Contact: Stuart Roberts, ext: 6782 e-mail: [email protected]

Kevin Travers, ext: 7763 e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report firstly outlines the new framework of regional and sub-regional spatial strategies that replace Regional Planning Guidance and Structure Plans under legislation which could become operative this summer. It also summarises the progress being made on the preparation of strategies relating to Hampshire. More detailed information is provided in relation to the Eastern Dorset/South Hampshire/Isle of Wight sub-regional study as it covers part of this Panel's geographic area. Secondly, the report describes the progress on the Regional Transport Strategy and other regionally important transport studies and strategies.

2. The Proposed New Development Plan Framework

2.1 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill proposes to replace the current system of Regional Planning Guidance, Structure Plans and Local Plans with a new two-tier system of development plans:

(i) Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) prepared by Regional Assemblies; and

(ii) Local Development Frameworks (LDFs) prepared by Unitary and District Councils.

2.2 Sub-regional strategies might be prepared for selected areas, which would become part of the RSS. The Bill gives Regional Assemblies the discretion to invite local authorities to assist their regional assembly in the preparation of the RSS and any sub-regional strategies. The Government has tabled an amendment to the Bill in the House of Lords to make it a statutory requirement for regional planning bodies to seek advice from County and Unitary Councils on the preparation of RSSs and for such Councils to respond.

2.3 Minerals and Waste Local Plans would be replaced by Minerals and Waste LDFs, but still be prepared by County/Unitary Councils.

2.4 The Government's current intentions are that the Bill should become an Act in March 2004, with the new system likely to come into operation in June or July 2004. Adopted Structure Plans (and Local Plans) would remain operative for up to three years until superseded by new style plans; so the Hampshire Structure Plan will remain in force until 2006 when the RSS for the South East is expected to be finalised by the Deputy Prime Minister. However, the House of Lords has recently voted to amend the Bill such that the proposed regional planning arrangements would only take force where there is an elected assembly in place. Whilst it is highly unlikely that the Government will accept this amendment, it may have the effect of introducing further delays to the Bill before it becomes an Act.

2.5 The RSS will provide part of the guidance framework for the next Local Transport Plan.

3. Progress at Regional Level

3.1 A project plan for the preparation of RSS and sub-regional strategies for South East England has been approved by the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA). (This can be seen at http://www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/regional_policies/planning/rss/index. html.) It proposes a tight timetable for the preparation of the RSS: strategic options on the level and broad distribution of growth should be ready in summer 2004, leading to a draft strategy being available for public consultation during winter 2004/05. This would lead to submission of a draft strategy to the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) in spring 2005. Approval by the Deputy Prime Minister is hoped for in mid-2006. A detailed timetable is attached as an appendix.

3.2 The project plan identifies ten areas across the South East for which sub-regional studies will be undertaken by the local authorities in the areas involved. Three affect Hampshire:

(i) Blackwater Valley;

(ii) Western Corridor (based on the Thames Valley but including Basingstoke town, the northern parts of Hart District and the whole of Rushmoor Borough); and

(iii) Eastern Dorset/South Hampshire/Isle of Wight.

3.3 Each study will analyse the linkages between the study area and adjacent areas and will draw up options for the amount of economic and housing development, and their broad spatial implications. The studies are to be completed by March/April 2004. They will help SEERA to decide whether a sub-regional strategy is needed for the area concerned and, if so, the geographic boundaries of the strategy.

4. Eastern Dorset/South Hampshire/Isle of Wight Sub-Regional Study

4.1 Over the last two years a study has been undertaken of urban South Hampshire, stretching from Hythe and Romsey in the west to Havant in the east, including the cities of Portsmouth and Southampton. Links with a wider area - including Ringwood, Winchester and Petersfield - were studied. It presents facts and forecasts in respect of the economy, transport, housing and the environment, including a range of growth in housing up to 2021. The report has been published for information.

4.2 The sub-regional study being commissioned by SEERA will build on the South Hampshire Study. A brief for the sub-regional study has been agreed between SEERA and the 16 county, unitary and district councils in the area. A Member level steering group has been established to oversee the study. Hampshire County Council is the lead authority for this study.

4.3 The study area is divided into two parts:

(i) a core area which is essentially the area covered by the completed South Hampshire Study (paragraph 4.1 above); and

(ii) a wider area of interaction which includes Poole, Bournemouth, the New Forest, Winchester, Petersfield and the Isle of Wight.

The analysis of housing, economic, home to work and other linkages will relate to the wider area of interaction. The options for development - employment, housing, transport together with their spatial and environmental implications - will relate to the smaller core area. Account will also be taken of the key relationships with the Sussex coast and the impact of growth in South Hampshire on the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and proposed National Parks.

4.4 The Steering Group is chaired by Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Environment. In addition to one Member from each of the 15 other local authorities within the study area, the Steering Group includes a representative from the Hampshire Economic Partnership (representing the economic partners) and one from the South East England Forum for Sustainability (representing the voluntary sector). The Steering Group is supported by an officer technical group which comprises officers from the same organisations.

4.5 It is not a requirement that consultation be undertaken during the study; that will follow at a later stage. However local stakeholders, including the local strategic partnerships, are being kept informed of progress.

4.6 The technical work on both linkages and development options is well under way. A presentation on its progress was made to the Steering Group on 12 February 2004. The full study findings are due to be presented to the Steering Group on 28 April 2004. Members of the Steering Group will then determine the way forward, but SEERA is expecting the findings at the end of April.

5. Regional Transport Strategy

5.1 The draft Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) for the South East was subject to public consultation towards the end of 2002. The County Council's comments on the document were reported to the Executive Member for Environment in April 2003 and subsequently forwarded to SEERA. In July 2003 the County Council was invited to appear at the Public Examination of the draft strategy and following consideration of issues at that meeting the Inspector's Report, which includes proposed modifications to the strategy, was published in November 2003. A revised draft of the RTS, taking into account these proposed revisions, will be published for a further round of limited consultation early in 2004. The final revised version of the strategy will be published later in 2004 and form part of the Regional Planning Guidance for the South East.

5.2 Further information on the content of the RTS and the effect on each Panel's strategies will be given when the Government has produced its final version. The RTS will form part of the guidance framework for the next Local Transport Plan, on which the Panels will also be fully consulted.

6. Multi-Modal Studies

6.1 Previous reports to Panels have provided details on the progress and recommendations of the multi-modal studies that were important to movement on the strategic rail and trunk road routes into and around Hampshire.

6.2 Following the announcement by the Secretary of State for Transport on a number of multi-modal studies on 9 July 2003, the Department for Transport gave local authorities the opportunity to submit an additional supplementary bid for funds as part of the Local Transport Plan process, where these are intended to cover costs of actions specifically invited by the Government.

6.3 Three multi-modal studies addressed in the Secretary of State's announcement had an impact upon Hampshire. The County Council reviewed the announcement and considered that in relation to the recommendations for ORBIT and the Thames Valley Multi-Modal Study, Hampshire's role is primarily to support the initiatives of others and therefore the County Council did not bid for any additional funds. However, with regard to the South Coast Corridor Multi-Modal Study (SoCoMMS), Hampshire has a far more central role to play in delivering the key recommendations of the study as part of Solent Transport and in developing sub-regional initiatives as part of the RTS in partnership with SEERA. The County Council therefore submitted a bid as an integral part of delivery of the transport strategy for South Hampshire for the A27 Southampton to Fareham corridor, which was accepted.

7. A34 Scoping Study

7.1 GOSE and SEERA have recently appointed consultants to undertake a scoping study of the A34 corridor between Southampton and the M40 North of Oxford. This scoping study will determine alternative options for the form of the study (originally envisaged as a tranche 3 Multi-Modal Study), ranging from no further study to a full corridor study, and indicating the complexity of modelling and appraisal work that may be required. Following completion of this work in April 2004, Government will consider how to take forward the strategy for this corridor, which in addition to the A34 also includes the M3 between junction 9 and its junction with the M27. This study will take into account the Route Management Strategy being prepared for the Highways Agency (see later section).

8. Bristol/Bath to South Coast Study

8.1 Although not a multi-modal study, the scope of this study is broadly similar. The overall objective is to examine the strategic transport movements on the north-west to south-east axis for both road and rail links over an area stretching from Southampton and Poole to the M4 junctions 15 to 19 and bounded by the A37 in the west and the A34 in the east.

8.2 The Secretary of State has made the decision to detrunk the A36 and remove it from the `core' national trunk road network. However, the road currently remains part of the Trunk Road network with responsibility for its maintenance and operation resting with the Highways Agency. The Agency is consulting affected highway authorities over the details of the proposed detrunking arrangements, for which a date has not yet been set. The Bristol/Bath to South Coast Study focuses on how the corridor is treated when it is detrunked, rather than re-visiting the case for detrunking.

8.3 The study is being managed by a Steering Group led by the Government Office for the South West. Hampshire County Council is a member of this Steering Group. The study commenced in June 2002 and the consultants' final report was received in February 2004. A key issue considered was the suitability of alternatives to the A36/A46 corridor for both road and rail. The Study has concluded that the A36/A46 is not a `trunk' route, carrying large numbers of longer distance traffic between the regions, but rather functions as an intra-regional route connecting parts of the region as well as meeting local needs. The County Council has been invited by the South West Regional Assembly to submit formal comments on the report by March 2004.

9. Route Management Strategies

9.1 The Route Management Strategy (RMS) process has been developed by the Highways Agency to help it focus on local needs and in considering how roads planning can be integrated with other transport and planning decisions. RMSs are being developed for the whole of the Highways Agency's network across the country, and represent its understanding of the function of each route and the problems and issues along it.

9.2 RMSs are designed to take a strategic approach to the maintenance, operation and improvement of the network, and also involve regional stakeholders and the public in the decision-making process. Each RMS will lead to the adoption of a ten-year strategy and a three-year investment plan for each of the routes comprising the strategic road network.

9.3 The RMSs that have an impact on Hampshire, which the County Council have been involved in, are listed below together with a brief outline of their current status.

10. A30/A35/A31 Exeter to Southampton RMS

10.1 This RMS was completed in October 2002 and includes the section of the A31 in Hampshire from the end of the M27 to the county boundary. The overall strategy is to carry out a planned series of improvement works aimed principally at improving safety, reducing congestion and improving accessibility whilst minimising environmental impacts.

10.2 The strategy recognises the importance of the New Forest and the need to minimise the impact of the road on the Forest. It is also proposed to ask the Regional Assembly to consider a review of the standard of the single carriageway section on the Wimborne/Ferndown by-pass in recognition of the strategic and regional importance of this section, and having regard to access to the Poole/Bournemouth conurbation.

10.3 Following completion of the strategy, further work was undertaken to look at the routeing of heavy goods vehicles along the corridor and the potential for them to be diverted away from environmentally sensitive areas. This work concluded that although there is agreement in principle that the A30/A303 is a more appropriate route for long distance HGVs, based on current road standards it is not possible to identify an overall alternative route that is acceptable in policy terms and practical in terms of time and distance travelled.

11. A34 RMS

11.1 This strategy commenced in winter 2002 and consultation recently concluded in February 2004. The County Council submitted a response, which highlighted the strategic nature of the road within Hampshire as well as the need to consider proposed developments that could affect movements along the corridor.

11.2 The County Council also recently consulted on proposals for minor improvements to junction 9 M3/A34 as part of the Easton Lane Cycle Route, which is part of the National Cycle Network. The Highways Agency has therefore been asked to be mindful of this proposal in drawing up its final strategy. The final strategy will also depend on the conclusion of the A34 Scoping Study identified above.

12. M3(J1-13)/A316 (London-Southampton) RMS

12.1 Work on this RMS commenced in spring 2002 but has been delayed pending the conclusion of the multi-modal studies. It has recently recommenced and is due to be completed later this year. The County Council was invited to submit initial comments and suggestions in advance of the strategy being drawn up.

12.2 These comments highlighted that as well as being a key strategic link between London and the South Coast, the M3 also has a vital role to play as part of the local road network, particularly at its southern end serving cities and towns such as Southampton, Winchester and Eastleigh. In this area there are a number of junctions, spaced closely together, which attract a significant proportion of local traffic. This RMS also needs to fully take into account the implications for traffic movements of Solent Transport together with existing and emerging land use plans for the area.

12.3 The County Council has also been holding regular informal discussions with the Highways Agency on both M3 noise and other matters involving the impact of the motorway on Hampshire's environment. As a consequence the Council is seeking to bring forward the date for resurfacing of the M3 with a low noise surface, particularly between junctions 4 to 4A and 10 to 13 as well as any other seriously affected section.

13. Implications of Studies on Solent

13.1 For many of the Multi-Modal Studies and Route Management Strategies the location of the Solent area means that it is at one end of the corridor being considered. There was therefore a danger that the area could be seen as peripheral to the corridor being investigated. However overall these studies have in fact recognised the importance of the Solent area, particularly in terms of its role both as a major centre of employment and housing and also as a gateway to Europe through the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth. The role of the M27, as an important link in the strategic highway network and as well as an essential element of the transport network for local journeys has been acknowledged.

13.2 The South Coast Corridor Multi-Modal Study addressed the Solent area in detail with a South Hampshire Action Plan being produced, highlighting an overall strategy for the area. This is now being taken forward through the successful bid to the Department for Transport for LTP funding for works on the A27 Southampton to Fareham Corridor. The importance of north south links from this area has also been highlighted in the studies, especially with the potential for significant increases in travel demand if the Dibden Bay proposals are approved. The development of the transport strategy for the Solent Area in the second Local Transport Plan will need to consider carefully the impact of strategic traffic movements in the area, particularly access to the ports. There will be a need to strike a balance between catering for strategic movement whilst also ensuring that this road network meets the more local travel requirements of people living and working in the area. The conclusions of these studies will be an important element feeding into this process.

Recommendation

That this report be used by officers and Members as a background document to the preparation of the next Local Transport Plan.

8581/SR/KT

APPENDIX

SEERA'S CURRENT TIMETABLE FOR THE REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY