Contact: Richard Hudson, ext 6900 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That approval be given for the Chief Executive to conclude an appropriate legal agreement with Network Rail in relation to the implementation, at no cost to the County Council, of the approved highway works (as detailed in paragraph 8.3) at an estimated cost of £275,000.

(ii) That the scheme be subject to appropriate public consultation.

(iii) That, subject to the completion of this Agreement, Rushmoor Borough Council be informed that there is no objection to the mixed use development at Farnborough Station, Union Street, Farnborough.

2. Reason

2.1 To ensure proper access to serve the development and that the associated highway works are completed to an adoptable standard.

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 the benefits of the traffic management improvements along Union Street and multi modal interchange improvements. Alternative traffic management schemes have been considered and the preferred scheme layout is being put forward.

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 J K Glen

7. Introduction

7.1 The site encompasses an area of some 3.14 hectares, approximately 500 metres to the north of Farnborough town centre (see attached location plan). It is bounded to the north by the railway station and tracks and to the south, by Union Street.

7.2 An outline planning application has been submitted by Network Rail (formerly Railtrack plc) to Rushmoor Borough Council which is the subject of this report. The site adjoins the station building and is currently used predominantly as surface car parking. The application involves:

(i) development of a new transport interchange;

(ii) car parking for station users, with some 1,150 spaces;

(iii) offices comprising 9,662 square metres with some 161 associated car parking; and

(iv) a residential development covering approximately one hectare, with about 100 flats.

7.3 The Borough Council supports this form of development in this location, and has therefore resolved to grant approval subject to the conclusion of appropriate legal Agreements.

7.4 The local Member, Councillor Mrs Devereux, has raised no objection in principle to the proposals.

8. Transport Proposals

8.1 There are a number of transport related proposals with the scheme as it involves developments to and around the Farnborough rail station. The station functions as a key hub in the transport network in Farnborough and the Blackwater Valley as a whole.

8.2 There are four separate highway accesses to the site from Union Street. Three of these are modifications to existing accesses and there is one new access, namely:

(i) a modified main Farnborough Station access. This would be laid out in a similar manner to the current access as an entry and exit only, but with some kerb changes. The exit has two lanes, one for left turning vehicles leaving the site and the other for right turning traffic. There is a right turn lane along Union Street for traffic to use for turning into the station;

(ii) a new access for the office development car park. This would access the 250 space car park. There is also a right turn lane along Union Street for traffic turning into the site;

(iii) a modified access into a new multi storey station car park for 1,150 spaces. This currently provides an access into the Borough Council car park. There is also a right turn lane along Union Street for traffic turning into the car park; and

(iv) a modified access into the residential development which currently provides an access into the station car park.

8.3 There are a series of traffic management proposals along Union Street between the A325 roundabout and Prospect Road. The main alterations are:

(i) Union Street is widened by about one metre for much of the site frontage. This was necessary to provide right turning lanes;

(ii) right turn lanes and pedestrian refuges in the centre of the road;

(iii) three new mini roundabouts at the junctions with Elmgrove Road, Station Road and Green School Lane;

(iv) a Toucan crossing between the station access and the A325 roundabout;

(v) build-outs and formalised on street parking; and

(vi) revised parking regulations.

8.4 Parking provision for the proposed office development is set at 161, a ration of one space per 60 square metres of B1 office. This ratio is within the range of parking provision identified in the document, Hampshire Parking. The original application had 250 spaces, but was reduced to 161 following discussions.

8.5 Parking provision for the residential proposals is a reserved matter for a further planning application, but it is presumed it will be no more than 1.5 per unit in accordance with Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 which would total 150 spaces assuming there are 100 flats.

8.6 Farnborough rail station will have lifts and disabled facilities provided, which will assist pedestrians crossing between the rail platforms.

8.7 The proposed new station car park will total some 1,150 spaces. This replaces the existing 941 parking spaces, including the Rushmoor Borough operated site, thus achieving an increase of 209 spaces.

8.8 An improved multi modal interchange will be provided in front of the station which is shown on attached Figure 2. This includes better facilities for buses, with three main bus bays for two buses each with covered waiting facilities. There is a taxi rank and dial a ride collection and set down point. Covered cycle parking is also provided in locations to the west and east of the station. The main cycle parking area will be adjacent to the covered walkway between the car park and station and should total more than 300 spaces.

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 implement the highway works as previously identified at a total estimated cost of £275,000.

8366/RH