Contact: Ian Eyres, ext 6902 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 associated with an outline planning permission for the erection of 432 dwellings and 638 square metres of B1 (Business) floor space and associated development (Ref: 39705/000) with Eastleigh Borough Council, the Hillier family and/or any other relevant party in relation to the implementation, at no cost to the County Council, of the approved highway works at an estimated cost of £0.40 million and the securing of a financial contribution of £1.1 million towards the Solent Transport Strategy.

(ii) That approval be given to undertake works on behalf of the Highways Agency and for the Chief Executive to conclude an appropriate legal Agreement with the Highways Agency to undertake the improvements to the west bound off-slip of Junction 5, M27.

(iii) That approval be given for the Chief Executive to conclude an appropriate legal Agreement to achieve the dedication of land when required for the construction of the Chickenhall Lane Link Road, at no cost to the County Council.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 2 of the Corporate Strategy (Stewardship of the Environment) by improving travel choice, Aim 4 (Building Strong and Safe Communities) by maintaining a safe road network and reducing accident levels, and Aim 5 (Improving Services) by improving bus infrastructure.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 The County Council could opt not to enter a legal Agreement with Eastleigh Borough Council, the Hillier family or the Highways Agency. These options have been rejected as it would deprive the County Council of financial contributions and highway works which assist in meeting the Corporate Strategy Aims. A higher or lower level of transport contribution could have been considered, however the terms outlined in the report have been negotiated and agreed by all parties.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member 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 K B Estlin

7. Introduction

7.1 The planning application (Ref: 39705/000) consists of 432 dwellings and 638 square metres of Business (B1) use on the southern boundary of Eastleigh (see attached location plan).

7.2 To the east is A335 Southampton Road/Wide Lane and the London/ Waterloo railway line. To the west is Stoneham Lane and to the south is Junction 5, M27. Eastleigh town centre is approximately 1.3 kilometres to the north of the site.

7.3 The planning application was submitted by Eastleigh Borough Council. The site is partly owned by Eastleigh Borough Council and partly by the Hillier family.

7.4 Eastleigh Borough Council has resolved to grant planning permission subject to conditions and legal agreements.

8. Transport Proposals

8.1 The Transport Assessment, forming part of the planning application, provides an analysis of the impact of the development on the highway network. It predicts that, during the peak hours, the traffic generated by the proposal will use South Street to access A335 and Junction 5, M27 and Cheriton Road and Arnold Road to access Chestnut Avenue. Analysis of the surrounding junctions indicates a need to carry out a package of improvements to the junctions of South Street and Chestnut Avenue with A335 and Junction 5, M27. Other improvements are identified to enhance pedestrian and cyclist movement. The contents of the Transport Assessment are agreed.

8.2 The package consists of the works necessary to provide access to the site, which will be undertaken through a Section 278 Agreement and a financial contribution to undertake off-site highway works, improvements to bus stop infrastructure, cycleway provision and works associated with a site travel plan.

8.3 The access works include new junctions with Cheriton Road, Arnold Road and South Street. South Street is a private street, that is a public highway which is maintained by the frontagers. South Street is indicated as a major access to the development in the Transport Assessment. It will be necessary for the developer to enter into an appropriate legal Agreement to enable the making up of South Street to a suitable standard for adoption through the Private Street Works Code of the Highways Act 1980. Pedestrian and cyclist access will also be provided from Monks Way creating `safe routes' to the schools to the north of the site.

8.4 Financial contributions are sought towards the improvement of the junctions of Chestnut Avenue and York Road with Southampton Road, to improve pedestrian safety and towards cycleway infrastructure. The cycleways will link the site with Eastleigh town centre and schools to the north, and Southampton and Parkway Railway Station to the south.

8.5 The Highways Agency has required the developers to fund the widening of the west bound off-slip of Junction 5, M27, part of the trunk road network, from two lanes to three lanes. Associated with this the Wide Lane junction with Junction 5, M27, a county road, will also be widened from a two lane to a three lane approach. These works can be undertaken within the existing highway.

8.6 The proposed Chickenhall Lane Link Road crosses part of the application site and adjacent land owned by Eastleigh Borough Council. The landowners have indicated a willingness to dedicate appropriate land, if required in the future, for this proposal.

9. Financial Implications

9.1 In the event of the planning permission being implemented, the applicants have agreed to undertake or meet the costs of the access works of about £0.4 million and make a financial contribution of about £1.1 million to the Solent Transport Strategy, to secure infrastructure to encourage alternative modes of transport and road improvements.

10. Local Member's Views

10.1 The local Member, Councillor Luffman, has been consulted.

8774/ILE