Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Spatial Strategy

15 October 2003

Project Appraisal: Country Towns Initiative
Hythe Promenade

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 2

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

COUNTRY TOWNS INITIATIVE: HYTHE PROMENADE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

JUNE 2004

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2002/03 AND 2003/04

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Sept 03

(at Sept 03

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Construction

449

318

Fees

50

499

318

Less developers/

181

other contributions

318

318

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

268

(b) Other - highways maintenance

50

318

2.

From other resources

(a) New Forest District Council

169

(b) Hythe Parish Council

10

(c) Sponsorship

2

TOTAL

499

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

2

0.002

Capital charges

48

0.052

TOTAL net expenditure

50

0.054

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Hythe is an historic township serving the Waterside and New Forest communities. It has strong ferry links to Southampton and is actively responding to increased retail competition from the city.

The Promenade (see attached location plan) is an under-utilised, waterside adjunct to the town centre and ferry terminal area. It has unrivalled views over Southampton Water and the rich birdlife of the internationally protected wildlife habitats of the estuary. Although it lies within the Hythe centre conservation area, it is badly run down and is a cul-de-sac with poor pedestrian links to the centre. It represents a potential waterside resource which, if developed as a public amenity, could have a major, beneficial impact on the life and economy of the town. It also has a potential contribution to make as part of the `gateway' to Hythe and the New Forest for visitors using the ferry, as well as being a local and tourist amenity.

The opportunity to improve The Promenade as an amenity was identified in the Hythe Village Centre: Action Plan 1999-2002, being Hythe's main, unexploited asset. This action plan was prepared by New Forest District Council and Hythe Parish Council under the guidance of the Civic Trust Regeneration Unit, following extensive local consultation.

3.

IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

This improvement scheme meets the policy aims of the Country Towns Initiative programme approved on 24 June 2003. It also meets the objectives of the New Forest District Local Plan: Hythe Waterfront Supplementary Planning Guidance 1997.

The scheme accords with the South West Hampshire Transport Strategy Local Transport Plan policies. Specifically, it integrates with a package of highway and public transportation proposals for an improved transport interchange at the landward end of the pier, currently being progressed by the County and District Councils. This package includes the future repair and renovation of the pier itself and provides the basis for the longer term aspiration of linking the pier and interchange to the Promenade with a footpath link or bridge. The link would involve private, third party interests and would form a natural extension to this scheme.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The scheme involves the remodelling of the area to include:

(i) A landscaped public open space in the form of a stepped arena, serving as a sitting out area which would also be capable of being used for outdoor events, including the annual Hythe and Waterside Festival.

(ii) A public boardwalk, extending over the existing sea defence wall, together with seating, and giving direct sea views. Ramped access would be from the current Promenade walkway. The northern section of the boardwalk would comprise a platform which could also serve as a stage for public events. The boardwalk would be designed to be capable of extension northwards, if the proposed pedestrian link to the pier is progressed. It might also incorporate historic and wildlife interpretation panels and a pay telescope. The sea defence wall would be retained and the boardwalk itself designed to allow for the possible raising of the sea wall in future, if this proves necessary.

(iii) Landscaped car parking with additional on-street parking bays on the north side of the Promenade access road.

(iv) Traffic calming to reduce vehicle speeds on the vehicular access to the residential and commercial premises fronting onto the Promenade.

(v) Opportunities for works of public art.

(vi) Improved street lighting.

(vii) High quality materials and street furniture.

Detailed plans of the works will be displayed at the meeting. All specifications within the design will be to current Government requirements, Hampshire County Council Standards and Advice Notes, including Hampshire County Council policy documents, and British Standards.

The scheme identifies a provisional item for highway repairs, street lighting and footpath replacement in respect of the Promenade access road south from Admirals Walk to St John's Street. It would also include repositioning the existing footpath south of the Promenade from its heavily screened position within a landscaped area to a safer, more open position adjacent to the carriageway. These works would depend on additional funding being identified within the 2004/05 highways programme and will be the subject of a further report.

Environmental Impact

The combined effect of these works, the use of environmentally sensitive materials, planting and improved street furniture will greatly improve the setting of the conservation area. Speed reduction features in the highways design will slow down vehicles and further enhance the area for pedestrians.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition or transfer is required. The works will be either within the public highway limits or on land owned by New Forest District Council.

Statutory Procedures

Detailed planning approval has been granted by New Forest District Council. Further statutory consents are also required from the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and, following preliminary consultations, these are expected to be granted. Revised traffic regulation orders are required to implement the proposed access and parking arrangements and these will be carried out by the County Council.

Public Consultation

The scheme has benefited from a full programme of public consultation including regular liaison with Hythe Parish Council and the Hythe Centre Action Group, which are fully supportive of the scheme. Discussions have also been held with individual property owners. Public consultation on the detailed scheme included an exhibition in November 2002, followed by a questionnaire survey. Almost 300 persons visited the display and 85 written responses were received. The overall response was very supportive, with an approval rating of 92% for the aims of the scheme and substantial majorities supporting all of its individual features.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Dash, supports the scheme.

Facilities for the Disabled

The scheme has been designed in accordance with current best practice and conforms to current guidelines. Access for the disabled has been reviewed; the number of dedicated parking spaces for disabled drivers will be increased from two to three.

Maintenance Implications

An agreement is being drawn up between Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council to rationalise future adoption and maintenance arrangements between the two authorities to determine an equitable division of responsibilities. The result of this would be a modest increase in the area of highway to be maintained by the Council of approximately 30 square metres.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Improved street lighting and increased social activity arising from the boardwalk and seating will have the likely effect of deterring anti-social behaviour. Street furniture and features will be designed to be robust. Discussions have been held with the local Police regarding the potential problem of skateboarders and special design features will be incorporated to mitigate this risk as far as possible. The licence of The Nelson public house, which fronts onto the Promenade, precludes clients taking drinks into public space.

Sustainability

The scheme will provide the setting for increased use by the community, including staged events, and make a more socially and economically useful contribution to Hythe.

It will improve the conservation area setting and encourage local interest in the historic fabric of the centre. The inclusion of heritage and wildlife interpretation facilities will reinforce local understanding of conservation and sustainability issues.

The scheme will improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and help encourage interest in these sustainable activities.

4.

IMPROVEMENTS - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Alternative traffic regulation arrangements were considered but the proposed scheme represents the most effective and enforceable arrangement.

Other designs and finishes for street furniture and surfaces were considered, however these were not felt to provide the right balance between cost, robustness and local distinctiveness.

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 have 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.

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LOCATION

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