute any dwellings, although current local plans are planning to provide 8,400 houses on three of them - some 20% of the remaining Structure Plan baseline (2003-2011). The remaining planned contribution from MDAs will be delivered from other sources of supply - notably previously developed land.

1.3 All of the MDAs, except South East of Eastleigh, are being progressed. The main hurdles for Andover and West of Waterlooville will be forthcoming public local plan inquiries. Basingstoke is moving towards the commencement of development on the ground, through the North Basingstoke Action Plan, subject to concerns from highways and sewerage authorities being addressed and the Government Office being satisfied in terms of the Greenfield Directive.

1.4 Development to the West of Basingstoke (Manydown) MDA is seen as meeting the development needs of the town post 2011. In September the Borough Council will decide whether to extend the period of the new local plan to 2016 and formally allocate the area as an MDA.

2. Detail

2.1 The Structure Plan identifies four locations as MDAs. This report outlines progress on their implementation. It will be seen that local circumstances have largely dictated how each individual MDA is being taken forward.

Basingstoke MDA (4,000 houses)

2.2 The Borough Council demonstrated in its first deposit local plan that it can deliver its Structure Plan housing requirement by focusing on a major expansion to the north of the town, tied in with regeneration proposals for the adjacent area of Popley. A Certificate of Conformity with the Structure Plan was issued by this Council. This is being taken forward within the North Basingstoke Action Plan. Some of this land already has planning permission and the Borough Council has agreed on the immediate release of other sites in order to raise its overall rate of house completions which are currently very low. This is despite the high level of identified allocations and sites with planning permission, relative to target completions.

2.3 Some specific issues have been raised regarding sewage treatment and impact on highways arising from the expansion proposals, the Borough Council is currently in discussion with the relevant authorities and developers to resolve them. The proposals are also subject to the Greenfield Directive and the Government Office is expected to consider whether there is sufficient justification to release these sites at the present time.

2.4 The draft Regional Housing Strategy (June 2003) identifies Basingstoke as a key strategic growth point for housing investment.

2.5 The first deposit draft local plan for Basingstoke identified Manydown as its preferred location for major development post 2011 (ie beyond the period covered by the current Structure Plan). The Borough Council is currently considering its response to the objections to that Plan, including a request from the Government Office to extend the period of the local plan to 2016. The latest published report on the objections recommends that the Plan be formally extended to 2016 and that Manydown be formally allocated for development (albeit post 2011). The report also seeks approval for a draft development framework for Manydown, for consultation in late 2003.

2.6 The final decision on the revised deposit local plan will be taken by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on 18 September 2003 and it is expected to be published for consultation between November to December 2003.

2.7 Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council are intending to facilitate the development of this major new development area through the provision of infrastructure and facilities for the new community, strong control of the design framework and controlled release of land. At its last meeting the Cabinet approved funding for infrastructure development in the roll forward of the Capital Programme.

Andover MDA (3,000 houses)

2.8 Test Valley Borough Council has identified in its initial deposit Local Plan two large sites in Andover to meet its requirement to provide an MDA for the town - East of Icknield Way and Picket Twenty. The total number of dwellings planned is 2,400 - 600 short of the Structure Plan requirement. The difference will be made up from other smaller sites. The Plan does, however, propose to safeguard land at the MDA for possible development post 2011. A Certificate of Conformity with the Structure Plan was issued by this Council.

2.9 The Plan sets out an extensive package of proposals relating to the implementation of the MDA, including an off site transport strategy. The Borough Council is working with developers on that package and it is likely that applications will be submitted later this year to run in parallel with the local plan process. The earliest start date on either site is 2005/06.

2.10 A second deposit of the Local Plan is due to be published later this year.

2.11 The Draft Regional Housing Strategy (June 2003) identifies Andover as a key strategic growth point for housing investment.

West of Waterlooville MDA (2,000 houses)

2.12 The majority of the West of Waterlooville MDA is within Winchester District, but a small part is within Havant Borough. Winchester City Council and Havant Borough Council are working in partnership to plan for the new community. Havant's revised deposit local plan contains some policies relating to the MDA, but does not envisage much built development within its district. The Havant local plan inquiry ended in May 2003. The Inspector's report is expected in spring 2004.

2.13 The Winchester District Local Plan Review Deposit 2003 includes this proposed MDA. A Public Local Inquiry into the Plan is due to be held in early 2004. It is expected that a masterplan for the MDA will be completed in about six months time, in the meantime consultants have been appointed to undertake a financial appraisal of the development.

2.14 The earliest date for site works to start is 2005/06.

2.15 The Draft Regional Housing Strategy (June 2003) identifies West of Waterlooville as a key strategic growth point for housing investment.

South East of Eastleigh MDA (3,000 houses)

2.16 The recently published Eastleigh Local Plan Second Deposit does not contain a proposal for this MDA. The Borough Council believed it could meet the Structure Plan housing requirement by maximising urban capacity sites and would not therefore have to identify the MDA. However, the new Local Plan fails to deliver the full Structure Plan housing requirement (including the reserve provision) and the County Council has declined to issue a Certificate of Conformity as a result. Housing provision is likely to be a key consideration at the Public Local Inquiry into the Plan (expected next year). There is a possibility that the Inspector could recommend that the MDA offers a better solution to meeting Eastleigh's housing requirements than the route currently pursued by the Borough Council. This MDA may accordingly return to the agenda.

3. Conclusion

3.1 All the MDAs, except South East of Eastleigh, are being progressed. The main hurdles for Andover and West of Waterlooville will be forthcoming public local plan inquiries. Basingstoke is moving towards the commencement of development on the ground, through the North Basingstoke Action Plan, subject to concerns from highways and sewerage authorities being addressed and the Government Office being satisfied in terms of the Greenfield Directive.

3.2 The advent of PPG3 has set out a sequential test for the release of future land for housing and, in the case of Basingstoke, there is no prospect of sufficient previously developed land coming forward to meet the longer term needs of the town. The merits of the MDA approach to meeting development needs were well rehearsed during the Examination in Public of the Structure Plan and development to the West of Basingstoke (Manydown) is seen as meeting those needs of the town post 2011. In September the Borough Council will decide whether to extend the period of the new local plan to 2016 and formally allocate the area as an MDA. It is also likely that a draft development framework for Manydown will be published for consultation in late 2003.

3.3 The County Council has an opportunity to reaffirm its support to the Borough Council that Manydown represents the most appropriate location to accommodate the strategic development needs of the town post 2011.

Recommendations

1. That progress with the Major Development Areas identified in the Structure Plan be noted and consideration be given to exploring whether to pursue a more proactive approach to bringing forward other major development areas.

2. That support be conveyed to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the West of Basingstoke (Manydown) Major Development Area as representing the most appropriate location to meet the strategic development needs of Basingstoke post 2011, and the continuing role of the County Council in bringing forward the land and developing communities for the future.

8120/AP