Hampshire County Council Amended decision

Cabinet Item 6

28 November 2005

South East England: Final Sub-Regional Policy Advice to the South East England Regional Assembly

Report of the Director of Environment

Contact: Stuart Jarvis, ext 6124, email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made in respect of the County Council's role in advising the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) on its development of the South East Plan, distributing the sub-regional housing totals allocated by SEERA between District Council areas.

That the Cabinet recommends that the County Council should:

_ note that the County Council no longer has any statutory duty to prepare a Strategic Plan to set the framework for the development of the County of Hampshire, and that this is now the responsibility of the unelected South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) through its Regional Plan;

_ note that the advice offered is based upon a widespread consultation exercise with the public of Hampshire to which more than 7,000 replies were received;


_ note that the County Council in respect of the planned development in the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire Area (PUSH) does not believe that the planned level of growth in that sub-region's GVA is sustainable;

_ note that without substantial commitment from central Government as to infrastructure funding, development in Hampshire cannot be achieved and in particular, draw attention to the deficit in transport systems and road networks;


_ affirm that Hampshire County Council has met its statutory obligations under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, and at the request of SEERA, has provided advice on the allocation of SEERA's housing totals between Districts in Hampshire. The County Council has facilitated this process and worked closely with District and Unitary Councils in Hampshire, including facilitating an extensive local consultation process. This is now submitted to SEERA on the basis that Hampshire County Council advises that the following is the outcome of this process conducted on behalf of SEERA, but that the County Council reserves its own position:

(i) note the findings of the Sustainability Appraisal work to date (summarised in Appendix 1) and reflect this consideration in determining its advice to SEERA;

(ii) submit sub-regional advice to SEERA in respect of employment, transport and other infrastructure, for North and South Hampshire, based on the principles set out in the report (including the Appendices 2, 3, 4 and 5), accompanied by relevant technical work reports;


(iii) object to SEERA in respect of its proposed Aldershot/Farnborough/ Camberley regional hub on the grounds set out in Section 6 of the report, and that the County Council fully endorses the stance of the Western Corridor and Blackwater Valley Sub Regional Steering Group on this matter:

(iv) submit to SEERA advice on the distribution of District Housing numbers in North Hampshire set out in Appendix 6 of the report;

(v) submit to SEERA advice on the distribution of District Housing numbers in Central Hampshire set out in Appendix 7 of the report;

(vi) submit to SEERA advice on the distribution of District Housing numbers in South Hampshire, tabled at the Cabinet meeting, in the context of the information set out in Appendix 8 of the report, subject to any additional considerations following discussion of these matters by PUSH on 1 December 2005; and

(vii) submit appropriate sub-regional policy advice to SEERA based on the principles set out in Appendix 10.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aims 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Corporate Strategy (Maximising life opportunities, Stewardship of the Environment, Achieving Economic Prosperity and Building strong and safe communities) by setting out proposals for the long-term spatial planning framework to guide the management of development and change in the county's environment, economy, infrastructure and communities over the next 20 years.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To provide partial or no further sub-regional advice to SEERA, which was rejected as it would be in breach of the County Council's and Unitary authorities statutory duties and responsibilities, and would deny a full Hampshire input to the development by SEERA and the Government of the long-term sub-regional planning framework for the area.

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 T.K. Thornber, CBE

9322Decn(Rev)/SJ