Contact: Joanne Willis, ext 6903 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That approval be given for the Chief Executive to conclude an appropriate legal Agreement with Lamron Securities Limited and Hampshire County Council and/or any other relevant party in relation to the implementation, at no cost to the County, of the approved highway works at an estimated cost of £200,000 and the securing of a financial contribution of £210,000 towards cycle and pedestrian improvements as identified in the Andover Transport Strategy or successor strategy.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 2 of the Corporate Strategy (Stewardship of the Environment) by improving travel choice.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 The County Council could opt not to enter into a legal agreement. This option has been has been rejected as it would not allow the developer to carry out the highway works and it would deny the Council the benefits of these works and the off site highway contribution.

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 J K Glen

7. Introduction

7.1 A full planning application has been submitted to Test Valley Borough Council for the erection of retail warehouse (5,574 square metres) with garden centre (929 square metres), and erection of a drive-through fast food restaurant (250 square metres) and construction access onto Enham Arch Roundabout.

7.2 It is proposed that 240 parking spaces would be provided within the development. This is in accordance with advice in Planning Policy Guidance Note 13.

7.3 The site would be accessed from a new arm on the adjacent roundabout junction of the A343 with the A3093 and A3057. This junction forms part of the Andover ring road.

7.4 The site is situated approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile to the north of Andover town centre, in an existing commercial area (see attached location plan). The site is bounded by a railway line on an embankment to the north, Enham Arch Retail Park to the east, A3057 Northern Avenue to the south and Artists Way to the west.

7.5 The site is currently undeveloped and the River Anton and a public footpath pass through it. All development would take place on land to the east of the River Anton. The land to the west of the river would be made available as open space.

7.6 Test Valley Borough Council has recently resolved to grant planning permission for the development, subject to the conclusion of appropriate legal agreements.

8. Transport Proposal

8.1 The development is to be accessed from a new fifth arm on the roundabout junction of the A343/A3093/A3057. This access is acceptable in principle to the County Council.

8.2 The site is located some distance from the town centre. The A3057 Northern Avenue separates the site from the town centre and, whilst it is possible to walk between the site from the town centre, the route is of limited width and is both poorly signed and lit. Test Valley Borough Council's cycling strategy proposes Cycleway 32 which links the site to Andover. The developer has agreed to provide the cycleway in full for the length that it crosses the application site.

8.3 In addition to the above physical improvements the developer has agreed to make a £210,000 contribution towards the implementation of pedestrian and cycle infrastructure in the vicinity of the site.

8.4 The applicant has submitted a draft Work Place Travel Plan, this is to be secured by either a planning condition or a legal agreement.

9. Financial Implications

9.1 In the event of the proposal being implemented the applicant has agreed, at no cost to the County Council, to:

(i) carry out the above highway improvements which have been estimated to cost £200,000; and

(ii) make a financial contribution of £210,000 towards the implementation of pedestrian and cycle infrastructure in the vicinity of the site.

10. Local Member's View

10.1 The local Member, Councillor Mrs West, has been informed of the proposals and has no objection.

7/JW