Contact: Tony Munford, ext 6722 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That approval be given for the two year provisional programme amounting to £160,000 for the Hampshire Villages Initiative for 2004/05 and 2005/06, as follows:

2004/05-2005/06 Expenditure

Horndean £50,000

Hurstbourne Tarrant £10,000

Rowlands Castle £3,250

Headley £6,500

Wherwell £3,000

Kimpton £5,000

Little London £15,000

Easton £3,000

Steep £3,000

Ashford Hill £15,000

South Warnborough £3,000

Other schemes to be identified £43,250

Total £160,000

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy:

(i) Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) by implementing environmental improvement schemes which enhance the distinctiveness and quality of Hampshire's villages and ensuring Hampshire remains a place where people want to live; and

(ii) Aim 4 (Building Strong and Safe Communities) by creating opportunities for village communities to address local environmental and traffic safety issues through partnership working, and enabling them to gain a better understanding of the local sense of place.

2.2 In order to implement the Hampshire Villages Initiative programme which currently has an annual budget provision of £80,000.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Some suggested schemes have been considered in consultation with District Councils and others, having regard to their content and scale, but rejected in order to maintain a balance between competing interests and compliance with the approved objectives of the programme.

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 This report identifies a two year provisional programme for the Hampshire Villages Initiative (HVI).

8. Aims and Objectives of the Programme

8.1 The HVI will tie in with local aspiration expressed in Village Design Statements and other Government Initiatives and can be expected to provide an opportunity to implement priorities for improvements that might be identified in the emerging community strategies. Essentially the HVI will seek to add value by working in partnership with those communities where projects are already proposed and which would benefit by having additional funds to ensure that the quality of work reflects the unique sense of place of Hampshire's villages. This would not necessarily preclude the implementation of individual projects identified on their own merits, although in such circumstances additional external resources will need to be sought.

8.2 The HVI's objectives and selection criteria were approved on 7 April 2004 (see Appendix 1). The recommended schemes have been appraised against these objectives and the extent to which they support the County Council's strategic aims and initiatives.

9. Proposed Programme for 2004/06

9.1 The process for nominations involves:

(i) lengthy lead-in times to identify opportunities within the existing and proposed highway improvement programme; and

(ii) the need to engage and consult parish and district councils and local communities that have already identified the need for environmental improvements.

It is therefore considered that a two year programme approved annually is the most effective and efficient way of delivering partnership projects.

9.2 A wide ranging consultation exercise (see Appendix 2) was undertaken to obtain suggestions for schemes to be included in the programme. Those schemes recommended for inclusion are set out in section 10. Those schemes which it is felt do not meet the criteria of the initiative and consequently have not been recommended for inclusion within the programme are set out in section 11.

10. Schemes Recommended for Inclusion within the Programme

Horndean

10.1 Improvements and approach to village centre along the Portsmouth Road, identified as an area requiring improvement in the Horndean Parish Village Design Statement. A financial commitment of £6,000 to the project has been made by East Hampshire District Council, which it is anticipated will include new paving, signs, street furniture and a rationalisation of existing parking and access arrangements. Proposed contribution: £50,000.

Hurstbourne Tarrant

10.2 The Safer Routes to School Project is soon to undertake work in Hurstbourne Tarrant following consultations with the Parish Council. A contribution by the HVI will enable the realignment of the junction between Church Street and the A343 and the use of better quality surface materials in keeping with the character of the village. Proposed contribution: £10,000.

Rowlands Castle

10.3 A few years ago some heritage style lamp columns were erected in the village. The Parish Council is keen to erect a further seven columns around The Green to replace the existing street lights. The Village Design Statement emphasised the special character of The Green which would be enhanced by light columns of a more traditional design. The Street Lighting Section is prepared to undertake the work of replacement but cannot meet the cost of the heritage columns. The Parish Council intends to contribute 50% towards the cost of this project. Proposed contribution: £3,250.

Headley

10.4 The Parish Council wishes to improve the signs at the entrance and within the village. This would provide the opportunity of providing distinctive signs within an appropriate setting to both Headley and the adjoining village of Arford. Proposed contribution: £6,500.

Wherwell

10.5 Parked cars are forcing other drivers onto the grassed area of the War Memorial in Wherwell damaging the grass and the posts and chain which surround the memorial. The Parish Council wishes to reduce the width of the carriageway to discourage parking, reduce damage and enhance the appearance of this focal point within the village. The scheme would be undertaken in liaison with the Chief Engineer (West). Proposed contribution: £3,000.

Kimpton

10.6 The Parish Council wishes to provide a small appropriately surfaced area on The Green to prevent damage which is occurring at the moment and to treat the edge which is becoming eroded. Proposed contribution: £5,000.

Little London

10.7 The narrow carriageway of Silchester Road as it crosses a tributary of the River Loddon within the village has prevented the construction of a footpath on this particular stretch of road which also bends sharply at this point. The HVI would assist with the construction of a sympathetically designed wooden pedestrian footbridge to be located adjacent to the existing road bridge. The Parish Council is supportive of the project. Proposed contribution: £15,000.

Easton

10.8 The Traffic Management Group is considering proposals for improving the junction between Easton Lane and Chapel Lane in the centre of the village. Partnership working with the HVI will enable a higher specification of materials, more in keeping with the character of the village, than would otherwise be the case. Proposed contribution: £3,000.

Steep

10.9 The Traffic Management Group is considering proposals for a new footpath, gateway treatments and signing in Steep. Partnership with the HVI would assist in providing traditional signs where required and a higher specification of materials. Proposed contribution: £3,000.

Ashford Hill

10.10 A long standing commitment to provide traffic calming and enhance pedestrian facilities in the village, includes constructing a footway and wooden bridge to connect the Post Office/pub with the rest of the village. The footbridge would be across a tributary of the river Enborne adjacent to the narrow B3051. The land on which the bridge would be built is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which was dedicated to the public highway in the 1960s. English Nature supports the proposal and is prepared to allow the construction of a wooden bridge together with access. The scheme would be a partnership between the HVI, English Nature and the Traffic Management Group. Proposed contribution: £15,000.

South Warnborough

10.11 Following major traffic calming to reduce speeds through the centre of the village (B3349) and an extension of the length of road subject to a speed limit within the village, four new entrance signs are required to assist with improving the quality of the environment. This project would be undertaken in partnership with the Traffic Management Group. Proposed contribution: £3,000.

Project Costs/Contributions

10.12 It should be noted that the total project costs and contributions for the schemes have not yet been resolved. If necessary a revised programme will be prepared and resubmitted.

11. Schemes Not Recommended for Inclusion within the Programme

Olivers Battery

11.1 The Parish Council wishes to mark the entrance into Olivers Battery from Badger Farm Road. This scheme would entail the rebuilding of a wall in traditional materials using brick and flint as part of the improvements to the Badger Farm Road/Olivers Battery Road junction. However this road improvement is not included in the current road programme.

Olivers Battery

11.2 Winchester City Council's Museums Service is proposing a Community Heritage project based in the Olivers Battery area. The project is at the inaugural stage and while it may eventually propose works that the HVI could assist with, it is too early for consideration of this project.

Central Swanmore

11.3 A project for Central Swanmore had already been identified by the Country Towns Initiative and £50,000 has been allowed for the 2005/06 financial year.

Hamble-le-Rice

11.4 The Parish Council is involved in a project at Well Lane to surface a footpath, provide an information board and, in conjunction with the Recreation and Heritage Department, to reinstate a village pump. However, Hamble-le-Rice is the subject of ongoing works by the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme and it is felt that the resources of the HVI would in this instance be best served elsewhere.

Portchester Castle

11.5 It is suggested that the HVI in conjunction with English Heritage floodlight Portchester Castle. Such a project is not a high priority for Fareham Borough Council. English Heritage prioritises works within its budget and, while it intends to improve the interpretive displays at Portchester Castle in the near future, it has no budget for floodlighting the Castle.

Portchester Precinct

11.6 It is suggested that the Portchester Precinct needs improving but substantial works were undertaken five years ago and Fareham Borough Council, the obvious partner for such a scheme, will not be re-visiting the project. Portchester has been the subject of work by the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme.

North Baddesley

11.7 The Parish Council has requested that five benches in the North Baddesley Recreation Ground be replaced and that the bus shelter maintained by the parish be repaired. Although the County Council has previously undertaken work in the area, the replacement of the benches and repair of the shelter could be regarded as maintenance rather than the implementation of an overall enhancement scheme.

8779/TM

APPENDIX 1

THE HAMPSHIRE VILLAGES INITIATIVE

The Hampshire Villages Initiative was set up to carry out schemes of environmental enhancement in Hampshire's villages. In recent years countryside issues have increasingly become a focus for the Government and other organisations and the HAMPSHIRE VILLAGES INITIATIVE is in line with Hampshire County Council's commitment to maintain and extend investment in the rural community.

Aims and Objectives

The Initiative, with its emphasis on partnership working to address local environmental and traffic safety issues through schemes which enhance the distinctiveness and quality of Hampshire's villages, brings into focus the three Council corporate aims:

(i) Maximising Life Opportunities;

(ii) Stewardship of the Environment;

(iii) Building Strong and Safe Communities.

Within the remit of these strategic aims a number of specific objectives have been formulated to establish guidelines for future projects. The Hampshire Villages Initiative will:

(i) Facilitate schemes of enhancement which are of the highest standard

A pre-requisite of any project undertaken by the Hampshire Villages Initiative is that it should be of a high standard of design. This objective applies to the whole project and encompasses the overall design through to the choice of materials.

(ii) Impact on the public domain

This does not imply that projects necessarily have to be carried out on land within public ownership, but they must contribute to the overall scene within a village and be of benefit to the community at large.

(iii) Reflect the wishes of the local community

All projects should reflect the wishes of the local community, expressed through the Parish Council or other local organisations, or be the subject of a consultation exercise undertaken expressly to elicit a response to a particular scheme.

(iv) Reflect local character

Each village has its own unique sense of place which may well be defined in a Village Design Statement. Schemes must reflect this character through, for example, design solutions, the choice of materials, the use of plants and the selection of street furniture.

Selection Criteria

Within the four overall objectives, schemes to be included within the programme should be within the public domain and seek to achieve the following:

(i) create a sense of identity and place, including on arrival at the village;

(ii) remedy an existing eyesore;

(iii) have an individual treatment based on the distinctiveness of each village;

(iv) have immediate and significant impact; and

(v) reduce street clutter.

Priority will be given to schemes which:

(i) inspire a continuing programme of improvement beyond the immediate project;

(ii) link and add value to the existing highway or other environmental schemes;

(iii) offer the likelihood of attracting additional funding from other public and private sources; and

(iv) enjoy a high level of local support.

Links to Other Programmes

The Initiative will tie in with local aspirations expressed through parish and district councils, local councillors or identified in Parish Plans, Village Design Statements and other Government Initiatives including the emerging community strategies. While the Hampshire Villages Initiative may be involved in the implementation of projects identified on their own merits it is anticipated that the Initiative will principally build on and add value to existing programmes, including those initiated by local and parish councils as well as the County Council's own Highways Capital and Maintenance Programmes and the Safer Routes to School Programme.

Emphasis on Quality

The Initiative will aim for high standards of workmanship and ensure that landscape planting, paving and street furniture with which the Initiative is likely to be involved reflect the quality and appropriateness reflective of the unique sense of place of Hampshire Villages. To this end the emphasis will be on:

(i) the use of heavier than normal landscape planting to create an immediate impact;

(ii) the use of materials which exceed `standard' treatments;

(iii) the inclusion of street lighting and street furniture which is attractive and well coordinated; and

(iv) the promotion of opportunities, where possible, of public art.

APPENDIX 2

CONSULTATIONS

In order to advise of the existence and purpose of the Hampshire Villages Initiative and to elicit suggestions from the local communities of schemes that might be included within the programme of work, the following actions and consultations have been undertaken:

(i) a press release has been issued;

(ii) the Hampshire Association of Parish and Town Councils has been contacted and has informed all its members about the Initiative;

(iii) all District Councils have been advised;

(iv) all County Councillors were written to advising them of the Initiative;

(v) internally contact has been made with

(a) Safer Routes to School

(b) Traffic Management

(c) Highway Maintenance

(d) Transport Implementation;

(vi) Community Action Hampshire has been advised of the project.