Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 5

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

COUNTRY TOWNS INITIATIVE - TITCHFIELD SQUARE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2007

COMPLETION DATE:

MAY 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 2006

(at 2006

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

nil

nil

Construction

173

173

Fees

10

10

183

183

Less developers/

83

83

other contributions

100

100

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme - Country Towns Initiative

50

(b) Local Transport Plan capital allocation

50

100

2.

From other resources

(a) developers contributions

33

(b) Fareham Borough Council

50

(c)

TOTAL

183

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

1

0.001

Capital charges

13

0.01

TOTAL net expenditure

14

0.011

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR IMPROVEMENT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

2.10

2.11

2.12

2.13

2.14

The scheme addresses highways and environmental defects in the centre of Titchfield in pursuit of improving pedestrian safety and sense of personal security; reinforcing a stronger sense of community focus in the centre and creating a more competitive shopping environment; and improving the appearance of the town centre conservation area.

Titchfield serves a substantial local and rural community. The town focuses on one of the finest conservation areas in South Hampshire in the High Street and Square. It is an important tourist destination which attracts economic benefits. The Square forms a distinctive, wider part of the High Street which represents the perceived heart of the town. It contains a mix of houses, offices and shops that are essential to the vitality and character of the town. The majority of buildings in The Square are listed. Dominating The Square is the Bugle Hotel which protrudes into the space and results in a very narrow footway in front.

The town centre is the subject of a Conservation Area Character Assessment prepared by Fareham Borough Council. This identifies the important characteristics of the historic core and stresses the special qualities necessary for any future works.

The centre is diminished by the quality of its surfaces and street furniture. Improvements for pedestrians and to the appearance of the historic core are seen by stakeholders as important objectives for the future economy and social well-being of the town. The scheme continues improvements carried out previously in nearby South Street under the Country Towns Initiative.

Sections of the footway and kerbs in The Square are in poor condition and in need of replacement. This is particularly the case on the eastern side where, in addition, parked cars also overhang the footway, rendering it extremely narrow in places - too narrow for pushchairs or wheelchairs to pass. This footway is difficult for elderly or disabled persons and needs to be widened. For conservation reasons it is important that the two sides of The Square are improved and matched in terms of materials and quality.

Modification of the build-out at the south-western end of the footway is also required to tie it in with the layout of the parking bays.

The High Street and Square are linked to the Jubilee surgery, Barry's Meadow car park and open space by a tarmac public right of way. This also forms the "gateway" for visitors to the town centre from the car park. This important footway is owned partly privately, partly by Fareham Borough Council. It is an unattractive approach to the town centre and, as a principal footpath to the surgery, it does not serve well the needs of the elderly and disabled and needs resurfacing. The street lighting units in the alley also require replacement to bring them up to Conservation Area standards, with better illumination to encourage an enhanced sense of public safety.

The lighting columns in The Square require replacement to Conservation Area quality. Improvement to lighting levels is proposed but the consensus amongst local Members is to reposition but not to increase the number of columns in the street at this stage.

Rainwater from a number of buildings drains across the footway and it is necessary to ensure that that is dealt with. Some of the street furniture is in poor condition or is poorly sited and requires remedial action.

The Borough Council has approached the County Council to work in partnership to address these issues as part of its strategy for the community. A sum of £50,000 for 2006/07 has been approved by the Borough Council on a match funding basis for these works. This money will assist the scheme to use high quality materials and to ensure that the entire Square on both sides is treated harmoniously in line with wider Conservation Area objectives. A further £33,000 is allocated from developers contributions.

Targets and Outcomes

The scheme will make significant improvements to the centre and set a standard for future works in the area.

The main targets for the scheme are:

(i) raising the environmental quality of the town centre in line with Conservation Area objectives to make it more attractive for residents and as a tourist destination for visitors;

(ii) providing support for the commercial success of the centre;

(iii) remedying existing defects and improve accessibility for pedestrians; and

(iv) reducing opportunities for anti-social behaviour.

The expected outcomes are:

(i) reinforcing the centre's distinctive street scene, creating a stronger sense of local identity and strengthening the town's tourist potential;

(ii) improving walking conditions and pedestrian accessibility;

(iii) improving the sense of personal security; and

(iv) reducing street clutter.

The scheme will be assessed following completion against approved Country Towns Initiative programme performance targets. These cover stakeholder satisfaction survey of the design and impact of the scheme, an assessment of stakeholder involvement and an assessment of financial efficiency, measured in terms of external funding contributions.

3.

IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

3.2

The scheme meets the policy aims of the Country Towns Initiative programme, approved 15 October 2003. It also accords with the conservation and shopping objectives of the Fareham Borough Local Plan Review, June 2000, now part of the Fareham Borough Local Development Framework.

It addresses the following Local Transport Plan 2 objectives:

(i) increasing accessibility;

(ii) improving footpath conditions;

(iii) promoting safety; and

(iv) supporting quality of life objectives.

3.3

3.4

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The scheme involves:

(i) resurfacing and re-kerbing the footways on both sides of The Square using natural York stone slabs. The consistent use of the same material on both sides will reinforce the sense of local identity. Where possible, undamaged slabs will be returned to store and recycled for future use;

(ii) widening the footway on the eastern side to provide improved access for pedestrians;

(iii) resurfacing the footpath to Barry's Meadow with a buff coloured, resin bound material;

(iv) supplying more appropriate style street lights in The Square and the footpath to Barry's Meadow, consistent with conservation objectives;

(v) replacing the existing lighting columns in the lane to Barry's Meadow with more efficient and more attractive units;

(vi) removing street clutter where possible;

(vii) providing for building drainage to the highway to be underground where possible;

(viii) retaining existing car parking;

(ix) remodelling the existing build-out on the south-west corner of The Square to tie in with adjoining parking bays; and

(x) providing new cycle parking.

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

Environmental Impact

3.5

The scheme will reinforce the role of the town centre and improve it as a safe and attractive environment. The use of distinctive, long life materials will reinforce the sense of local identity and minimise maintenance costs.

Land Requirements

3.6

No land acquisition required. The western part of the footpath to Barry's Meadow is owned by the Jubilee Surgery and consent from the owners will be required to enable the resurfacing and lighting works there. Preliminary discussions indicate this will be forthcoming.

Statutory Procedures

3.7

The scheme does not involve amendments to statutory orders.

Public Consultation

3.8

3.9

Fareham Borough Council has undertaken a public consultation and questionnaire survey of the stakeholders directly affected by the proposed works. Titchfield does not have a town or parish council but the Titchfield Village Trust was consulted as representing town-wide interests. The questionnaire was issued to 28 properties and to three special interest groups. The overwhelming response from those who responded was of approval for all aspects of the scheme. The Trust noted the need to minimise additional light glare.

Fareham Borough Council ward Members, Councillors Mrs Hockley and Devonshire, are supportive of the scheme.

3.10

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Hockley, supports the scheme.

Impact Assessments

3.11

Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of the scheme. The creation of dropped kerbs, surface improvements and wider footway will assist wheelchair users, people with pushchairs and vulnerable highways users, in particular elderly persons.

Maintenance Implications

3.12

The selection of materials has been made with historic appropriateness and fitness for purpose in mind. Hard surfacing in public areas will be maintained by the County or Borough Councils. Fareham Borough Council is expected to take over from the County Council responsibility for maintaining the proposed street lights in The Square.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.13

By improving street lighting and widening the footway on the eastern side, the sense of personal security for users of the area will be enhanced.

Sustainability

3.14

3.15

3.16

3.17

The scheme will enhance the setting of this important Conservation Area and listed buildings.

The products used, and the use where possible, of natural materials, conform to Council policy for sustainability best practice.

The scheme will help make a more attractive commercial centre. By so doing, it will also help reinforce the towns tourist and visitor base which is an important part of the local economy. It will improve facilities for pedestrians.

Efficiencies

Budget savings of £50,000 have been achieved by contribution funding from Fareham Borough Council. Further efficiencies have been achieved by utilising £33,000 external funding from developers contributions.

4.

IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Alternative approaches were considered but options for enhancement were selected which focus on achieving Country Towns Initiative and Local Transport Plan 2 objectives, as well as responding to the aspirations of the community.

LINK(S) TO CORPORATE STRATEGY

Yes

No

Hampshire safer and more secure for all

√

Maximising well-being

Enhancing our quality of place

√

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

Scheme File

Environment Department

Room 114