Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: NORTH HAMPSHIRE AND SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 2

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS - GLEBE GARDENS, BASINGSTOKE - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

SPRING 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

AUTUMN 2006

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 2005

(at

prices)

2005 prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

nil

nil

Construction

118.6

118.6

Fees

0

0

118.6

118.6

Less developers/

other contributions

68.6

68.6

50.0

50.0

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (Regeneration of Older Urban Areas programme)2001/03

50

50

(b) External funding

65

65

115

2.

From other resources

(a) Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

3.6

3.6

TOTAL

118.6

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £N/A

Variations from capital programme N/A

Revenue implications N/A

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

nil

nil

Capital charges

nil

nil

TOTAL net expenditure

nil

nil

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

Glebe Gardens and its setting play a strategic role within the Old Town Centre Conservation Area. Three significant listed buildings - Chute House (the old rectory), St Michael's Church and Church Cottage - lie close at hand and define historic quarters of considerable merit.

Glebe Gardens is one of the town's 'premier' parks. It provides an important and popular facility for informal recreation close to the town centre, and the setting to busy pedestrian routes to the town from residential areas to the west. It is a point of arrival for many visiting 'The Anvil' by car. It also serves extensive residential areas to the south and west. Chute House is now the Basingstoke campus for University College, Winchester and is attracting students both during working hours and in the evenings and at weekends. Basingstoke College of Technology lies to the west and the park is used as a through route to the town by students.

The proposals for the Gardens have been developed within the context of a master plan, showing comprehensive and long-term proposals. In addition, a suggestion from the local heritage society will be taken up to include artwork within the park commemorating the life and work of local poet Thomas Warton.

2.4

The proposed work follows a first and second phase of improvements to Glebe Gardens carried out in partnership with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Phase one of the project, environmental improvement to the River Loddon, was approved by the former Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) Panel on 27 January 1999. Funding of £20,000 was committed from the 1998/99 programme. Phase two, utilising £25,000 from the ROUA 2002/03 programme and £35,000 contribution from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, was approved by the former Executive Member for Environment on 12 February 2003. This third phase builds on this investment and further develops the park as an important community facility, a setting for local business and cultural activity, and an access to opportunities in the town centre.

Targets and Outcomes

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

The scheme will make significant physical improvements to the park. It will also set a standard and a palette of materials for future work in the park. In parallel with the work on the ground the Borough Council is preparing a management plan to ensure future investment is used effectively to maintain the landscape and to maximise use of the park for public enjoyment.

A number of important pedestrian and cycle routes pass through the park and the scheme proposals will make substantial improvements to these. These routes lie on a direct route between the residential area of Worting Road, including the Basingstoke College of Technology and destinations within the town centre. Two pedestrian counts taken during 2005 at Timberlake Road subway (adjacent to the western entrance of Glebe Gardens) showed approximately 3,000 pedestrian movements recorded throughout the day (0700-1900), indicating this is a key pedestrian corridor to the town centre. This scheme will encourage even greater pedestrian and cycle use for short journeys to the town centre and other adjacent facilities by enhancing the viability of the route.

The Churchill Way car park operated by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is adjacent to the park and generates considerable foot traffic through the park to the town centre. The car park is used in the evenings by visitors to the Anvil theatre.

The targets/main principles are to:

(i) raise the quality of the public space and access to it for all users; and

(ii) enhance access for both pedestrians and cyclists through Glebe Gardens, encouraging greater use of these modes to key destinations in the town centre.

Anticipated outcomes of these targets/main principles are:

(i) improved public perception of the park and this part of the town centre generally, encouraging greater use and enjoyment of the park; and

(ii) improved pedestrian and cycling links across the park to facilitate better use of adjacent facilities.

3.

IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

Improvements for the park meet the policy aims of the County Council's Urban Living Strategy, ROUA programme, Local Transport Plan, and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Park Strategy.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

3.4

The main principles of the scheme are:

(i) creating a sense of arrival at the main entrances to the park;

(ii) improving the setting of significant buildings adjoining the park;

(iii) enhancing existing features within the park including built structures and trees, and providing new points of interest;

(iv) improving routes through the park; and

(v) providing some new furniture, using an agreed livery colour for the park, and carry out some planting all of which will provide a basis for future work in the park by the Borough Council.

The detailed design includes:

(i) improving paths with new natural coloured surfacing throughout the park and improved lighting and path widening at critical points along the routes;

(ii) improving the area around the bridge with planting and additional benches;

(iii) tree planting and creation of new planting beds to complement the construction works;

(iv) installing an electrical service point for events, subject to final agreement on service run by statutory undertaker;

(v) extending the lighting scheme commenced in Phase I works: and

(vi) providing a path linking the west end of the Church with the park, through the Church Cottage car park. Design and implementation of this work is subject to the agreement of the church authorities and granting of planning permission.

A location plan is attached and a detailed plan of the proposals will be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental Impact

3.5

3.6

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

During the construction phase every effort will be made to minimise disruption to users of the park and access to local amenities.

Land Requirements

3.7

No land acquisition required. All works to be carried out by agreement with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Statutory Procedures

3.8

All the necessary statutory requirements have been satisfied in the development of this proposal. Approval for work on land owned by the church will be jointly sought from the Diocese.

Public Consultation

3.9

The overall master plan and strategy for the park is the result of extensive public consultation undertaken by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Local residents, the Basingstoke Heritage Society, Hampshire Gardens Trust and the Town Centre Manager will be consulted on detailed aspects as appropriate.

Local Member's View

3.10

The local Member, Councillor Jo Kelly, supports the scheme. Neighbouring local Members, Councillors Mrs Frankum and Gurden, also support the scheme.

Impact Assessments

3.11

Equality of opportunity and access has been taken into account in the preparation of the proposals. An access audit of the park has been carried out by Basingstoke and Deane's access officer and recommendations from that report have been taken up as far as possible in the design. Facilities and surfacing, consistent with the character of the area, have been selected with all user groups in mind.

Maintenance Implications

3.12

The completed scheme will be incorporated into Basingstoke and Deane's maintenance programme

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.13

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

3.14

3.15

3.16

3.17

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.

Efficiencies

Budget savings have been sought by means of securing £3,600 contribution funding from the Borough Council.

Savings have already been achieved by contribution funding from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council towards the feasibility and consultation exercises. This would have otherwise been funded through this capital expenditure.

4.

IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Other areas of work within the park were considered but were not thought to be as effective in meeting the objectives of the ROUA programme. Options for enhancement were selected which concentrate on those elements which achieve the programme objectives: the aspirations of the local community and have the greatest benefit for users. Alternative design approaches have been considered, but similarly these were considered to less effective in meeting the strategic objectives and the principles of the ROUA programme.

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

Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Panel 27 January 1999 - Project Appraisal -Glebe Gardens, Basingstoke

Roads and Development Sub-Committee 11 September 2000 - Proposed ROUA Programme for 2001/02 and 2002/03

Executive Member for Environment

12 February 2003- Project Appraisal Glebe Gardens, Basingstoke Phase 2

Environment Department

Room 112

Room 112

Room 112