STRATEGIC PLANNING JOINT ADVISORY PANEL

Date: 10 March 2004 Item 7

Report by: The Hampshire Director of Environment, Portsmouth City Planning
Officer and Southampton Executive Director of Development and Sustainability

Regional and Sub-Regional Spatial Strategies - Progress Report

Written by: Stuart Roberts, tel 01962 846782 email: [email protected]

Purpose and Summary:

This report outlines the new framework of regional and sub-regional spatial strategies which replace Regional Planning Guidance and Structure Plans under legislation which is expected to become operative in summer this year. The report summarises the progress being made on the preparation of strategies relating to Hampshire.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the progress being made on the preparation of the Regional Spatial Strategy and sub-regional studies affecting Hampshire be noted.

1. Introduction

1.1 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.

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

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

1.3 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 announced that it will amend the Bill to make it a statutory requirement for regional planning bodies to seek advice from county councils on the preparation of regional spatial strategies and for county councils to provide it.

1.4 The Bill is expected to received Royal Assent 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 Adopted Structure Plans (and Local Plans) would remain operative for up to three years until superseded by new plans; so the Hampshire Structure Plan will remain in force until 2006 when the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East is expected to be finalised by the Deputy Prime Minister.

2. Aims and Visions of Corporate and Community Strategies

2.1 This report supports the aims and visions of the three authorities' corporate and community strategies by looking ahead to ensure economic and social well being.

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 2004/5. This would lead to submission of a draft strategy to the Government Office for the South East in Spring 2005. Approval by the Deputy Prime Minister is hoped for in mid-2006. A more detailed timetable is in the appendix.

3.2 For ease of reference, SEERA has now decided to title the RSS for the South East as `The South East Plan'. A programme of 13 workshops are planned by SEERA during April/May to engage stakeholders in the process. These `Spring Debates' will include region-wide events on specific themes and others with a focus on specific sub-regions.

3.3 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);

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

3.4 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. A more detailed timetable is in the appendix. A meeting of the lead Members and lead Officers from the ten sub-regional studies is being held on 15 March 2004.

4. Blackwater Valley

4.1 The Blackwater Valley covers the towns of Aldershot, Camberley, Farnborough, Farnham and Fleet and smaller settlements including Ash, Frimley Green, Blackwater, Sandhurst and Yateley.

4.2 In 2002 the Blackwater Valley Network, a long established grouping of the nine county, unitary and district councils in the area, commissioned the consultants Atkins/Ancer SPA to undertake a study of the Blackwater Valley. The purpose of the study was to inform and influence the

preparation of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and future development plans and strategies including Local Transport Plans and the proposed Local Development Frameworks. The study formulated three scenarios of the future and set out their spatial implications.

4.3 The Blackwater Valley Network is now focussing on SEERA's request that a further study be prepared to help inform the RSS, which will include a review of the above Atkins/Ancer SPA study. A Project Brief for SEERA's study has been agreed by the Network which sets out work to be undertaken in order to help determine whether a sub-regional strategy is appropriate for the Blackwater Valley.

4.4 The Project Brief anticipates a preliminary report being prepared for SEERA by mid-March 2004 followed by a more detailed report in the autumn. The preliminary report will consider the following issues:

(i) The characteristics of the Blackwater Valley study area including how it functions as a sub-region and the functions of the individual towns within it. There will also be an assessment of the economic and transport linkages between the study area and adjoining areas.

(ii) A commentary on whether the Blackwater Valley is a clear sub-region which has a set of core problems or needs which are distinctive and require collaborative action, and what the key factors are which make this sub-region different from the rest of the region.

(iii) Conclusions on what the sub-regional policy would be and what it would do that regional policies cannot. This section will be based on growth scenarios including those suggested by Atkins/Ancer Spa, together with higher growth options. The implications of each option will be considered including their effects on planning and environmental constraints, and transport and other infrastructure considerations.

(iv) Clear advice on whether a sub-regional strategy is required and if so the extent of the area and of the policy coverage.

(v) Technical annexes including a comparison of the findings of the Atkins/Ancer Spa report and the Blackwater Valley Mass Transit Study undertaken during 2002.

5. Western Corridor

5.1 The Western Corridor extends along the Thames Valley from Heathrow Airport to Swindon, and from Didcot in the north to Basingstoke, Fleet and Farnborough in the south.

5.2 There is no existing technical analysis for this area as a whole, so work here is from a standing start. An officer group led by the Berkshire Joint Strategic Planning Unit (BJSPU) has established three sub-groups to commence analysis of, respectively, housing, economy and transport. The housing analysis is being led by BJPSU itself, economy by Surrey County Council and transport by Bucks County Council.

5.3 A brief for the sub-regional study has been agreed between SEERA and the 22 county, unitary and district councils which comprise the Western Corridor. The brief anticipates submission of a preliminary report to SEERA by mid March 2004, with a fuller report by the summer to help influence the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy. These reports will draw together key conclusions and advice on whether a sub-regional strategy may be required and if so the geographical extent of the area.

5.4 A Member-level steering group has been established to oversee the study, which is supported by an officer group led in terms of overall responsibility by the Berkshire authorities Joint Strategic Planning Unit.

5.5 Progress has been made on the preliminary report, which will address the following key issues:

(i) The opportunities for achieving sustainable long term economic growth in the area;

(ii) The broad amounts and sustainable distribution of employment and housing development to meet economic and social needs;

(iii) The key economic and transport linkages within the study area and between adjoining areas, including planned and possible additional growth at Heathrow Airport;

(iv) The need for a higher proportion of affordable housing and the mechanisms for achieving this;

(v) The implications of growth options on the environment and quality of life criteria.

5.6 A Workshop session was due to take place on 8 March as an opportunity for Members to have an input into the Study. A meeting of the Steering Group will take place later in March in order to consider the draft preliminary report to be submitted to SEERA by the end of March. This report will draw together sections on the economy, transport, options for the distribution of housing, the environment and quality of life.

6. Eastern Dorset/South Hampshire/Isle of Wight

6.1 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.

6.2 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 sixteen 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.

6.3 The sub-regional study area is divided into two parts: A core area which is essentially the area covered by the completed South Hampshire Study (paragraph 5.1 above) and 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.

6.4 The Steering Group is chaired by Hampshire County Councillor Keith Estlin. In addition to one Member from each of the fifteen 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).

6.5 The Steering Group is supported by an officer technical group which comprises officers from the same organisations.

6.6 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.

6.7 The technical work on both linkages and development options is well under way. A presentation on its progress was made to the Steering Group in 12 February 2004. The full Study findings are due to be presented to the Steering Group in 28 April, after which they will be forwarded to SEERA.

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.

TITLE

LOCATION

Project Plan for the South East England Regional Spatial Strategy

http://www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/regional_policies/planning/rss/index. html

Autumn 2003- April 2004

Vision/Scenarios

Sub-regional Studies

April - August 2004

Development of Spatial Options

Sub-regional Strategies

August - October 2004

Preparation of Draft Regional Strategy

Proposed Sub-regional Policies

November 2004 - January 2005

Consultation on Draft Proposals

Summer 2005

Submission of Proposals to the Government