Hampshire County Council

Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel

24 January 2006

Executive Member - Policy and Resources

31 January 2006

Project Appraisal: Regeneration of Older Urban Areas - The Square, Hamble - Environmental Improvements

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 6

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

BUILDINGS, LAND AND PROCUREMENT PANEL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - POLICY AND RESOURCES

ITEM 6

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS - THE SQUARE, HAMBLE - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

AUTUMN 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

SPRING 2007

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2006/07

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2005

(at 2005

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

0

0

Construction

768

768

Fees

112

112

880

880

Less other contributions

575

575

305

305

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme - Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme 2003/2005

5

105

Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme 2005/2006

2

200

-

305

2.

From other resources

(a) Eastleigh Borough Council

5

575

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

880

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £ Nil

Variations from capital programme N/A

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

3.4

0.045

Capital charges

nil

nil

TOTAL net expenditure

3.4

0.045

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

The scheme of environment improvements for The Square has been prepared by Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council in close consultation with Hamble Parish Council and members of the local community.

The Square lies at the head of the High Street and forms an important 'gateway' for visitors to the town and the Hamble. It is fronted by numerous buildings of significant townscape merit, but for many years the poor appearance of the public realm has been out of character with the surrounding area.

A previous Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) scheme implemented in 2000 with Eastleigh Borough Council made successful improvements to the High Street and to Rope Walk, both adjoining The Square.

The first phase of works to The Square funded jointly by ROUA and the Borough Council consisted of improvements to the pavement outside Copperhill Terrace, a group of Listed Buildings which run along the north side of The Square.

The proposed second phase aims to complete this sequence of work by improving the appearance and function of The Square itself to benefit local residents, visitors and the local economy.

2.6

2.7

2.8

Targets and Outcomes

The scheme will create a formal public space at the head of the High Street in the Square to enhance experience for visitors and residents arriving in Hamble. The targets and outcomes support the four aims of the Corporate Strategy.

The main outcomes of the scheme will be to:

(i) bring economic prosperity, local identity and community spirit to the centre of Hamble;

(ii) encourage easy circulation for all, together with best use of all the available facilities and services in the village; and

(iii) improve the perception of Hamble by creating a distinctive space at the point of arrival which reflects the character of the village.

The anticipated outputs of the scheme are:

(i) higher quality and attractive point of arrival for visitors to meet and provision of appropriate signs and information about the local area, facilities and planned events;

(ii) support for economic activity and community events such as markets and festivals;

(iii) enhanced setting to the High Street and improvement to the character of the Conservation Area;

(iv) reduced impact of traffic in The Square and reduced conflict between pedestrians and vehicular traffic;

(v) more efficient use of land for public parking without reduced capacity;

(vi) improved facilities for bus users and cyclists; and

(vii) better lighting and improved personal safety.

3.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

This project will improve pedestrian and vehicular use of The Square, including improved parking and bus facilities and better routes for those on foot and cycling.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

The detailed design includes:

3.3

(i) improvements to pedestrian routes including crossing points on Satchell Lane and Hamble Lane;

(ii) improved bus facilities including a new shelter, better turning circle and sight lines for buses;

(iii) tree planting at the top of the High Street and within the car park;

(iv) provision of visitor information and community notice board;

(v) improvements to street lighting;

(vi) design measures to control and slow vehicles using Satchell Lane and Hamble Lane while maintaining access for deliveries and occasional vehicles with large loads using the marina;

(vii) reorganisation of the public car park to provide the opportunity for use for events, better lighting, circulation and designated spaces for disabled parking;

(viii) an element of public art to be incorporated into the scheme in the detail design of furniture or paving;

(ix) use of natural stone reflecting the character of the Conservation Area to be concentrated in the important area at the top of the High Street, with a simpler palette of materials used within the car park; and

(x) provision of electrical service points to enable Christmas lights and other displays or events to be held.

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

Environmental Impact

3.4

3.5

3.6

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

On completion, it is anticipated that the scheme will have no major impact on traffic flow, other than the desired reduction of speed.

During the construction phase every effort will be made to minimise disruption to traffic, local trade and access to local amenities.

Land Requirements

3.7

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits or carried out by agreement with the District and Parish Councils.

Statutory Procedures

3.8

3.9

A Traffic Regulation Order will be advertised for changes to traffic flow at the junction of the High Street and Hamble Lane.

Planning permission for the scheme will be required.

Public Consultation

3.10

An extensive process of public consultation has been undertaken. In summer 2004 a questionnaire was sent out to households and businesses in the Parish, and a parking survey was undertaken. A conceptual scheme was drawn up and taken to public exhibition and the Parish Council's Annual General meeting in April 2005. The Parish Council supports the scheme and is keen to see it go ahead.

Local Member's View

3.11

The local Member, Councillor House, supports the scheme.

Executive Member's View

3.12

The Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management recommends the proposal.

Impact Assessments

3.13

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

3.14

The completed scheme will be incorporated in the maintenance programmes of the Highway Authority and Parish Council as appropriate.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.15

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

Sustainability

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.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Alternative layouts were considered and some were taken forward to sketch scheme stage and consulted upon. The proposed scheme offers the best solution which can be achieved in this sensitive area to a complex set of design problems, which include traffic circulation and pedestrian flow.

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

Report to Executive Member for Environment 11 November 2003 - Project Appraisal: The Square, Hamble Phase 1 Copperhill Terrace

Report to Executive Member for Environment 23 July 2003 - Regeneration of Older Urban Areas 2003/2005 Proposed Programme

Report to Executive Member for Environment 19 April 2005 - Regeneration of Older Urban Areas 2005/2006 Programme

Environment Department

Room 418