Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

Item 5

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS - SHORE ROAD, WARSASH

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

SEPTEMBER 2005

COMPLETION DATE:

NOVEMBER 2005

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2005/06

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2004

(at 2004

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£

£

Land to be purchased

nil

nil

Construction

286,000

286,000

Contingency

48,000

48,000

Fees (including allowance for meeting provisions of the Party Wall Act 1996)

105,000

105,000

439,000

439,000

Less developers/

other contributions

439,000

439,000

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (Regeneration of Older Urban Areas programme )

439,000

(b) Other

439,000

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

439,000

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

Budget

Net current expenditure

3.0

0.003

Capital charges

nil

Nil

TOTAL net expenditure

3.0

0.003

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The lower end of Shore Road and the waterfront at Warsash are recognised as having significant townscape, nature conservation and historic interest. The area is protected by many national and international designations, including Conservation Area status. A location plan is attached.

The public Hard and adjacent car park are amongst the busiest destinations for visitors to the River Hamble and are important facilities for local residents and the business community. However, the external spaces lack the features usually associated with areas of this quality and there are fundamental problems relating to traffic management.

The public footpath along the river is an integral part of the Solent Way which crosses the County Council's nature reserve at Bunny Meadows, and connects with the ferry crossing point.

The project provides an extension to previous improvement work funded by the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) programme. It is also part of the emerging Transport and Access Strategy for the river and developing partnership working with the Crown Estate.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

This project will contribute to environmental improvements and enhance traffic management, including more effective use of car parking facilities, in the Warsash area.

The improvements also continue the previous investment of the ROUA programme in this area.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The proposals seek to develop previous phases of work by meeting the following objectives:

(i) safeguard and enhance the unique local character;

(ii) make a more attractive and safer place for pedestrians;

(iii) create a sense of arrival at the entrances into the Conservation Area;

(iv) give higher priority to pedestrians and slow traffic down to appropriate speeds; and

(v) improve the appearance of the waterfront car park.

The proposals will achieve this by extending and joining up previous phases. Work will include:

(i) replacing concrete kerbs to the full extent of the improvements with new stone kerbs and sett channels;

(ii) resurfacing tarmac pavements with stone setts and natural-coloured high quality resin bound material;

(iii) resurfacing the southern part of Lower Shore Road, and entrances to Shore Road car park, with natural-coloured high quality surfacing and stone setts to emphasise the traffic management provisions and the special character of the area;

(iv) installing new street lighting units in Lower Shore Road ; and

(v) constructing new stone walls within Shore Road car park.

A detailed plan of the proposals will be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental Impact

The scheme will make high quality improvements to the streetscape within the Conservation Area. All construction materials will be selected for their quality and long-life, providing better value for money for long term maintenance costs.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within the highway boundary or within areas where the owners have formally given their consent.

Statutory Procedures

Permissions are being sought from the local Planning Authority, the Environment Agency, English Nature, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Harbour Authority and the Crown Estate for work on the foreshore. The provisions of the Party Wall Act 1996 apply and the appropriate notices require to be served on adjacent owners.

Public Consultation

A public exhibition was undertaken on 23 April 2004. A full report on the consultation process and outcomes was attached as an appendix to the previous Project Appraisal for this scheme approved on 13 July 2004.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Estlin, supports the proposals.

Equalities

The needs of disabled people have been taken into account in the preparation of the detailed design. Facilities and surfacing, consistent with the character of the area, have been selected with disabled people in mind.

Maintenance Implications

The completed scheme will be incorporated into the maintenance programme of the Highway Authority and individual landowners as appropriate.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Improvement to the public realm, including new lighting and surfacing, will enhance the sense of safety and security for all those using the area.

Sustainability

The scheme will improve the setting of important Listed Buildings and the Conservation Area generally.

The project demonstrates the advantages of investment in the principles of appropriateness, high quality and long life, and supports the County Council's corporate Urban Living Strategy.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Alternative design approaches have been considered. The current scheme is considered to enhance the character of the area, and represents the most appropriate technical solution and the most sensitive to conservation of the cultural asset.

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 File

Environment Department

Room 112