Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

BUILDINGS, LAND AND PROCUREMENT PANEL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - POLICY AND RESOURCES

ITEM 6

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS -ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS TO CHURCH END GREEN, YATELEY

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JULY 2006 TBC

COMPLETION DATE:

DECEMBER 2006 TBC

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

497

497

Design Fees

100

100

Supervision

30

30

Contingency

50

50

677

677

Less developers/

other contributions

677

677

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme)

2004/05

2005/06

300

200

(b) Local Transport Plan Funding 2005/06

155

(to be deferred into 2006/07 subject to approval 21 March 2006)

655

2.

From other resources

(a) Hart District Council

11

(b) Yateley Town Council

11

TOTAL

677

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

Variations from capital programme N/A

A

Revenue implication N/A

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

1.9

0.003

Capital charges

Nil

Nil

TOTAL net expenditure

1.9

0.003

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

2.9

A scheme of environment improvements for Church End Green has been prepared by the County Council in close consultation with Hart District Council, Yateley Town Council and members of the local community.

Church End Green has been selected as the first phase of environmental improvements implemented in accordance with the emerging Village Design Framework and Parish Plan, and is aimed at restoring the sense of place to Yateley.

The Village Design Framework aims to reduce the severance of the village centre, reflect the unique local history and distinctiveness of the centre, enhance the importance of `green areas', create a centre that provides a range of opportunities and to provide high quality, accessible and enjoyable places.

Church End Green has been selected because it is one of the historic centres of Yateley, it is a Conservation Area, an important entrance to the settlement and has a number of traffic and pedestrian management issues which the scheme can address.

Information for February 2005 shows that some 14,000 vehicles per day (both directions) used the road through Yateley Church End, and the 85%ile speeds (the speed at which 85% of traffic travels up to) were over 36 miles per hour through most of the day. The exceptions are the congestion caused by access to Yateley Manor School during the morning and afternoon school arrival and departure times.. Some 670 pedestrians made use of the existing Pelican crossing between 7.00 and 19.00, one third of which were children. The immediate local community also includes a number of elderly and disabled people .

Targets and Outcomes

The Church End Green scheme will act as a benchmark for the principles set out in the emerging Village Design Framework. The targets and outcomes also support four aims the Corporate Strategy.

The scheme is compliant with the core Local Transport Plan (LTP) objectives related to accessibility, safety and wider aspirations about improving quality of life. In particular the scheme seeks to narrow the main road and reduce vehicle speeds on the B3272. This has the benefit of making it easier to cross the road, thereby addressing a local severance issue. Slower speeds will also have some road safety benefits. This contributes to targets in the LTP involving road safety and about public satisfaction with town centre environments. It is also compliant with the Regional Transport Strategy, the County Council Structure Plan and Government guidance in terms of making local centres more attractive to local people who will as a result make shorter journey to access services, potentially by more sustainable means than the private motor car.

The targets and the main principles of the scheme are to:

(i) increase awareness of where the centre of Yateley lies and its location within the surrounding area;

(ii) improve the ease with which pedestrians are able to move around the centre of Yateley; and

(iii) raise the quality of the public environment.

Anticipated outcomes of these targets/main principles are to:

(i) bring economic prosperity, local identity and community spirit to Church End Green and Yateley town centre;

(ii) reduce severance caused by Reading Road, knitting together the two sides to Church End Green and building a strong and safe location which is suitable for all;

(iii) improve, and give a positive perception of, Church End Green by enhancing local distinctiveness and improving the quality of road/footpath surfacing and street furnishing and encourage improved community use of the Green; and

(iv) increase the attractiveness of the local centre for accessing local shops and services, reducing the need or desire to travel further afield.

3.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

3.1

This project will contribute to environmental improvements, enhance traffic management, including more effective use of car parking facilities, and improve pedestrian accessibility in the Yateley area.

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 Yateley from the Hall Lane roundabout;

(ii) improving visibility and the setting of significant buildings;

(iii) enhancing village features such as local landmarks, trees and community features;

(iv) improving opportunities for pedestrians to cross Reading Road and side road junctions;

(v) improving arrangements for car parking and improve traffic circulation around the green by reducing carriageway widths and increasing the sense of pedestrian priority; and

(vi) rationalising street furniture and traffic signs.

The detailed design includes:

(i) reducing the width of Reading Road;

(ii) enhancing provisions for bus passengers;

(iii) parking facilities for cyclists;

(iv) improving pedestrian footpaths;

(v) creating on-road parking bays along Reading Road;

(vi) designating a disabled parking bay outside the pharmacy;

(vii) improving the area around the war memorial; and

(viii) using high quality, long-life materials that enhance the local identity of Yateley.

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

Environmental Impact

3.5

3.6

3.7

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 not make existing congestion worse but will reduce overall traffic speeds.

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

Land Requirements

3.8

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within public highway boundary or carried out by agreement with the Town Council.

Statutory Procedures

3.9

All the necessary statutory requirements have been satisfied in the development of this proposal.

Public Consultation

3.10

3.11

3.12

Initial proposals for Church End Green were shown at the Village Design Framework ideas day in 2004. The approach received a good level of support. Church End Green was identified as a satisfactory first phase of environmental improvements by local people, town and district councils, and community groups.

A public exhibition of the detailed proposals was held at Yateley Manor School over two days in June 2005. The exhibition was also available for viewing at the Town Council offices and on the Town Council's website. The proposals received majority support. From the questionnaires that were submitted, 74% were in favour of the scheme.

A separate consultation, as required by regulations, is currently underway on the proposed Traffic Regulation Order. This formal process will be completed prior to construction. As this involves little material difference from the existing situation, no substantial concerns are anticipated.

Local Members' View

3.13

The local Members, Councillors Collett and Simpson, support the scheme.

Executive Member's View

3.14

The Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy recommends the proposal.

Impact Assessments

3.15

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

3.16

The completed scheme will be incorporated into the maintenance programme of the Highway Authority and Town Council as appropriate.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.17

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

3.18

3.19

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

3.20

3.21

Budget savings have been sought by means of securing and harnessing contribution funding from the District and Town Councils.

Savings have already been achieved by contribution funding toward the feasibility and consultation exercises. This would have otherwise been funded through this capital expenditure.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Other areas were considered as the first phase of implementation of the Village Design Framework, however these were not thought to be as effective in reducing the severance effect of Reading Road; improving access to local services by the community; providing opportunities to enhance the local distinctiveness of the settlement; and creating a sense of entry into the village centre. Alternative design approaches have been considered.

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 Roads and Development Sub-Committee on 11 September 2000 - Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme -Town Centre, Yateley - Technical Studies

Reports to Executive Member for Environment on 23 July 2003- Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme - Proposed Programme for 2003/04 and 2004/05 and 19 April 2005 Environmental Programmes and Service Providers for 2005/06

Environment Department

Room 418