Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item 3(ix)

10 June 2004

Development and Procurement Strategy for the North Popley Development

Area and Proposed Replacement John Hunt of Everest Community School,

Basingstoke

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

(Summary of CONFIDENTIAL decision)

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

(1) That approval be given to the procurement strategy and project appraisal for the proposed replacement of the John Hunt of Everest Community School and

(2) That authority be granted to:

(i) to submit a Regulation 3 planning application for the replacement school, to include the construction of the spine road and services

(ii) to commit the funding already identified in the Capital Programme to support the servicing strategy for North Popley with future project appraisal reports and

(iii) for the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) to settle the legal documentation required to secure the issue of planning consent and partnership funding from the developer of the adjoining land and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council towards the cost of the replacement school.

2

Reasons

2.1

To secure a co-ordinated and managed development strategy for the North Popley Development Area, to include the provision of a replacement secondary school. To secure a high quality of design and development to ensure a continuous contribution to the Capital Programme.

2.2

This decision supports the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy:

Aim 1 - Maximising life opportunities by the proposed replacement of the existing John Hunt of Everest Community School as part of the North Popley Development Area. The relocated school will provide modern teaching facilities and enhanced sport and community facilities. Through attractive and suitable learning, social, recreation and circulation areas, pupil attainment will improve and staff and pupil motivation will increase.

Aim 2 - Stewardship of the environment by the proposed redevelopment of the existing John Hunt of Everest School site, and reinvestment of sale proceeds to provide enhanced replacement educational facilities, demonstrates a strategy to make effective and efficient use of our land resources, whilst also increasing the asset value through the replacement school project. The design offer approach for the sale of both the North Popley and existing JHECS sites will ensure a high quality, comprehensive design.

Aim 3 - Achieving economic prosperity - The proposed development will provide a mix of housing types in terms of both tenure and size to meet the demands of the local housing market. The sale of the North Popley and the existing John Hunt of Everest sites will also allow the proceeds to be reinvested to both support the Capital Programme and the cost of the replacement school. In addition, the proposed Neighbourhood Centre and Employment areas located within the North Popley Development Area, together with the construction of the replacement school, and up to 1,350 new homes over several years will create both long and shorter term employment opportunities.

Aim 4 - Building strong and safe communities - The proposed development, given their range of housing types and tenure, together with the provision of the replacement school and Neighbourhood Centre, will allow for balanced communities to develop.

Aim 5 - Improving services by the replacement John Hunt of Everest Community School which will provide much improved teaching, sport and community facilities for all the community to benefit from.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

Disposing of the County Council`s land either unserviced or by undertaking servicing by another financial mechanism. Procuring the proposed replacement school by an alternative mechanism.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member 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