Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy and Resources Item 14

19 February 2004

Whiteley Local Centre, Yew Tree Drive, Whiteley

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

(Summary of CONFIDENTIAL decision)

1

Summary

1.1

The following decision is sought

i)

Authority be given to the disposal of the remaining commercial development land of Whiteley Local Centre and in particular Site A of 0.29 hectares (0.72 acres) for retail and residential development and Site B of 0.19 hectares (0.47 acres) for a private nursery subject to detailed planning permission being granted for a development based on the approved scheme;

ii)

the Director of Property Business & Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) be authorised to carry out a range of works including the completion of the main access road serving the Local Centre and other landscape improvement and management works on land to be retained in the County Council's ownership to be funded from the capital receipts in (i) above and to settle the detailed terms and conditions of the sale, including such adjustment to the purchase price that may be agreed following minor amendments to the scheme.

iii)

The scheme for the completion of the access road and the provision of central open space be added to the Policy and Resources capital programme at an estimated cost of £200,000 to be funded by an equivalent increase in forecast capital receipts, as a result of the funding arrangement proposed.

2

Reasons

2.1

To secure a suitable mix of uses and quality of development accompanied by a strong capital receipt which will enable the Local Centre to serve its intended wider functions following the development of the Whiteley District Centre as a factory outlet Centre rather than its originally planned role as a conventional District Centre incorporating a wide range of retail, commercial and community facilities.

2.2

This decision supports Aims, 1, 12, 3 and 4 of the Corporate Strategy by:

Aim 1 -

Maximising Life Opportunities -

the nursery element of the development proposal will provide additional pre-School and Early years places for the Whiteley area.

Aim 2 -

Stewardship of the Environment -

the proposed development will continue the a high quality of design of all of the Local Centre and school and the retail element will provide much needed local shopping facilities that have not been provided within the nearby District Centre.

Aim 3 -

Achieving Economic Prosperity -

the development will provide local facilities for local people. The sale of the site will allow for proceeds to be reinvested.

Aim 4 -

Building Strong and Safe Communities -

the proposed development together with the recently completed Community Centre and Primary School provides a focus for a range of community facilities and services to support the local Whiteley Community

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

Other submitted schemes and offers.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or a member or officer consulted

4.1

None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

None

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

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Date of decision:

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Councillor T K Thornber