Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 10

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS - TOWN QUAY, FAREHAM - PHASE 3: LOWER QUAY - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MARCH 2007

COMPLETION DATE:

JUNE 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

205

205

Fees

Nil

Nil

205

205

Less developers/

other contributions

60

60

145

145

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (funding for Town Quay was included in the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas 2003/05 programme)

145

145

2.

From other resources

(a) Fareham Borough Council

60

TOTAL

205

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

3.6

0.004

Capital charges

13.6

0.011

TOTAL net expenditure

17.2

0.015

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

2.10

These paving and lighting proposals will enhance the historical character and local distinctiveness of Fareham's Town Quay Conservation Area.

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 a former Executive Member for Environment on 23 July 2003.

The County Council's ROUA initiative is managed to implement landmark projects to raise the quality of life for all who live, work and visit in urban areas. All projects are designed to demonstrate the benefits of making the best use of land and property, high quality design, long life solutions and materials, and appropriateness to the local sense of place.

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.

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.

Lower Quay forms part of the Town Quay Conservation Area. The historic waterside settlement includes 10 listed buildings facing the quayside. The resulting public space between them and the waterfront includes the public slipway and is important to the character of the Conservation Area. It allows access to the rear of the commercial buildings, the public slipway and Lower Quay Road It provides an important link for cyclists and pedestrians between the Promenade and the open space at Eastern Parade.

Lower Quay 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.

A scheme of environmental improvements for Lower Quay has been prepared by the County Council and Fareham Borough Council in close consultation with the local community

The proposed work follows the first two phases of improvements to the link between the Promenade and Lower Quay, and Upper Wharf carried out by Fareham Borough Council in partnership with the County Council. The funding contributions of each authority to phases 1 and 2, excluding the provision of professional services, total Fareham Borough Council £115,000 and Hampshire County Council £30,000.

Fareham Borough Council will provide the resources for producing the design and implementation documents and for supervising the contract.

2.11

2.12

Targets and Outcomes

The targets for the scheme are to:

(i) raise the quality and enhance the sense of place of Lower Quay;

(ii) enhance access for pedestrians and cyclists, 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 Lower Quay meet the policy aims of the County Council's Urban Living Strategy, the principles of the ROUA initiative, the objectives of the second Local Transport Plan and Fareham Borough Council's Conservation Area Character Assessment.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

The main principles are to:

3.3

3.4

(i) improve the surfacing of Lower Quay and Old Gosport Road;

(ii) improve the surfacing of the public footpath from Lower Quay to Eastern Parade; and

(iii) enhance the character of the Conservation Area.

The detailed design will:

(i) improve the surfacing of the area around the public slipway using granite kerbs, channels and setts;

(ii) improve the surfacing of footways and public footpath using resin bonded surface dressing to match phase one;

(iii) provide tarmac surface dressing to other areas of carriageway; and

(iv) provide replacement street lighting, as and where appropriate, designed to respect the character of the Conservation Area

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

Environmental Impact

3.5

3.6

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 area and access to local amenities.

Land Requirements

3.7

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

3.8

No statutory procedures are involved.

Public Consultation

3.9

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

3.10

The local Members, Councillors Bryant and Ellis, support the scheme. The adjoining local Member, Councillor Price, also supports the project .

Impact Assessments

3.11

Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of this proposal but no adverse impact has been identified in terms of race, creed or gender. 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

3.12

The proposed improvements to the existing highway and public footpath have been designed to be robust using high quality materials with a higher than average service life. The improvements will result in very little increase in maintenance costs using established methods of measurement.

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

The scheme will improve the setting of 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.

4.

IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

4.2

Other areas of work within the Conservation Area were considered but discounted for the following reasons:

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

(ii) public consultation in summer 2005 identified Lower Quay as the priority, supported by 52%, following completion of Upper Wharf. Other areas were also considered to be important by the public and development of future phases of work will take this into account.

Alternative design approaches for Lower Quay were considered but did not meet the strategic objectives and principles of the ROUA initiative.

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

Conservation Area Character Assessment, Town Quay

Fareham Borough Council

Fareham Borough Council

Record of Executive Decision

3 April 2006 - Item10(3)

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