Archived decisions

Contact: Paul Archer, tel 023 80383301 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report seeks approval for 2008/09 capital spending in the following three areas - Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC), Landfill and Environmental Improvements.

1.2 Due to a range of pressures that are impacting on the Environment Department's 2008/09 Capital Programme, the approvals sought are £300,000 below the previously agreed £2,053,000 capital programme provision for the current year.

1.3 Furthermore, although this report highlights an opportunity to reallocate a net £362,000 from existing Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) schemes to further enhance the 2008/09 programme, at this stage it is recommended that it is held as a contingency until the funding situation is clarified.

1.4 Environmental Improvement Schemes have been evaluated and assessed against the total two year capital funding approved in February 2008 budget. This report seeks approval for 2008/09 schemes only, with potential projects for future programmes identified for preliminary work.

1.5 Progress against the HWRC redevelopment and relocation programme has been slower than hoped for over the past few years and, despite a long list of demands, it is possible to hold back £300,000 this year as a contingency against the overall capital programme without impacting on service delivery.

2. Recommendations

2.1 That the programme for household waste recycling centre projects, set out in paragraph 4.3 of the report, be approved, with spending controlled to the sum of £3,750,000.

2.2 That 2008/09 programmes to the value of £1,753,000 as set out below are approved:

£'000

Household Waste Recycling Centres 774

Landfill 66

Older Urban Areas 558

Country Towns 280

Villages 75

Total 1,753

2.3 That approval be given to the 2008/09 environmental improvement programmes, as set out in Appendices 1a and 3.

2.4 That exploratory work proceed on environmental improvement schemes for future programmes as set out in Appendix 2.

2.5 That £300,000 of the approved (February 2008) Household Waste Recycling Centre capital budget provision for 2008/09 is held back as a contingency against the overall capital programme.

2.6 That £362,000 which is available for reallocation from existing Regeneration of Older Urban Areas schemes is also held as a contingency.

3. Introduction

3.1 The HWRC network contributes more than 40% of the total recycling performance across Hampshire. Some 4.5 million individual visits are recorded annually and the sites handle broadly 250,000 tonnes of discarded material each year. Twenty-four sites are provided by the County Council. A number of the sites are small and need to be improved, redeveloped or even relocated. Delivering a new facility can take up to three years and can cost £1.5 million if land has to be purchased. Currently, the list of improvement demands is long.

3.2 Closed landfill sites in Hampshire are generally well maintained. The associated risks, eg pollution, gas control etc, are part of an active annual management programme. That said, this is a specialist area often requiring expensive solutions and expert involvement.

3.3 The environmental improvement programmes benefit a wide range of communities in Hampshire. The programmes are developed working directly with local communities to reflect local priorities and help address local issues of environmental quality, social well-being and safety in villages, towns and urban areas. The schemes delivered have a direct, immediate and practical impact, enhancing the environment, reinforcing the sense of community and well-being, and placing a value on local issues. Economic vitality can be reinvigorated by engaging communities and businesses in improving environments.

4. 2008/09 Proposed Programmes

HWRCs - £774,000

4.1 The current list of demands against the HWRC capital budget exceeds the overall budget provision even allowing for the fact that funds of circa £3,000,000 have built up over the past few years as a consequence of the difficulties in delivering new and expanded sites.

4.2 In overall terms some £3,750,000 is available to be spent in this area and this sum could be increased by a further £300,000 if the spending pressures on the Department's capital programme budget do recede, thus allowing sums currently held back to be reallocated.

4.3 The table below highlights the current HWRC projects that are planned or are being assessed. In terms of delivery, a new site is being developed in Andover as well as significant improvements to both Gosport and Casbrook. Feasibility work will also be completed for possible operational improvements, eg at Aldershot. The Marchwood and Havant projects are more complex as the land areas offer greater opportunities to improve both the HWRC and main disposal contract infrastructure at the same time.

Scheme	Value
Andover HWRC	£1.2m
Casbrook HWRC	£0.3m
Gosport HWRC	£0.6m
Fair Oak HWRC	£0.9m
Hartley Wintney HWRC	£0.5m
Aldershot HWRC	£0.3m
Marchwood HWRC/Transfer Station	£2.0m
Havant HWRC/Other Infrastructure	£1.5m
South West Basingstoke Gap Site	£1.2m
TOTAL	£8.5m

5. Landfill - £66,000

5.1 A small number of key landfill projects are planned for 2008/09. The forecast capital spend for the year is between £150,000 and £200,000. Further to the sum of £66,000 approved for this year, additional funds of £154,000 from the effective management of past years' programmes, is also available.

5.2 The most significant project for implementation in this period is the replacement of the landfill gas control system at Hook Lane closed landfill at an estimated cost of £120,000. This work is required to overcome problems caused by post restoration settlement and to provide improved landfill gas control along the Chilling Lane boundary where gas migration adjacent to sensitive receptors is evident.

5.3 It is also anticipated that new proposals for the failed heathland restoration and woodland planting at Bramshill closed landfill will be determined during this period. Although specialist Consultancy fees estimated at £15,000 will be incurred, on current knowledge, it is unlikely that any new restoration proposals will be able to be implemented until 2009/10. Other planned schemes include minor improvements to the gas control system at Bramshill which may be required following the Environment Agency Habitats Review at the site; costs are estimated to be in the order of £10,000.

5.4 In addition to the above work programme, there is still general uncertainty surrounding operational delivery requirements and the future cost of managing environmental liabilities/obligations at Efford. Officers will continue to work towards being able to clarify the ongoing cost issues at the site during this financial year.

6 Environmental Improvements - £913,000

6.1 The Environmental Improvements Budget is presently divided into the following three sub-blocks;

Regeneration of Older Urban Areas £558,000

Country Towns £280,000

Hampshire Villages £ 75,000

6.2 Proposed programmes for the three areas for 2008/09 are listed in Appendix 1a and described in Appendix 3. The selection process for the proposed schemes for this year, and the future programme from 2009/10, is detailed in paragraphs 6.5-6.9.

6.3 Ahead of selecting schemes for approval in the current year, and in order to optimise the use of ROUAi funding, a thorough financial analysis of the existing `live' schemes was carried out to identify all unallocated sums and potential savings in the current programme. This exercise identified £457,000 of which £95,000 is needed to meet unbudgeted commitments against the 2005/06 ROUAi programme. The net balance of £362,000 is therefore available to enhance the 2008/09 programme, subject to the overall capital programme not needing to call on the contingency sums that have currently been held back. Appendix 1b shows the positive impact on the 2008/09 ROUAi programme of adding in the additional £362,000. An enhanced programme will enable a higher number of proposed projects to be delivered with the opportunity to have a greater community impact.

6.4 The proposed 2008/09 programme allows for 13 individual projects ranging from minor village initiatives, Country Town initiatives including Southampton Road, Ringwood and Oak Tree Green, Four Marks and more major town centre regeneration projects, eg Aldershot. If the contingency sum is not required then the enhanced ROUAi programme will enable two projects to be enhanced and additional projects at Hedge End and Fareham to be advanced.

Selection Process for Candidate Schemes for the Environmental Improvement Programmes 2008-10

6.5 The process for securing candidate schemes for the 2008-10 Environmental Improvement Programmes has changed from previous years with the emerging role of the Hampshire Action Teams (HATs). Candidate schemes were therefore received following presentations to the HATs meetings in October 2007, suggested as part of longer term staged improvements generated in earlier programmes, and submitted by potential partners. A total of 74 candidate schemes were received.

6.6 Each of the candidate schemes has been measured against the aims and selection criteria of the initiative to determine its appropriateness for inclusion in the Environmental Improvement Programme for 2008/09 and future programmes.

6.7 Once approval has been given to progress the programme for 2008/09 the candidate schemes will be fully developed. Although the report sets out a budget estimate for each of the proposed schemes, the estimates will be refined as the schemes are developed and funding is negotiated with prospective partners. Each scheme will be subject to the departmental "gateway" and project appraisal process during its development. This approach provides flexibility in the management of the programmes and assists in utilising the available budget.

6.8 A project appraisal and detailed design for all schemes will be approved before any scheme can start on site. A brief description of the potential scope for each scheme recommended to be included is set out in Appendix 3.

6.9 Candidate schemes for future programmes, on which preliminary work may be undertaken, are listed in Appendix 2.

7. Impact Assessments

7.1 The proposals in this report are derived from the departmental service plans and meet the objectives of both the Waste and Resource Management service area and the Environmental Improvement Programmes. An impact assessment of the departmental service plans has been carried out and Equalities impacts and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of the Sub Programmes discussed in this report. The proposals put forward are not considered to be discriminatory.

8. Conclusion

8.1 Pressures on the overall capital programme have necessitated a cautionary approach being adopted in the planning of expenditure against various sub programmes. In terms of waste and environment sub programmes £300,000 of the Cabinet approved HWRC capital provision has been held back as a contingency. In addition, a further sum of £362,000 that is available for reallocation from existing ROUA schemes, has also not been included in the proposed 2008/09 programme at this stage pending the outcome of work aimed at eliminating the pressures that presently exist.

8.2 The projects/programmes put forward in this report still allow for significant progress to be made this year in terms of HWRC redevelopments/initiatives, reducing landfill risks and environmental improvements. Furthermore, should the overall capital funding pressures be reduced, accommodating additional work from the release of the contingencies sum referred to above will not change the programme as this is planned at the higher, budgeted, expenditure levels.

8.3 Proposed 2008/09 HWRC projects should see a new site developed in Andover as well as significant improvements to both Gosport and Casbrook. In terms of closed landfill obligations, a major landfill gas control scheme at Hook Lane, Warsash should be completed.

8.4 The proposed Environmental Improvement Programmes for 2008/09 support the County Council's corporate priorities and departmental environmental aims by improving and enhancing the quality, commercial and social vitality in urban areas, market towns and villages.

8.5 The three environmental initiatives are the focus for working directly with communities on local environmental improvement priorities. The selected schemes for 2008/09 (Appendix 1) meet the criteria of the individual initiatives and are recommended because of their effective impact on local issues of environmental quality, social well-being and safety in villages, towns and urban areas.

1636Rpt/PA

APPENDIX 1a

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS INITIATIVES

PROPOSED PROGRAMMES FOR 2008-09

Estimated Scheme Value

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS

£'000s

2008-09

Leigh Park Centre, Havant 200

North Town, Aldershot 20

Town centre, Aldershot 338

Total 2008/09 558

COUNTRY TOWNS

£'000s

2008-09

Oak Tree Green, Four Marks 100

The Square, Grayshott 20

Southampton Road, Ringwood 120

Roundhill, Fordingbridge 20

North Baddesley Centre 20

Total 2008/09 280

HAMPSHIRE VILLAGES

£'000s

2008/09

Village Centre, Liss 27

Churchyard, Crondall 10

The Splash, Brockenhurst 10

Littleton Pond, Littleton 10

West Meon 8

Minor Projects 10

Total 2008/09 75

TOTAL 2008/09 Programme 913

APPENDIX 1b

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS INITIATIVES

PROPOSED PROGRAMMES FOR 2008-09

Estimated Scheme Value

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS

(REVISED PROGRAMME INCLUDING CONTINGENCY)

£'000s

2008-09

Village Centre, Hedge End 110

West Street, Fareham 80

Leigh Park Centre, Havant 260

North Town, Aldershot 20

Town Centre, Aldershot 450

Total 2008/09 920

APPENDIX 2

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS INITIATIVES

FUTURE PROGRAMME

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS

Village Centre, Hedge End

West Street, Fareham

West Street, Havant

COUNTRY TOWNS

The Square, Grayshott

Southampton Road, Ringwood

Abbey Water, Romsey

HAMPSHIRE VILLAGES

Freefolk Memorial, Freefolk

New Footbridge, Lychpit

Village Green, Finchdean

Burley Village Centre

Buriton Village Centre

Minor projects

APPENDIX 3

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS INITIATIVES

SCHEME DESCRIPTIONS FOR PROPOSED 2008/09 PROGRAMME

AND POTENTIAL FUTURE PROGRAMME

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS

2008/09 Programme

1. Leigh Park Centre, Havant - 2008/09

Improvements to the environs of Leigh Park's principal shopping area and focus for community facilities. Leigh Park is a priority regeneration area.

2. North Town, Aldershot - 2008/09

Improvements to the local shopping area at North Town, Aldershot to complete recent work to the public realm and to assist the delivery of a landmark feature recognising the important local connections with army logistics. North Town is a priority regeneration area in Rushmoor and is a key entry point to the camp.

3. Aldershot Town Centre - 2008/09

Improvements to Aldershot town centre in accordance with the emerging Town Access Plan and Supplementary Planning Document of the Local Development Framework, and to support the delivery of the Aldershot Urban Extension and the town's role in 2012.

Potential Future Programme

4. Hedge End Village Centre

Improvements to the centre of Hedge End to enhance the attractiveness of the village as a place to visit, to reduce the dominance of the highway, to improve pedestrian access and circulation, and to support local retail activity.

5. West Street, Fareham

Improvements to the west end of Fareham town centre's principal shopping street, and Conservation Area, in accordance with the Town Centre Area Action Plan in the Local Development Framework.

6. West Street, Havant

Improvements to one of Havant town centre's original streets, the setting of the Conservation Area and specialist shopping area, and locally important route into the town centre.

COUNTRY TOWNS

2008/09 Programme

1. Oak Green, Four Marks

Aims to improve the setting and commercial viability of the shopping centre which serves a wide and expanding rural catchment. Scheme developed independently by the local community to an advanced stage of feasibility/design. Four Marks Parish Council has acquired land, carried out public consultations, and secured substantial funding from East Hampshire District Council and other sources. The scheme accords with CTI objectives and is capable of implementation at an early date.

2. The Square, Grayshott

This scheme aims to improve The Square shopping centre which is extensive and serves a wide, rural catchment. The Square has been acquired by Grayshott Parish Council to create a more attractive and commercially viable centre and form a civic space for commercial, social and cultural events.

3. Southampton Road, Ringwood

Scheme responds to town centre action plan objectives following a community based Market Towns programme health check. It seeks to achieve LTP objectives by providing a more attractive/safer environment for pedestrians/shoppers; encouraging retailers to locate and/or remain in the area; remedying existing environmental eyesores; and creating a space more in keeping with the conservation area location.

4. Round Hill, Fordingbridge

Aim to improve pedestrian access/safety in Round Hill by reducing traffic access to the adjoining district council car park; improve appearance of the Round Hill civic space and enhance public use of the area. This town centre principal arrival point from the main car park is an important first impression for visitors and tourists. Proposal extends the previous award winning CTI scheme in this conservation area (recently identified in the Fordingbridge Community Forum market towns health check and action plan following community consultation).

5. North Baddesley Centre, Fleming Avenue

Aim to reinforce/improve the rural shopping centre situated between Romsey and Southampton. It would increase the popularity/use/turnover of the centre and reinforce its benefit to the local community. The centre is owned by Test Valley Borough Council and implementation by the Borough Council would allow for improvement works outside of its normal day to day maintenance remit.

Potential Future Programme

6. Abbey Water, Romsey

Aim to assist the County Council's proposals for replacing the poor conditioned parapet wall and railing adjacent to Abbey Water (historic heart of Romsey); allowing for an enhanced quality of materials/railings to be used; and permitting works to be extended to include resurfacing of the adjoining carriageway to improve the environment of this area. Abbey Water is important for visitors/tourists/residents.

HAMPSHIRE VILLAGES

2008/09 Programme

1. Liss Village Centre

Improvements to the village centre to enhance the sense of place and improve footpaths and pedestrian safety.

2. Crondall Churchyard

Improvements to selective footpaths running through the churchyard, linking housing areas to the Village Hall and improving the setting of the War Memorial.

3. Brockenhurst Splash

Improvements to the environs of Brockenhurst Splash, a ford at the end of the village shopping area, to improve the environment.

4. Littleton Pond

Improvements to Littleton pond and its setting to improve wildlife habitats and make it an attractive focal point to the village centre. The pond forms part of the highway drainage system.

5. West Meon

Improvements to the Green and its immediate environs in the centre of the village.

Potential Future Programme

6. Freefolk Memorial

Improvements to Freefolk Memorial and the surrounding riverside habitat. The memorial is located in the heart of the Freefolk Conservation Area.

7. New Footbridge - Lychpit, Old Basing

The Parish Council would like to install a footbridge across the River Lodden to improve pedestrian safety and has approached HVI for funding. Complements Highways study of the footpaths and routes around Old Basing and Lychpit area.

8. Finchdean

Improvements to the Village Green and its immediate environs.

9. Burley Village Centre

Improvements to the village centre to enhance the sense of place and improve pedestrian safety.

10. Buriton Village Centre

Improvements to village centre to provide a shared space to improve pedestrian safety and reduce traffic speeds.

HAMPSHIRE VILLAGES (CONTINUED)

11. Minor Projects - 2008/09 and Potential Future Programme

The Village Pond, North Waltham

To de-silt and re-line the village pond and improve its setting. The Parish Council has secured funding for the majority of the works from `Awards for All'. Recent price rises in the costs of tipping silt have resulted in a small shortfall of funds.

The Recreation Ground, Kingsclere

To continue a programme of pollarding Poplar trees that are shading out an area of species rich grassland. Without the light the value of the habitat is diminishing.

Various public footpaths, Chineham

The Parish Council wishes to plant native bulbs and wildflower plugs along a number of paths through the village to add seasonal diversity and provide an attractive feature to the routes. Small contribution requested £500.

Traditional Style Finger Post, Upper Wield

The Parish Council has installed three new traditional style finger posts with the assistance of the Hampshire Villages Initiative over the last two years. To complete the scheme it would like to install one more finger post. The project has been very popular with the local community.

Penton Park, Penton Mewsey

The village wishes to carry out tree planting in Penton Park to restore the original parkland planting that has now been lost with time and new road side. There is a well used public footpath running through the park and it is clearly visible from a road to the south and a small rural road to the north.

Drainage and Railings in Conservation Area, Upton

The District Council would like to replace unattractive railings in the Conservation area in Upton. These works were carried out by Highways with no reference to the setting and location of the works. A feasibility study is required to determine if the concrete lined ditch is the only solution in this rural area