Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ITEM 8

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS - TOWN QUAY, FAREHAM

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MARCH 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

MAY 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 Dec 05

(at Dec 05

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

60

60

Fees

Nil

Nil

60

60

Less other

30

30

contributions

30

30

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme 2003/05

3

30

30

2.

From other resources

(a) Fareham Borough Council

30

TOTAL

60

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £ nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

0.206

0.0003

Capital charges

Nil

Nil

TOTAL net expenditure

0.206

0.0003

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

This scheme forms part of the proposed improvements to Town Quay approved as part of the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) 2003-2005 Programme by the former Executive Member for Environment on 23 July 2003.

Town Quay provides an important and popular facility for informal recreation close to the town centre, one of three secondary regional centres on Hampshire's south coast. Town Quay is also the setting for busy pedestrian and cycle routes to the town and around the edge of Fareham Creek. Approximately 3,000 people live within a 10-15 minute walking distance of the park.

The proposals aim to enhance the character of the Conservation Area and improve its amenity value by building on its potential as a unique place for passive, waterside recreation. This includes improving links with the town centre.

Upper Wharf forms part of the Town Quay Conservation Area. The site and its setting play a strategic role within the Conservation Area, forming a link between the Promenade alongside the A32 and Bath Lane Recreation Ground. A metalled public right of way, maintainable by the Highway Authority, crosses Upper Wharf.

The recreation ground is the fifth most frequently visited park in the borough. There are several listed buildings in close proximity, including the Victorian brick railway viaduct.

Upper Wharf has been selected as the next phase of improvements in accordance with the results of public consultation carried out by Fareham Borough Council in summer 2005. Further phases will be brought forward for approval when proposals for the adjoining A32 have been finalised.

A scheme of environmental improvements for Upper Wharf has been prepared by the County Council and Fareham Borough Council in close consultation with members of the local community.

The proposed work follows a first phase of improvements to the link between the Promenade and Lower Quay carried out by Fareham Borough Council in consultation with the County Council. Fareham Borough Council will provide the resources for producing the design and implementation documents and for supervising the scheme.

2.9

2.10

Targets and Outcomes

The targets for the scheme are to:

(i) raise the quality and enhance the sense of place of Upper Wharf;

(ii) enhance access for pedestrians between the Promenade and Bath Lane Recreation Ground, encouraging greater use and enjoyment of the waterside; and

(iii) encourage private investment in buildings and land.

The anticipated outcomes are:

(i) improved public perception of the area;

(ii) better public use of the waterside and Conservation Area; and

(iii) increased levels of maintenance of adjoining private land and buildings.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

Improvements for Upper Wharf meet the policy aims of the County Council's Urban Living Strategy, the principles of the ROUA programme, the objectives of the second Local Transport Plan and Fareham Borough Council's Conservation Area Character Assessment.

3.2

3.3

The main principles are to:

(i) improve the entrance to Bath Lane Recreation Ground;

(ii) improve the surfacing of Upper Wharf; and

(iii) enhance the character of the Conservation Area.

The detailed design will:

(i) remove the low wall and railing spur to improve the Recreation Ground entrance;

(ii) improve the surfacing, using natural stone kerbs, channels and setts to delineate the entrance and pedestrian route;

(iii) lay tarmacadam paving to improved levels; and

(iv) provide new street lighting, designed to respect the character of the Conservation Area.

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

Environmental Impact

3.4

3.5

The scheme will improve the attractiveness and safety of routes for walking and cycling, thus reducing the need to travel by car. 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

3.6

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

Statutory Procedures

3.7

Landowners directly affected by the works have given informal approval of the works; written confirmation will be obtained before going out to tender.

Public Consultation

3.8

The proposals are the result of public consultation undertaken by Fareham Borough Council. Local businesses and residents will be consulted on detailed aspects as appropriate.

Local Members' View

3.9

The local Members, Councillors Bryant and Ellis, support the scheme.

Impact Assessments

3.10

Equality of opportunity and access has been taken into account in the preparation of the proposals. Facilities and surfacing, consistent with the character of the area, have been selected with all user groups in mind.

Maintenance Implications

3.11

A metalled public right of way crosses Upper Wharf and will be maintained over its full length and to a width of 2 metres by the Highway Authority. All other elements will be incorporated into the maintenance programme of the private landowners as agreed in consultation about the works.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.12

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

3.13

3.14

The scheme will improve the setting of the Listed Viaduct, Recreation Ground and the Conservation Area supporting the principle of investment in, and making better use of, existing assets.

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.

IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Other areas of work within the Conservation Area were considered and will be brought forward for implementation in subsequent phases. These will follow the proposed work in Upper Wharf because of:

(i) unresolved issues relating to the A32 currently make it difficult to conclude design development work in other areas;

(ii) Upper Wharf offers the opportunity to coordinate works with the construction of two new residential buildings being erected immediately adjacent to the improvement area, and therefore maximise public benefit from the investment. No other area is able to offer this `added value' at this stage;

(iii) recent public consultation identified the Upper Wharf area as the priority. Other areas were also considered to be important by the public and development of future phases of work will take this into account; and

(iv) alternative design approaches for Upper Wharf have been considered but did not meet the strategic objectives and 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

Conservation Area Character Assessment, Town Quay

Fareham Borough Council

Report to the Executive for Decision,

9 May 2003, Item 9 (7)

Fareham Borough Council

Executive Member for Environment decision 23 July 2003 - Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme

Proposed Programme for 2003/04 and 2004

Environment Department

Room 112

Room 112

Room 112