Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 1

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

COUNTRY TOWNS INITIATIVE - HYTHE PROMENADE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MAY 2005

COMPLETION DATE:

NOVEMBER 2005

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2002/03, 2003/04 AND 2004/05

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

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

607.00

607.00

Fees and costs

164.50

164.50

771.50

771.50

Less developers/

309.50

309.50

other contributions

462.00

462.00

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

268.00

(b) Other - Highways Maintenance

100.00

Coastal Budget

Local Transport Plan capital programme

24.00

70.00

462.00

2.

From other resources

(a) New Forest District Council

277.50

(b) Hythe and Dibden Parish Council

28.50

(c) Waitrose Limited

0.50

(d) Developer contribution

3.00

309.50

TOTAL

771.50

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

nil

nil

Capital charges

23

0.02

TOTAL net expenditure

23

0.02

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Hythe is an historic township serving the Waterside and New Forest communities. It has important ferry links to Southampton and is actively responding to increased retail competition from the city.

The Promenade is an under-utilised waterside adjunct to the town centre and ferry terminal. It has unrivalled views over Southampton Water and the rich birdlife of the internationally protected wildlife habitats of the estuary. It has great potential for realising the value of these assets and developing conservation and wildlife interpretation opportunities. The area is mainly public highway adjoining public open space owned and managed by New Forest District Council.

Although it lies within the Hythe centre conservation area it is badly run down and is a cul de sac with poor pedestrian links to the centre. Its poor appearance and its limited accessibility to the pier and town centre are key factors in its under use. It represents a potential waterside resource which, if developed as a public amenity, could have a major beneficial impact on the life and economy of the town. It also has a contribution to make as part of the transportation `gateway' to Hythe and the New Forest for visitors using the ferry, as well as being a local and tourist amenity.

The Hythe Village Centre: Action Plan 1999-2002 identifies it as being Hythe's main, unexploited asset and a prime target for improvement. This action plan informed the local plan for the area and was prepared by New Forest District Council and Hythe Parish Council under the guidance of the Civic Trust Regeneration Unit following extensive local consultation.

3.

IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The improvement scheme fulfils the policy aims of the Country Towns Initiative programme approved on 24 June 2003. It also meets the objectives of the New Forest District Plan: Hythe Waterfront Supplementary Planning Guidance which forms part of the statutory plan for the area and which identifies this area for environmental improvement.

The Promenade is an integral part of the New Forest Transport Strategy package comprising the pier, its ferry terminal and passenger transport interchange. The ferry service carries approximately 400,000 passengers per year, roughly equivalent to 1,000 vehicles per day, which might otherwise be carrying those ferry passengers to Southampton via Totton and the A326 and A35. Developing future pedestrian links to the pier through the scheme area from the residential areas to the south could be advantageous in making the ferry service more attractive.

Plans are being prepared by consultants for improvements to the ferry service, the bus passenger waiting facilities and the taxi ranks which comprise the interchange, as part of the Local Transport Plan 2 - for post 2006. These include draft proposals for the redevelopment of the ferry maintenance shed to form a footpath link to the Promenade with additional commercial floor space. This package includes the future repair and renovation of the pier, and provides the basis for the longer term aspiration for linking the pier and interchange to the Promenade. This link would involve third party land interests and would form a natural extension to the scheme. A sum of £90,000 is identified in the current draft capital programme for 2005/06.

The pier itself, with its light railway, is a structure of considerable heritage attraction in its own right. The County Council is encouraging the ferry operator to develop this potential and the development of a pier head cafe is being considered. The eventual linking of the pier to the regenerated and more popular Promenade could give a further commercial boost to the pier and its ferry operation.

The scheme therefore supports and reinforces the strategy for developing the role of the ferry service and improving the public transport interchange which is being prepared by Atkins, consultants.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The scheme involves the remodelling of the area to include:

(i) removing outworn structures and improving pedestrian surfaces;

(ii) providing a landscaped pedestrian zone in the form of a stepped arena, serving as a sitting out area which would have views over the water and also be capable of being used for outdoor events, including the annual Hythe and Waterside Festival;

(iii) providing a public boardwalk along the seaward side of the existing sea defence wall, together with seating and giving direct sea views. Ramped access would be from the current Promenade walkway. The northern section of the boardwalk would comprise a platform which could also serve as a stage for public events. The boardwalk would be designed with full disabled access to be capable of extension northwards if the proposed pedestrian link to the pier is progressed. It might also incorporate historic and wildlife interpretation panels and a pay-telescope. The sea defence wall would be retained and the boardwalk itself designed to allow for the possible raising of the sea wall in future if this proves necessary. The boardwalk has been designed by specialist consultants with non-slip surface strips for wet conditions.

(iv) improving car parking for disabled drivers with additional on-street parking bays on the north side of the Promenade access road;

(v) introducing traffic calming to reduce vehicle speeds on the vehicular access to the residential and commercial premises fronting onto the Promenade;

(vi) providing a central grassed amenity area;

(vii) creating opportunities for works of public art;

(viii) improving street lighting, seating and landscape planting;

(ix) using high quality materials and street furniture; and

(x) providing additional cycle parking in accordance with Council targets.

A location plan is attached. A detailed plan of the works will be displayed at the meeting. All specifications within the design will be to current Central Government requirements, Hampshire County Council Standards and Advice Notes, including Hampshire County Council policy documents, and British Standards.

Environmental Impact

The combined effect of these works, the use of environmentally-sensitive materials, planting and improved street furniture will greatly improve the setting of the conservation area. Speed reduction features in the highways design will flow vehicles and further enhance the area as being primarily for pedestrians.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition or transfer is required. Some works would be carried out on land in private ownership and consents have been obtained to carry out this work under licence.

Statutory Procedures

Detailed planning approval has been granted by New Forest District Council. Further statutory consents have been obtained from the Environment Agency and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Revisions to these as the result of the proposed changes are in the process of being obtained. The Traffic Regulation Orders, for which approval has already been granted, can be rolled forward without further statutory consultation or decision.

Public Consultation

The scheme has benefited from a full programme of public consultation including regular liaison with Hythe Parish Council and the Hythe Centre Action Group which are fully supportive of the scheme. Discussions have also been held with individual property owners. Public consultation on the detailed scheme included an exhibition in November 2002, followed by a questionnaire survey. Almost 300 persons visited the display and 85 written responses were received. The overall response was very supportive with an approval rating of 92% for the overall aims of the scheme and substantial majorities supporting all of its individual features. Strong support for the revised scheme has been received from the Hythe and Dibden Parish Council, the Hythe Centre Advisory Group, the Hythe Business Partnership and local residents urging the scheme to proceed.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Dash, supports the scheme.

Equalities

The scheme has been designed in accordance with current best practice and conforms to current guidelines. Access for the disabled has been reviewed and the number of dedicated parking spaces for disabled drivers has been increased from two to three.

Maintenance Implications

An agreement is being drawn up between Hampshire County Council, Hythe and Dibden Parish Council and New Forest District Council to rationalise future adoption and maintenance arrangements between the two authorities to determine an equitable division of responsibilities. The Parish Council has agreed to maintain the trees and landscape planted areas.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Improved street lighting and increased social activity arising from the boardwalk and seating will have the likely effect of deterring anti social behaviour. Street furniture and features will be designed to be robust. Discussions have been held with the local Police regarding the potential problem of skateboarders and special design features will be incorporated to mitigate this risk as far as possible. The reduction in hard surfacing following the redesign of the scheme will reduce its attraction area for skateboarding. The licence of The Nelson public house, which fronts onto the Promenade, precludes clients taking drinks into the public space.

Sustainability

The scheme will provide the setting for increased use by the community, including staged events, and create an area more socially and economically useful the future, sustainable life and economy of Hythe.

It will improve the conservation area setting and encourage local interest in the historic fabric of the centre. The inclusion of heritage and wildlife interpretation facilities will reinforce local understanding of water borne and land based conservation and sustainability issues.

The scheme will improve access facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, help support the use of the ferry and encourage interest in these sustainable activities.

4.

IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Cost savings can be made by reducing or eliminating the boardwalk structure. However this would result in a unacceptable reduction in quality and the loss of the central feature of the scheme.

Alternative traffic regulation arrangements were considered but it is felt the proposed scheme represents the most effective and enforceable arrangement.

Other designs and finishes for street furniture and surfaces were considered, however these were not felt to provide the right balance between cost, robustness and local distinctiveness.

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

Hythe Promenade - File E7/1.3

Environment Department

Room 114