Hampshire County Council

Executive Member-Environment

11 November 2003

Project Appraisal: Regeneration of Older Urban Areas
- The Square, Hamble - Phase I (Copperhill Terrace)

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 15

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER-ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS - THE SQUARE, HAMBLE - PHASE 1 (COPPERHILL TERRACE)

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 2004

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

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 03

(at 03

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Construction- phase I works

55.0

20.0

Fees

5.5

60.5

20.0

Less developers/other contributions

40.5

for phase I works (Eastleigh Borough Council)

20 0

20.0

Financial provision for scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme*

20.0

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a) Eastleigh Borough Council

£

40.5

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

60.5

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

Nil

Nil

Capital charges

Nil

Nil

TOTAL net expenditure

Nil

Nil

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The Square forms a 'gateway' to the town for visitors. It lies at the top of the High Street and for many coming by car or bus is the point of arrival. The Square is at the heart of the Hamble-le-Rice Conservation Area and is fronted by numerous buildings of townscape merit, many of them Listed Buildings. However, for many years the poor appearance of the public realm has been out of character with the surrounding area and in particular with recent high quality improvements undertaken by the ROUA programme. These previous schemes were implemented in 2000 in partnership with Eastleigh Borough Council and made successful improvements to the High Street and to Rope Walk, both adjoining the Square.

The scheme to improve the Square will enhance the Conservation Area through provision of new stone pavements to complement those used on the High Street, removal of overhead wires, and improving and rationalising the car park and adjacent bus stop area. Pedestrian and cycle circulation will be improved, with a new cycleway incorporated in the scheme and better pedestrian links for those visiting the High Street and local shops.

Phase I of the project, concentrates on the footway in front of Copperhill Terrace, which are Grade 2 listed buildings and which bound the east side of the Square. Using the palette of traditional materials used for the previous ROUA schemes, it will improve the immediate setting of the buildings and will physically link the previous schemes done at the top of the High Street and Rope Walk.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The improvements to the Squares meet the aims of the County Council's ROUA Programme, the Local Transport Plan (cycleway and improved bus facility) and Eastleigh Borough Council's environmental improvement objectives and aspirations to promote and improve the 'Strawberry Trail'.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The proposed phase I scheme will include:

(i) replacing existing kerb with stone to match that used on the High Street;

(ii) replacing bitmac surface on footway with yorkstone flags and replacement of existing concrete channel at back edge of footway with stone;

(iii) rationalising signage and street furniture to reduce clutter;

(iv) placing cables underground or providing ducting to enable this to take place at a later date; and

(v) installing improved dropped kerbs at crossing points.

Environmental Impact

The scheme will make high quality improvements to the streetscape within the Conservation Area. All construction materials will be selected for their quality and long-life, cutting down on replacement costs.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition is required as all work will take place on highway land.

Statutory Procedures

Conservation Area Consent will not be required for the phase I works.

Public Consultation

Eastleigh Borough Council has already carried out initial consultations on the scheme for the Square as a whole and this was approved in principle by the Local Area Committee on 29 November 2001. In addition a joint briefing meeting on the phase I works was carried out with LAC and Parish Council members on the 21 July 2003, at which the principle of commencing the work at the front of Copperhill Terrace was accepted. The Copperhill Terrace scheme was taken to the Bursledon Hamble-le-Rice and Hound Area Committee on 18 September 2003 and approved. The need to prepare a plan of work for the rest of the area was flagged up at the meeting.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor House, attended the joint briefing meeting in July this year and supports the scheme.

Facilities for the Disabled

The overall scheme will improve circulation for pedestrians generally, and in particular for those with disabilities: better routes through The Square and improved crossing points on the High Street and Satchell Lane will make circulation easier; the bus stop area will be redesigned; seating will be provided; designated disabled parking bays will be included in the new parking layout; signage and information will both inform and help visitors orientate and so make best use of what the town has to offer.

Maintenance Implications

No highway maintenance implications for phase I works.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Rationalising the car park layout in The Square and clearing screening vegetation will open up the space to public view and help prevent cars being parked inappropriately. Improvements to lighting will also increase sense of safety and encourage better use of local facilities in the evenings.

Sustainability

The scheme will make a positive contribution by encouraging walking and cycling in the area. It will also, with the improved bus stop area, help to encourage use of public transport. Information will inform visitors and local people of the local footpath and cycleway network and in particular the Strawberry Trail.

The scheme will improve the setting of important Listed Buildings and the Conservation Area generally. In particular phase I will improve the frontage of the listed Copperhill Terrace.

The rationalisation of the Square will provide a space capable of being used for occasional community events.

4.

IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

The first phase concentrates on a length of footway that serves to connect previous areas of ROUA investment and is not considered to impose unnecessary constraints on future phases. Other areas were not considered to offer the same advantages.

Alternative designs and finishes for paving were also considered, however, these were not thought to provide the required level of local distinctiveness or consistency with previous phases.

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 has 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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