vision document november 2014 - consultation …...the company’s considered approach to...

VISION DOCUMENT NOVEMBER 2014

PAGE HEADING LINE 1LINE 2 IF NEEDED

3

CONTENTSIntroduction 1

Seaward Properties and Team Profile 3

Local Context 5

Understanding New Alresford 9

Identified Needs of New Alresford 15

Commitment to Consultation 17

Objectives and Design Principles 19

Strategic Approach 21

A New Neighbourhood 23

Summary 25

Appendices 27

PAGE HEADING LINE 1LINE 2 IF NEEDEDINTRODUCTION

Purpose of DocumentThis document has been prepared by Broadway Malyan for Seaward Properties to provide a vision document for the use of land at Sun Lane in New Alresford.

This document includes an overview of the technical site baseline, the planning context, the key constraints and opportunities associated with the Sun Lane site, along with the objectives and design principles for its future development, up to the period 2031.

This work has been undertaken to provide Seaward Properties with an understanding of the context and character of the land to the east of Sun Lane and to also demonstrate that the site is a viable and sustainable option to deliver all of the future needs of New Alresford.

In summary, the technical analysis demonstrates this is a site free from constraints, available for development and that a sensitive area of growth, along the existing settlement edge, could be developed which would improve the landscape setting by creating an organic edge to the east of the town whilst retaining New Alresford’s strong reputation as a market town and gateway to the South Downs.

Our townscape analysis outlines what a unique and attractive settlement New Alresford is, and how important it will be in ensuring that this site delivers new development that is appropriate in scale and design. The masterplanning process will seek to ensure sensitive integration into the existing settlement, conserving its unique identity and “relating to its key historic characteristics and local features” (Winchester District Joint Core Strategy Policy MTRA 2).

This vision document does not represent our final thoughts on what the Sun Lane site will look like, but rather, represents the first step in a much longer masterplanning process. Seaward Properties is committed to working with the residents and community representatives of New Alresford, through the Local Plan 2 (LP2) process, in helping to bring forward a high-quality, thorough masterplan for the future uses of the site.

Seaward Properties has an excellent track record for delivering developments which create places that people can be proud of and where people really want to live.

Unlike many volume house builders, Seaward does not have a ‘standard’ approach to housing types. Each residential scheme is designed to respond to the individual characteristics of the local area and create a unique appeal. Seaward use local materials and can recreate authentic period detailing in a contemporary setting but, in contrast, has also created striking modern designs such as The Wharf in Chichester.

Seaward Properties has an excellent track record for delivering innovatively designed residential developments to outstanding specifications, creating homes where people really want to live.

The company’s considered approach to landscaping, coupled with its emphasis on creating developments which complement the existing area, has secured Seaward’s reputation as a property developer with flair and imagination.

The TeamBroadway Malyan Masterplanning & Landscape Architecture

Luken Beck Planning

AKS Ward Drainage

Russell Giles Partnership Transport

Aluco Ecology Ecology

Remarkable Engagement Public Consultation & Community Involvement

Seaward Properties Ltd.Based in Chichester, Seaward Properties (Seaward) is an established property company at the forefront of designing and building award-winning residential and commercial developments across the South and South-East of England.

Founded in 1972 by Chairman and owner Barry Sampson, Seaward Properties has an enviable reputation as an award-winning developer, with a commitment to creating high quality schemes which are design-led and respond to the character of an individual area.

This commitment has led to Seaward receiving a number of prestigious honours, including awards from the Evening Standard, What House? magazine, the National House Building Council and a local Heritage award.

In the past 40 years, Seaward has successfully brought forward the development of over 1,600 new homes as well as approximately 600,000ft² of commercial space - including business parks, retail parks and office space. In 2014 Seaward has already submitted planning applications for 250 potential new homes, with a possible further 1,300 in the pipeline.

Seaward is renowned for successfully bringing forward both brownfield and greenfield sites, whilst promoting innovative land use for residential and commercial developments. The company is currently promoting in excess of 280 acres of land in Hampshire, West Sussex, Yorkshire and Dorset.

Previous Seaward schemes have included homes for first time buyers and one-bedroom apartments, right through to substantial detached houses - with a host of character homes in between.

About the TeamBroadway Malyan

Broadway Malyan is an international practice of architects, urbanists and designers. Founded in 1958, we now work across fifteen international offices throughout the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. Our main UK masterplanning team is based in our headquarters office in Weybridge, Surrey and comprises urban designers, landscape architects, residential architects and graphic designers, bringing together the necessary skills and services to respond to the challenges of urban spatial growth and has the tools to provide designs that are objective driven, sustainable, deliverable, but also visionary.

The team works on projects either in an integrated way with other in-house urbanism disciplines or as an independent masterplanning consultancy, working as part of wider multi-disciplinary project teams.

Luken Beck

Luken Beck, formed in 1997, is a well established, multi disciplinary chartered town planning consultancy. They provide expert advice to a range of clients in the public and private sectors, from individual landowners to major multinational companies and local government. Their track record includes a number of the largest, most complex and prestigious development projects in the south of England and current projects include Ben Ainslie Racing in Portsmouth, Meridian Television Studios redevelopment in Southampton, and Shopwhyke Lakes new neighbourhood in Chichester. Their portfolio ranges from major greenfield development

SEAWARD PROPERTIES & TEAM PROFILE

1

schemes to mixed use urban regeneration schemes; office, commercial and marine projects; University, retail, leisure and transport schemes.

AKS Ward

AKSWard are Civil Engineering Designers, Structural Engineers, and Building Surveyors, who work regionally, and nationally.

Drainage Design forms a speciality sector of the companies’ work, and current clients include the Duchy of Cornwall, for work at The Prince of Wales village at Poundbury, in Dorset.

Seaward Properties have been a client for over thirty years, and Anthony Ward, who lived and worked in New Alresford for over thirty years, is personally involved with the ‘Vision’ project for Seaward Properties. This brings valuable local and client knowledge to this important scheme for Alresford.

Remarkable Engagement

Remarkable Engagement is an intelligent, experienced, full-service communications agency specialising in stakeholder relations, public affairs and consultation.

Working across the UK, Remarkable Engagement delivers best-practice consultation to enable developers to fully understand the views of local residents and stakeholders. In supporting the project team to build relationships in the area and effectively engage communities, Remarkable Engagement help

to ensure schemes are shaped by local knowledge and community feedback.

Russell Giles Partnership

RGP’s experience is UK wide with its head office is based in Godalming, Surrey and a second office in Chichester which combined, gives RGP the ability to confidently support a range of projects across the country.

This investment in both facilities and a highly skilled team has created a loyal and varied client base that has developed through a reputation for consistent performance and strong personal relations between clients and senior staff.

RGP’s experience and expertise has proven successful across the development spectrum, including residential, retail, leisure, office, distribution and industrial projects, education and healthcare, and mixed use schemes.

RGP tackles the most demanding of development projects, whether large or small, providing its clients with a bespoke service ensuring quality and consistency of work is never compromised.

Transport services include transport planning, traffic engineering, transport modelling, traffic impact assessment, site analysis and feasibility studies, safety engineering, travel planning, sustainable transport, highway design, expert witness and transport statement.

3

Aluco Ecology

Aluco Ecology specialise in delivering planning solutions and can support associated needs for ecological interpretation and access advice; whether you are putting in a planning application or managing a countryside site.

Their team of ecologists has broad experience of UK ecology from bats, great crested newts and badgers, to birds and reptiles, vegetation and habitats, Ecological Impact Assessment , Mitigation Design, Implementation and monitoring. They carry out survey work within this wide discipline to inform planning applications, local development frameworks, conservation organisations, site managers and scientific research. Their team has been working in the nature conservation industry for over 15 years and they have extensive practical, technical and scientific experience. They specialise in planning and in ecology and the interface between the two.

LOCAL CONTEXT

OverviewThe site is located to the south east of New Alresford town centre, neighbouring the existing settlement edge along Sun Lane and therefore represents a natural extension for the future development of the town.

Given the convenient location of the site, and through a process of community engagement and a thorough masterplanning process, future potential development at Sun Lane has the ability to integrate with the existing local community abutting the site, as well as connecting to the local highway and pedestrian network.

Key

site boundary

SPORTS FACILITIES

INFANT SCHOOL

JUNIOR SCHOOL

SENIOR SCHOOL

G.P

DENTIST

PHARMACY

RETAIL

CHURCH

EMPLOYMENT

POST OFFICE

LIBRARY

SOLAR FARM

3

N

The Avenue

A31Tichborne Down

Sun

Lane

400m

600m

800m

5

Picturesque Market TownGiven the close proximity of site to the town centre, considered understanding of the rich background of the town is required. This is important, particularly when it comes to the masterplanning process for the site.

New Alresford has a rich architectural heritage which is particularly noticeable within the Conservation Area, which features primarily Georgian development and number of listed buildings.

The main townscape characteristics of the town are:

• Attractive, compact town centre

• Strong historic T-shaped town core

• Colourful and inviting frontages along the high street

• Exquisite Georgian Heritage

• A vibrant town centre with a mix of uses within walking distance of the site.

1 4

2 5

3 6

5

10

N

9

7

8

1

2

5

6

38

4

9

710

7

UNDERSTANDINGNEW ALRESFORDSettlement HistoryAs mentioned previously, New Alresford has a strong historic setting characterised by its T-shaped town centre, representing its historic importance as a market town.

The town was established in the 13th century as a market town to the south of the River Arle on a part of the Liberty of Alresford by Bishop of Winchester. The Bishop built a great dam to set up a pond and provide water for mills. The dam and the bridge also provided a pass for the route from Winchester to London, which helped New Alresford to become a prosperous market town. A major fire in 1689

destroyed many houses in New Alresford. This was followed by a major rebuilding of the settlement which formed the Georgian town we see today.

The historic maps on this page demonstrate the evolution of the town over the last century and a half. The pattern of settlement expansion has focused to the south of the railway line, which has seen a significant growth in the last century The early settlement was set up around the T-shaped market street. By 1890 the town started growing towards the south. From the 1960’s, up until as recent as 2011, New Alresford has experienced significant growth away from the town

centre, towards the south and south east. It was during the 1960’s and 1970’s, as shown in the plan opposite that as many as approximately 1,000 homes were built to the west and south east of the town, adjoining the Sun Lane site. This growth represented a clear pattern of settlement evolution of New Alresford. Beyond the 1960’s the town continued growing towards the east until it took its present shape.

In 2011, New Alresford’s population was a recorded number of 5,431, an increase of 329 from 2001. Between the same period, 214 dwellings were constructed (Winchester City Council Data Set, 2013).

7

KEY

1870

1890

1940

1960

1970

1990

2011

2013

7N 9

UNDERSTANDINGNEW ALRESFORD

Constraints of the TownA thorough understanding of both New Alresford and the site is important in ensuring that any design proposals for the site are cogniscant of identified site features, constraints and opportunities.

The findings of a number of technical baseline surveys and anaylsis work carried out to date are illustrated in the plan opposite and can be summarised as follows:

• New Alresford is bounded by flood risk Zone 1 to the north

• A31 creates a strong physical barrier on the southern edge of the town

• Railway line cuts through the town and creates a physical barrier due to lack of crossing points

• Post-war 1980’s residential areas are mainly structured with culs-de-sac which creates an impermeable form

• Most of the open spaces have very limited public access and are difficult to find

• Undulating local topography creates a challenging landscape structure.

KEY

site boundary

existing buildings

listed buildings

conservation area

existing public open space

flood zone

existing trees

physical barrier

high speed traffic

key views

key views from within the site

approximate location of overhead powerlines

existing solar farm

contours

restricted byway

100

99

SUN

LA

NE

A31

N

TICHBORNE DOWN

JACKLY

NS LANE

11

Opportunities For New Alresford, the following are important requirements identified by the Town and City Council to meet future needs of the town:

• Deliver new housing fit for the future needs of New Alresford’s growing population

• Provide for affordable housing in line with Winchester City Council’s guidance, but working with the community to provide affordable homes for those with a local connection

• Enable new employment opportunities and facilitate growth for the town, whilst ensuring it continues to be a thriving market town for future generations to enjoy

• Enable a working partnership with the local community and representatives to influence what residents would like the future development of the site to look like and deliver

• Provide a new burial area

• To provide a significant amount of green open space, accessible to all of the local community, along with the opportunity for community input into what open space uses New Alresford needs and wants

The plan opposite highlights the opportunities for the Sun Lane site, informed by technical baseline work and site visits carried out to date. The opportunities present a blueprint for the site and inform the emerging concept plan options.

Sun Lane is unique as it provides, in one sustainable location, for all these important opportunities by incorporating:

• A new housing area to be ideally located close to the town centre. A key benefit which enables the use of green transport initiatives and allows new residents to utilise and integrate with the community, shops and other facilities

• A new link to the A31, which would improve the connectivity of New Alresford and provide a new access point to the south of the town

• A new employment area located next to the new link directing associated traffic directly onto A31 to reduce congestion and help alleviate the town of heavy vehicle traffic

• Measures to improve pedestrian and cycle access between the site and the town

• Provision for the new burial ground

• A public realm intervention within the town centre would create a more pedestrian friendly environment while reducing the existing speed of traffic in neighbouring roads as identified by local residents

• An opportunity for a new public open space with sports facilities

• Green corridors which connect the town with its surroundings, provide access to the countryside, enhance biodiversity and help to protect important key views

KEY

site boundary

potential green corridors

elevated flat plateau

town centre

water

wayfarers national trail

public right of ways

millennium walk

footpaths

potential new road link

potential pedestrian walk and cycle connection

enhanced public signage

existing gateway

potential new gateway

potential new green node

landmark

key views from within site

existing solar farm

UNDERSTANDINGNEW ALRESFORD

• The green corridor on the east will create a natural edge for the town

• Mature trees, hedgerows and public right of ways articulate the structure of the open land.

11

A31

N 11

SUN

LA

NE

TICHBORNE DOWN

JACKLY

NS LANE

13

IDENTIFIED NEEDS OF NEW ALRESFORD

Alresford Health Check In 2008, a Health Check of Alresford was carried out to help shape the future of the town. A summary of identified opportunities and weakensses of the town from this health check is as follows:

Location and Housing• Affordable housing currently not meeting the needs

of locals• The town is considered popular with a well laid out

setting • There is a need to identify exception sites for local

people and those who work in the town.

Recreation Sports and Other Facilities• There are a limited number of leisure activities

being catered for at New Alresford• Access to recreational facilities is limited for towns

people• There is a lack of services and provisions for ageing

population• Public transport services to local facilities is an

issue• Opportunity exists to improve open space

standards and the range of facilities and activities.

Economy and Tourism• Concern regarding the variety of enterprises in the

town • Up-to-date offices and commercial / employment

facilities are needed• Improved pedestrian areas, signage and safe

crossing points are needed• Better opportunities are needed to attract

entrepreneurs to New Alresford• A skilled profile of young people exists and

therefore makes the town an ideal location for new technology entrepreneurs

• The release of brownfield sites within the town centre for housing and services is desired

• Concern that heavy goods vehicles (HGV)traffic is harming the town centre ambience.

Traffic and Transport • Proximity to the A31 is noted• Poor public transport access to the town from

surrounding areas is an issue• HGV traffic is an issue in the town centre• Access to the A31 by-pass from the south is

identified as an opportunity.

District Local Plan Winchester City Council, through its District Local Plan process has assessed the development needs of New Alresford up to the period 2031. In summary, these needs include:

• a required provision of up to 500 dwellings over the period 2011 - 2031; and

• the need to support economic and commercial growth and to maintain and improve shopping, service, tourism and employment roles.

In addition to this, the Local Council, working with local “Needs Groups” has also identified development needs of the town. A summary of findings from the Needs Groups include:

Education • Pre-school spaces will be needed.

Town Services• Elderly care provision is needed• Burial ground provision is needed

13

Transport

• Current problems on Sun Lane regarding school drop offs and speeding

• Station Road improvements and improved access to Station car park are required

• New development should provide for improved foot and cycle routes connecting to all parts of the town.

Open Space • Against the open space standards set out in Local

Plan (LP1), Alresford has an existing shortfall in open space of 15.37 ha, which will increase with planned population growth to 20.37 ha by 2031

• Suggestions for satisfying the general requirement include the provision of formal and informal recreation facilities including allotments, sports facilities including a cricket ground, rugby pitches, tennis courts and new equipped Children’s Play areas.

Housing • It is suggested that around half the need for housing

over the next twenty years will be for a mix of dwelling types and sizes, including small dwellings and larger three bedrooms plus homes

• There will be a need for a comprehensive sheltered/nursing facility.

Employment Currently some 38% of the existing population works in Alresford. Given the expected population growth over the plan period, opportunities would need to provide for additional jobs to maintain a similar proportion.

There is thus a need for sites of up to 5 hectares for new business/commercial parks to provide the opportunity for businesses to remain or locate in Alresford, and secure some of the extra jobs required.

In response to the identified needs of New Alresford, the Council, through Policy NA3 of the Local Plan, has set out in detail how the Sun Lane site can provide for and address these needs up to 2031. This information is discussed further in detail in the Appendices section of this document.

15

COMMITMENT TO CONSULTATION

Commitment to ConsultationSeaward Properties has a strong track record in consulting and communicating with local councillors, members of the local community, community groups and other relevant third party stakeholders, alongside discussions with Local Authority officers, in order to achieve a scheme that is acceptable to all parties.

As part of its commitment to engagement with local communities, Seaward Properties will be progressing the planning details for the site with Winchester City Council, in parallel with an extensive supporting programme of pre-application community consultation.

Ahead of undertaking any wider consultation, Seaward Properties considered it important to offer

community representatives an early briefing on the principle of the site’s development. This will help to assist with shaping the initial proposals if the site is allocated and a masterplanning process is progressed.

Meeting with key community representatives at the outset has allowed Seaward Properties to receive initial feedback and has helped to evolve the direction of the proposed engagement. As a result, Seaward Properties considered it important to offer those residents who border the site the opportunity to meet with members of the project team on an individual basis. This will provide Seaward Properties with the opportunity to understand residents’ concerns, listen to feedback and respond to questions directly.

To achieve this, one-to-one meetings with the project team have been offered to representatives of the residents immediately neighbouring the proposed site.

As Winchester City Council’s preferred option, Seaward Properties will be available at Winchester City Council’s LP2 Consultation Event in November 2014 to talk to the community about the Sun Lane site and answer any questions you may have.

However, this is the start of a much longer process in moving forward with development proposals for the site and Seaward Properties is committed to engaging with the local community about the future of the site as well as any future masterplanning process.

15NN 17

Local StrategyOur initial urban design principles diagrams, opposite, demonstrate how the Sun Lane site can respond to WCC’s objectives, which look to accomodate the Council’s proposed Local Development Framework up to the period 2031. These objectives include:

Housing:

• To provide for housing to the north of the site offering a range of types and tenures

• To be designed so as to facilitate and improve access to the town by non car modes and to limit the impact of the car on nearby residential streets.

Access:

• Access to the site to be primarily from the south via a new junction to the A31

• To include new / improved pedestrian and cycle access from the site to the town centre

• To include measures to discourage use of motorised transport and minimise impact of development on nearby residential roads.

Green Infrastructure and Open Space:

• To reinforce existing site boundaries, particularly along the eastern edge and to provide suitable boundary treatment on the western edges

• To provide open space in the central part of the site and be designed to provide a range of current and future needs

• To be carefully designed, integrating the burial

ground and to include different types of open space

• To provide open spaces within the housing development area.

Design PrinciplesOur preliminary analysis has demonstrated the need to create a growth area which can respond to the needs of the local community protecting New Alresford’s strong heritage, historic setting and reputation as a market town, and its presence as a natural gateway to the South Downs. Our objectives for the growth of New Alresford are:

• To create an inclusive neighbourhood that appreciates the rich heritage of the town, and responds to the historic settlement pattern of the town

• To create an organic edge to the east of the town, responding to the existing character of the historic urban edge, and retaining open views of the open countryside

• To contribute towards supporting a thriving local economy

• To provide opportunities to promote walking and cycling

• To provide better permeability and legibility, ensuring the town is well connected and navigable

• To provide opportunities to protect and improve the landscape setting of the town

• To provide opportunities for community involvement and partnership working

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

• To provide, in the most sensitive manner, for locally determined housing provision that meets future demand and local needs

• To respond and respect the distinct Hampshire vernacular, ensuring the proposals are rooted in their local context

• In delivering the objectives, set out above, Seaward Properties envisage attaining planning permission in 2016 / 2017 (in conjuction with the LP2 process). Upon receipt of permission, it is envisaged that the A31 by-pass junction will be delivered between 2017 / 2018, together with initial housing completions and open space phasing commencing in 2019 / 2021, with housing completions estimated around 2023 / 2024.

Key BenefitsThe site has the potential to deliver a range of benefits to New Alresford including:

• Creating a sense of place, particularly in the immediate Sun Lane area

• Providing a new neighbourhood where continuity and a sense of enclosure is provided

• Providing a quality public realm with attractive and well connected spaces

• Ensuring ease of movement for all, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists and relieving existing transport issues within the town, and

• Creating an adaptable, permeable and well connected new neighbourhood that offers choice for all.

17

Respond to the topography Protect important views An organic edge (gifted to Local Council to control future development eastwards)

Provide access to the countryside Potential new access to the A31 Provide a new employment siteNew homes close to local facilities

Protect higher slopes from development

19

STRATEGIC APPROACH

Key Principles• Provision of new mixed housing tenures, including

affordable housing located on the northern aspect of the site. This will be carefully master planned, with consideration to ideas and aspirations shared by local residents, to reflect the unique character of New Alresford. The housing area to the north of the site is ideally located to deliver green modes of transport. This is accentuated by the close proximity to the high street, local shops and services, bus routes and importantly the Sun Hill Infant and Junior schools. The site’s location and measures introduced through the masterplanning process will reduce the vehicular impact on neighbouring roads, the high street and the overall traffic congestion currently experienced in New Alresford. Access to Winchester and Alton will be promoted through the site towards the new A31 junction, a key benefit of the scheme in comparison to a piecemeal, scattered housing allocation approach.

• Provision of 15 hectare of public open space including a new burial ground to be provided in the centre of the site. Not only will this offer local resident’s green corridors to access the wider countryside, but also an accessible community facility available for all of the town’s residents. The unique nature and size of the Sun Lane site will permit delivery of this vital community

KEY

SITE BOUNDARY

PROPOSED HOUSING

OPEN SPACE

EMPLOYMENT

A31

RAILWAY

existing solar farm

NEW ACCESS

benefit. Seaward Properties is keen for the local community’s input in helping to determine what uses the town needs and wants for this large area of open space.

• Provision of up to 5 hectare of B1 to B8 commercial and employment land has been identified by Winchester City Council. This area will accompanied by a new landscape buffer between the neighbouring properties in Sun Lane. This area of commercial and employment land will be easily accessible, via a new A31 by-pass junction, therefore, minimising the level of commercial traffic traveling on the current road network infrastructure through the town, an existing concern which has been voiced by local residents.

• Delivery of a new A31 junction is a key benefit to the whole of New Alresford, as it will assist in relieving existing and potential vehicular pressure on neighbouring roads and the town centre. The junction will be delivered at the start of the scheme and will allow on-site development, commercial and residential traffic direct access onto the A31, east and west bound, without having to use the current internal road network.

The junction is designed to permit east bound traffic to exit off the A31 (the start of the access slip road commences after the last residential property in Tichborne Down). West bound traffic will be

directed by signage to utilise the A31 via the A31 / Alresford Road roundabout back into the east bound site access. Not only will this alleviate traffic on neighbouring roads, but this journey will be simpler, potentially quicker and safer than heading through Bishop Sutton etc. Apart from the initial construction traffic for the A31 junction, future Sun Lane commercial traffic, especially HGV’s, will be directed/restricted to the A31 only.

• Inclusion of a “drop off zone” for the Sun Hill Infant and Junior schools will encourage parents who commute out of New Alresford to avoid returning through the current road network. This will be a key benefit for local residents who are affected by school traffic.

19N

Sun

Lane

Tichborne DownWhitehill Lane

A31

21

Open SpaceThese illustrations are artists impressions of how the new neighbourhood and open space could function. The new settlement will provide a variety of houses to meet the housing needs of the local community with a sensitive approach to the surrounding landscape. The new open space will provide new walking and cycling routes making the countryside more accessible.

Due to the existing shortfall of usable open space in New Alresford, there is the potential for the Sun Lane site to deliver a variety of new areas of open space. This could include allotments, burial ground, equipped children’s play areas and formal recreation, in line with New Alresford Town Council’s findings within the Open Space Needs Group. The detail of the open space strategy will evolve in the coming months and we are keen to work with the local community to identify ideas and aspirations for the open space provision.

A NEW NEIGHBOURHOODWorking with existing features of the site and its unique landscape setting, a distinctive and memorable new neighbourhood is envisaged at Sun Lane.

A strong sense of place is envisaged to exist between the new and existing settlement areas, particularly east and west of Sun Lane.

An integrated and well designed layout will ensure an accessible new neighbourhood with the town centre.

Responding to adjacent buildings west of Sun Lane, the new neighbourhood will be appropriately scaled and designed to reflect its local setting and integrate with the existing.

Safe accessibility within and around the town centre, along Sun Lane, and within the site will be facilitated through provision of a new by-pass link to the A31 to the south of the site.

7 key principles are set out below which will be applied during the masterplanning process. These are:

• Character - enable the creation of a place with its own identity

• Continuity and Enclosure - provide public and private spaces which are clearly distinguished

• A Quality Public Realm - create a place with attractive and well-used outdoor areas

• Ease of Movement - ensure the layout is easy to get to and move through

• Legibility - create a place that is easy to navigate

• Adaptability - design a place that adapts to future community needs

• Diversity - create a place with variety and choice.

21

A New Employment SiteAs identified by Winchester Town Council Employment Needs Group, there is a need to find small sites in New Alresford to provide the opportunity for businesses to remain or relocate into the town.

These images represent good precedents for employment and elderly care. The employment area can potentially accommodate low rise office buildings and warehouses framed by high quality landscaped areas which respond to the surrounding environment.

The employment area represents a unique opportunity for the village and would provide a local jobs in an extremely sustainable location, being close to nearby shops and other key facilities (thereby encouraging the reduction of car usage).

There is a potential for a land swap with the Dean if feasible and deemed appropriate at the time.

There is potential, if deemed appropriate, to provide an elderly care home, set sensitively within the site.

23

PAGE HEADING LINE 1LINE 2 IF NEEDED

• A readily available, deliverable and viable site to meet the needs of New Alresford;

• Close proximity to the town centre, within walking distance;

• The ability to provide for New Alresford’s housing, employment, open space and transport needs all in one sustainable location;

• Ability to improve movement and access within the town centre and along Sun Lane through public realm and infrastructural measures; and

• The ability to accommodate needs of New Alresford, up to 2031.

• The ability to provide new public open space, including formal and informal recreation, new equipped play spaces, sports and community facilities;

• Ideally located close to local shops and facilities, up to 320 new homes, of varied tenure, including affordable homes, small and large family homes and provision for elderly care (if desirable), all with direct access to the A31; and

• A new area of employment to the south of the town accessed directly via the A31, providing for a mix of business and commercial use types and a new burial ground.

• A deliverable and importantly viable new junction link to the A31.

Seaward Properties is committed to working with local residents and community representatives of New Alresford in helping to bring forward a high-quality, thorough masterplan for the future uses of the site.

KEY BENEFITS OF SUN LANE INCLUDE:

PAGE HEADING LINE 1LINE 2 IF NEEDEDAPPENDICES

PLANNING CONTEXT

Planning Policy The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) supports up-to-date local planning policies and states that planning applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. However, a major material consideration is the adequate supply of housing land and the NPPF requires Local Authorities to demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply with an additional 5% buffer to provide choice and competition, which should be increased to 20% where there has been a persistent under delivery of housing. NPPF Para 49 states: ‘Housing applications should be considered in the context of the presumption in favour of sustainable development. Relevant policies for the supply of housing should not be considered up-to-date if the local planning authority cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites.’

The ‘development plan’ referred to in the NPPF includes the Winchester District Local Plan Part 1 – Joint Core Strategy (adopted March 2013) Policy MTRA 2 - Market Towns and Larger Villages, which states:

‘The Local Planning Authority supports the evolution of the larger settlements in the Market Towns and Rural Area to maintain and improve their role and function and to meet a range of local development needs through :

In Bishops Waltham and New Alresford, provision for about 500 new homes in each settlement and provision for about 250 new homes in each of the following settlements:- Colden Common, Denmead, Kings Worthy, Swanmore, Waltham Chase, and Wickham.

Economic and commercial growth will be supported to maintain and improve the shopping, service, tourism and employment roles of these settlements where consistent with their role in the hierarchy of retail centres. Proposals for new floorspace of 500 sq. m. or more outside defined centres will need to demonstrate that it would not have a harmful impact on the centre. There should be improvements to public transport provision, where possible, and development should be appropriate in scale and result in a more sustainable community by improving the balance between housing, employment and services. Existing facilities, services and employment provision should be retained or improved to serve the settlements and their catchment areas.

Housing, employment, retail and services should be accommodated through development and redevelopment opportunities within existing settlement boundaries in the first instance. Sites outside settlement boundaries will only be permitted where, following an assessment of capacity within the built-up area, they are shown to be needed, or to meet a community need or realise local community aspirations identified through a Neighbourhood Plan or other process which demonstrates clear community support. Uses which are essential to the role and function of the settlement, or to maintaining the balance between housing, employment and services, may be relocated if they can be re-provided in a location which is as at least as suitable and accessible and if proposals for the re-use of vacated land and premises are also acceptable.

All new development should be appropriate in scale and design and conserve each settlement’s identity, countryside setting, key historic characteristics and local

features, particularly as identified in Village Design Statements, the District Landscape Assessment or other guidance. Development should protect areas designated for their local, national, or international importance, such as Gaps and the South Downs National Park.’

The descriptive text states that this policy will be delivered through a combination of development within existing defined built-up areas and planned greenfield releases and the need for any greenfield sites will be assessed, and allocations undertaken as necessary, through Local Plan Part 2 or a Neighbourhood Plan/community plan, with existing settlement boundaries retained in the meantime.

The existing defined built-up areas are reflected in currently ‘saved’ local planning policies of the Winchester Local Plan Review (2006) Policy H3 and inset maps.

Strategic Housing Land Availability AssessmentThe Winchester Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) identifies the land at Langton’s Farm, Sun Lane as SHLAA site 277 and recognises that the land is available for development.

Local Plan Stage 1 Assessment Criteria This land at Sun Lane has already passed the initial assessment of SHLAA sites through the Local Planning Authority’s Stage 1 Site Sieve Process. The following table summarises our assessment of Sun Lane in relation to the Stage 1 checklist.

27

Our Proposed Site : SHLAA Reference 277, Sun Lane, New AlresfordKey Requirement Red (Problem) Amber (Issue to Address) Green

Designated Sites inc SAC, SPA, RRAMSAR, SSSI, SINC, Listed Building, Ancient Monument Site not covered by any designation.

Non Recorded Sites including archaeological features or non designated biodiversity Site not affected.

Presence of Mineral Resources Site not affected.

Trees and Planting No protected trees on site.

Overhead Power Cables or Oil Pipelines

Overhead power lines affect part of site but can be addressed through appropriate design and layout.

Water Courses and Flooding Site lies in flood zone 1 - minimum risk.Separation of Settlements Site not within a designated strategic gap.

Proximity to Services The site is well located with access to the range of town centre facilities.

Access The site has direct access onto an adopted road.Landfill or contamination No previous landfill or known risk of contamination.Site Availability Site available now.

Site Ownership Site in single ownership and promoted for development by landowner.

The Council’s assessment states that, on completion of stage 1, those sites categorised as predominantly ‘green’, possibly including some ‘amber’, will then be assessed in more detail by City Council officers in partnership with local communities, in terms of transport, ecology, flooding, infrastructure etc, to determine in more detail their availability, suitability and development potential and possible inclusion in an ‘Issues and Options’ version of Local Plan Part 2. These matters are now addressed in this current submission.

New Alresford Profile In January 2013, the Local Planning Authority produced a Data Set for New Alresford which included the following feedback largely based on Blueprint responses.

What makes New Alresford special?

• ‘New Alresford is a popular place to live in, nestled in attractive countryside with reasonable road links with easy access to many major conurbations in the southeast. Residents feel it is a cheerful and friendly community with a compact town centre, clear town boundaries and beautiful surrounding countryside. There is a strong sense of community’. (Alresford Healthcheck 2008)

• There is a ‘splendid array of independent suppliers of goods and services which is a determining factor in the make-up of the town’s character’. (Alresford Healthcheck 2008)

• The river is a valuable asset to the area (Blueprint response)

What do you see as the main opportunities for New Alresford? • There is an opportunity to plan for growth to

‘increase the proportion of the population that is economically active and to ensure that businesses can thrive in Alresford and be attracted to it’ (Alresford Healthcheck 2008)

• There is an opportunity to relocate some of the industrial/employment sites within the town to allow these sites to be redeveloped to meet the needs of the town. (Alresford Healthcheck 2008)

• There is an opportunity to provide affordable housing in the surrounding villages rather than just in the town (Blueprint response).

• There is potential to redevelop some of the school sites (Blueprint response).

29

PLANNING CONTEXT

What are the challenges facing New Alresford over the next 20 years? • Provision of affordable housing

• Retaining identity and character of Town

• Supporting an ageing population

• Providing good public or alternative transport links

• Regulating lorry movements in town

• Supporting agricultural production

• Supporting the mix of small independent businesses and retailers;

• Encouraging new enterprises to attract other age groups to stay

• Providing additional recreational space needed

• Making sure infrastructure is provided to meet the needs of Alresford

• Enable lower income local workers to live/remain in Alresford

• Adapting for climate change

• Ensure that the low carbon economy provides local employment for local people

• Attract tourism

New Alresford Town Council Findings In addition, following Winchester City Council’s launch of the Local Plan Part 2 process in January 2013, the Town Council has considered the development needs of the town, focussing around four “Needs Groups”. Selected findings of the Needs Groups include:

1. Education a. Pre School; more spaces will be needed b. Infant and Junior, current sites have capacity

c. Secondary, assumed additional needs will be met on existing Perins site.

2. Services a. Dentist, satisfactory b. Doctors Surgery, can be developed on current site

c. Additional land for the provision of nursing and dementia care is required

d. Adaptable accommodation for people needing extra care within dwellings will be necessary to cater for growth in the over 75 age group

e. Higher speed Broadband is required

f. Burial Ground, inadequate capacity for the future and 2ha of additional land is required to provide traditional and green burial grounds

3. Transport a. HCC have identified the following needs:

• Improvements to the junction of Spring Gardens and New Farm Road

• Improvements to the junction of the B2177/Jacklyns Lane/Spring Gardens

• Junction signalisation and pedestrian phasing Jacklyns Ln/PoundHill/West St.

• Station Road improvements and access to Station Car Park

b. New development should provide or improve foot and cycle routes connecting to all parts of the town

c. Road problems on Sun Lane regarding school drop offs and speeding

d. Widen footpaths on the south side of West Street

e. Provide recreation foot and cycle paths to east and west of the town

f. Parking, existing town centre car parks should be retained and depending on the type and location of new homes it may be necessary to identify and provide additional town centre parking

4. Open Space a. Against the open space standards set in LP1,

29

Alresford has an existing shortfall in open space of 15.37 ha, which will increase with planned population growth to 20.37ha by 2031. A proportion of this shortfall will need to be met within future housing sites. Specific suggestions for satisfying the general requirement include:

• One or more allotment sites - 0.5 ha in total

• A cricket ground that could provide facilities for runners - 1.5 ha

• A need for facilities particularly for youth rugby and mini-rugby purposes - 2.0 ha

• Additional tennis courts - 0.5 ha in total

• New equipped Children’s Play areas

• A BMX Park

5. Housing a. The present assumption is that no more than 56 dwellings can be provided on brownfield sites within the current settlement boundary. Sites beyond the current town centre should be developed at a density of 30 per ha. b. If industry re-locates, that would provide significant brownfield sites close to the town centre, in an ideal position for higher density development.

c. The Needs Group concluded that:

• Around half the need for housing over the next twenty years will be for small dwellings (two and three bedroom)

• Of the smaller dwellings, the general consensus was that people prefer two-bedroom rather than one-bedroom dwellings

• Around half for larger dwellings (three bedrooms plus)

• There will be a need for a comprehensive sheltered/nursing facility

6. Employment a. Currently some 38% of the existing population works in Alresford, excluding teleworkers and home-based businesses (a further 9% or so). Given the expected population growth over the plan period, opportunities would need to provide for additional jobs to maintain a similar proportion. b. There is a need to find sites of between 1.5 and

3 hectares for new business/commercial parks to provide the opportunity for businesses to remain or locate in Alresford, and secure some of the extra jobs required. Where new sites are considered for commercial activity, careful planning will be necessary to prevent the current inconvenience arising from access for large vehicles, and employees parking on

residential streets.

c. New or replacement employment sites will need to provide energy efficient adaptable buildings, with appropriate access to the road network, secure power supplies, and sufficient land area to meet business related and staff parking needs.

d. High speed high resilient data communications are essential to support existing businesses, and attract new employers to the town. Such provision could also address the broadband needs of the town, and villages, on a subscription basis.

e. No significant additional retail space is needed.

f. Tourism forms a significant and growing part of the local economy but considered that further development would need to balance the needs of residents and visitors.

7. NATC Estimate of Land Requirements by 2031

Housing 14 haCommercial 3 haOpen space - new development

5 ha

Open space - existing population

15 ha

Burial ground 5 haTOTAL 39 ha

31

PLANNING CONTEXT

Winchester District Local Plan Part 2 In October 2014 the Local Planning Authority resolved to publish for public consultation the Winchester District Local Plan Part 2- Development Management and Site Allocations (LP2). The purpose of the document is set out detailed planning policies and to allocate non strategic development sites to meet the requirements of the adopted Local Plan Part 1 (see policy MTRA2 detailed earlier).

The LP2 Policy NA2 proposes that land at The Dean is allocated for 65 dwellings and include the provision of office development to meet local needs and additional public car parking (50-100 spaces) close to the town centre, as well as housing suitable for the elderly to help meet local housing needs in a highly accessible location. Such redevelopment is conditional upon serviced land suitable for business relocation being made available at Sun Lane in accordance with policy NA3.

Policy NA3 Sun Lane Mixed Use Allocation states;Land east of Sun Lane, as shown on the Policies Map, is allocated for a mixed use development comprising about 320 dwellings, 5 hectares of employment uses (B1, B2 and/or B8), and 15 hectares of informal and recreational open space and a burial ground. Planning permission will be granted provided that detailed proposals accord with other relevant policies and meet the following specific development requirements:

Nature & Phasing of Development• Produce a masterplan for the whole allocated

area, to be agreed in advance of permission being granted, providing for integrated development of the proposed uses, producing a transport

assessment identifying a package of transport measures to accommodate the development, establishing design and development principles, and proposing key areas of landscape and buffer planting;

• Provide for housing development on about 10 hectares of land to the north of the site; business development and a new access to Alresford Bypass on about 5 hectares to the south of the site, designed so as to minimise harmful impacts on existing or proposed housing by keeping potentially harmful uses to the east of the site and providing adequate landscape buffers; and open space of various types and a burial ground on about 15 hectares in the central part of the site;

• A phasing plan establishing the order of development and infrastructure provision for all of the allocated area should be produced and agreed in advance of permission being granted. This should achieve the provision of the new access to Alresford Bypass in advance of business uses being developed, ensure that serviced land for business uses is made available before the completion of housing units, and secure affordable housing provision in step with market housing. The phasing of open space provision should also be agreed and set out within the phasing plan.

• Proposals for individual parts of the site may be brought forward provided they are designed in accordance with the masterplan and follow the stages set out in the phasing plan, including providing business land, open space and other

facilities (including affordable housing) at the appropriate stage, and do not prejudice the development of subsequent phases.

Access • Access the site should be primarily from the

south by means of a new junction onto the A31 Alresford Bypass to be provided as the first phase of development;

• Include measures to provide new/improved pedestrian and cycle access from the site into the town centre, between elements of the development, and to the surrounding development and countryside, including off-site improvements as necessary;

• Include measures to discourage use of motorised transport and to manage traffic so as to minimise the impact of development on nearby residential roads, particularly Sun Lane, Nursery Road and Tichborne Down;

• Produce a transport assessment setting out how transport requirements, including those above, will be secured and the stages at which they need to be provided. This should include off-site vehicle, pedestrian and cycle improvements to be provided or funded by the development.

Landscape • Reinforce existing boundaries around the site,

particularly along the eastern edge;

• Provide suitable boundary treatment on the western edges of the proposed housing and business sites to protect the amenities of existing

31

housing.

Green Infrastructure and Open Space

• Provide about 15 hectares of open space in the central part of the site, designed to achieve a major new open area for the community providing for a range of current and future needs. The area should be carefully designed, integrating the burial ground and different types of open space, which may include Parks and Recreation Grounds, Natural Green Space, Informal Open Space, Allotments, and Children’s Play Space;

• Provide on-site open space within the proposed housing site (Informal Open Space and Local Equipped Area for Play).

Infrastructure

• Contribute to the expansion of Sun Hill Infants and Junior Schools and other infrastructure needed to make the development acceptable in planning terms.

The lower case text to the consultation draft says that following public concerns a proposed travellers site was removed from the proposals. Also further assessment and consultation on other sites promoted in the SHLAA indicated public opposition to other potential sites and the Council’s view is ‘that any alternative combination of available sites would neither be able to provide for as many of the identified local needs as the proposed strategy nor result in a better package of development.’

NURSERY ROAD

SPR

ING

WAY

OAK HILL

ARLEBURY PARKBARNS

OA

KH

ILLDE LUCY AVENUE

AR

L EBURY PARK

ARLEBU

RY

PARK

OA K HILL

ANDOVER DROVE

HAIG ROAD

LADYWELL

LANE

THES

OK

E

JESTY ROAD

ELM ROAD

POUND HILL

THORNTONC

LOSE

SALISBUR

YR

OAD

STATION

RO

AD

BEN

END

EN

GRE

EN

EAST STREET

BRO

ADS

TRE

ET

BISHOPS SUTTON ROAD

BRID

GE

RO

AD

VERNAL LANE

WINDSOR ROAD

PROSPECT ROAD

RO

SEBERYR

OAD

WHITEHILL LANE

THEDEAN

WIN

CHESTER ROAD

SPRING GARDENS

GRANGE ROAD

THE AVENUE

TICHBORNE DOWN

NEWFARM

RO

AD

ALRESFORD BYPASS

BE

E

C H RO

AD

OR

CH

AR

D

CLO

SE

ARLE GARDENS

MERYO

NRO

AD

SOUTH ROAD

MILL H

ILL

ASHBURTON ROAD

SU

NH

ILL CRESCENT

WH

ITE

HIL

LLA

NE

RIVER

SIDE

FARM

LANE

LINNETS ROAD

DROVELANE

DROVELA

NE

JACKLY

NS

LAN

E

MITFO

RDR

OAD

NA3

NA3

NA3

NA2

DM1

DM8DM8

DM7

DM27, DM28

DM5

DM1

DM5

DM5

DM5

DM5

NA1NA1

DM1

DM1

458000

458000

459000

459000

1320

00

13200

0

1330

00

13300

0

Key

Map 10 New Alresford© Crown copyright and database right 2014Ordnance Survey 100019531±

New Alresford LP2 Policy Areas Plan

33

ECOLOGY PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

IntroductionThe site consists of an arable field of approximately 30ha that forms part of Langtons Farm set on the edgeof the village of New Alresford in Hampshire (GridReference SU 591322).

It should be noted that the site is not within anenvironmentally sensitive area and historicallyhas been intensively farmed, which has resulted inlimited ecological value generally, aside from the fieldboundaries. The development proposals will protectthese existing field boundaries and will provideadditional open space, which will be designed toimprove the overall ecological valueof the site.

Baseline ConditionsThe site was initially surveyed in August 2012.The desk study revealed that a single Site of SpecialScientific Interest (SSSI) designated of regional tonational importance is present within 1km of thesite, Alresford Pond SSSI designated for its richaquatic plant community as a eutrophic lake in achalk stream valley. The River Itchen Special Area ofConservation (SAC) is within 2km of the site. Thedata search records the UK BAP Priority Habitatof lowland mixed deciduous woodland along the eastern /northern boundary and the protected Hazel

Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius is present in this priority habitat.

Habitats and VegetationThe site is made up of an arable field bounded byhedge with standard mature trees on the boundariesand small woodlands to the east. To the west of thesite is housing, and to the east, north and south thelandscape is open farmland mostly under arable. Thearable land present on site is typical of arable sitesin the wider Hampshire Downs, being intensivelymanaged with very little arable margins. Theboundaries of the site are mostly mature tree/hedgeboundaries. Two small field units to the south of thesite constitute areas of semi improved calcareousgrassland are bound by mature trees and hedgerow.There is a single disused agricultural barn.

BirdsThe habitat on site for nesting birds is mostly restricted to the mature field boundaries and area of permanent grassland in the small field units to the south.Common farm land birds and garden birds are likelyto use the site. Ground nesting birds (such as Skylark Alauda arvensis) are locally present.

BatsThe habitats on site that are suitable for roosting batsare restricted to the mature tree field boundarieswhich act as potential roosting sites, foraging andcommuting routes.

DormouseThe mature tree boundaries around the site havepopulations of the protected Hazel DormouseMuscardinus avellanarius.

ReptilesCommon reptiles have been recorded on site. Habitats include field boundaries and rough grassland/ruderal vegetation edges to the arable fields and hedgerows.

Opportunities for Ecological Enhancement & MitigationA detailed ecological mitigation strategy for retained and newly created habitats on site will be prepared, with regard to maintaining existing habitats of value and used by protected species, and creating new habitat in open spaces around a new scheme. These new habitats will be designed to provide benefits to the protected species highlighted in the baseline survey work. Long term management commitments

THIS SUMMARY IS BASED ON THE ECOLOGICALAPPRAISAL REPORT PUBLISHED BY ALUCO ECOLOGYLTD IN SEPTEMBER 2012. DETAILED PROTECTEDSPECIES, SURVEYS HAVE ALSO BEENONGOING IN 2013 & 2014.

33

will ensure that local biodiversity and wildlife will have new opportunities in the longer term.

Vegetation

The landscaping of the site should protect and enhance the mature tree hedge boundaries around the site. Root protection zones should be put in place and native species planting integrated into the soft landscaping strategy for the site.

Protected Species BirdsWorks to vegetation and the building should becarried out at a time of year when birds are not nesting (generally September to February). A range of bird nesting boxes could be integrated to the new scheme.

BatsMitigation includes retention and management of semi-improved grasslands to the south, and retention of older trees and hedge line boundaries as roosting, foraging and commuting routes. A range of roost units could be integrated to the new scheme.

DormouseA detailed mitigation strategy will be prepared for

Dormouse on site, with the aims of ensuring the population status of the species locally in the long term. Mitigation includes retention, buffering and management of older trees and hedge line boundaries as core used habitat and commuting / dispersal routes.

ReptilesMitigation should include retention and management where suitable reptile habitat is present, and creation of new habitats.

ConclusionA walkover ecological appraisal of the site was undertaken in August 2012 in order to provide an indication of the potential for habitats and species of conservation concern to be present on site. The main feature of the site is its mature treelines and hedges along the boundaries with use by protected species including Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius and Bats. The initial ecology appraisal recommended that the following surveys are carried out to inform the assessment of the site:

• A dormouse survey is undertaken (May-Nov) to ascertain presence or absence and the nature of the population if present.

• A reptile survey

• A assessment of the trees and hedgerows for bats,roosting, foraging and commuting,

• Further vegetation survey, particularly in spring early summer

• Baseline on birds and invertebrates

All these surveys have been commenced and will feed into the development of the masterplan to ensure that the local wildlife and biodiversity is taken into account, and that suitable mitigation measures and biodiversity opportunities are provided within the scheme.

35

FRA & DRAINAGE PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

Existing DrainageFlood RiskThe site is located with Flood Zone 1 and has been subject to a separate Flood Risk Assessment by AKSWard Ltd, dated February 2013. The site is concluded as being at low risk of flooding.

Foul WaterThere is no foul drainage currently serving the site. Southern Water public foul sewers are located to the west of the site.

Surface WaterThere is no positive surface water drainage system serving the site, drainage is via infiltration into the ground.

The site is not known to flood. Surface water highway drainage exists along Sun Lane adjacent to the site.

Drainage CapacitiesFoul WaterSouthern Waters planning engineer has advised that there is permit headroom at the New Alresford Waster Water Treatment (WTW) to accommodate additional development, however, investment will be required to provide treatment capacity. Southern Water would look to phase provision of treatment capacity in line with development.

Existing foul sewerage is located in Sun Lane adjacent to the site. Foul drainage capacity checks are to be undertaken during outline design.

Southern Water is working on several current problems in the area. It is known that in some areas

of the town storm water causes overloading of the foul water system. Southern Water is undertaking investigatory work into this problem. The strategy is to connected directly to WTW with new rising main.

Surface WaterSouthern Water will resist any surface water connection into their surface water sewers and will not allow surface water flows to be connected to their foul sewers where other means of surface water disposal are available.

Highway drainage if required to be connected to existing drainage in Sun Lane will be required to be attenuated.

Drainage ProposalsFoul WaterThe design of the new below ground foul drainage system will be in accordance with the Building Regulations Approval Document Part H, BS EN 752 : 2008, Sewers for Adoption 7th Edition and, if applicable at the time, the new mandatory build standards for drainage.

Surface Water

The surface water drainage system will be split, each having separate criteria in terms of design, adoption and maintenance. These systems can be described as follows:

• Private Drainage: This describes the piped network draining individual houses or commercial buildings. Private drainage is currently designed in accordance with Building Regulations and is owned and maintained by the

building owner.

• SUDS Features: The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 encourages the use of sustainable drainage in new developments and requires drainage systems to be approved by a SuDS Approving Body (SAB), which will be the unitary or County Council for the area. The Act also places a duty on the local authority to adopt and maintain SuDS, providing that they serve more than one property and have been completed to their satisfaction.

• Adopted Public Surface Sewers: The Statutory Drainage Authority, in this case Southern Water, can adopt and maintain sewers in the surface water network. These sewers must be designed in accordance with ‘Sewers for Adoption 7th Edition’ and the mandatory build standards. They must only drain areas of hard paving and roofs. No groundwater or water courses can enter adopted systems as this is classified as land drainage.

• Highway Drainage: Drains which only serve the public highway are the responsibility of the Highway Authority. They are designed in accordance with the Highway Authority specification and Guidelines which are based upon Design Manual for Roads and Bridges published by the Highway Agency.

• Land Drainage: Groundwater and water running in watercourses is classified as land drainage and is the responsibility of the local authority and the Environment Agency.

SuDS features, including porous paving and underground storage tanks will be situated on private

35

land and will serve a single curtilage; therefore they are likely to be maintained by the property owner or by an appointed management company. Surface water sewers that extend outside the curtilage of the site will be offered for adoption by Southern Water.

The design of the below ground surface water drainage system will be in accordance with the Building Regulations Approval Document Part H, BS EN 752 : 2008, CIRIA 697, future mandatory build standards and, where appropriate, Sewers for Adoption 7th Edition.

In accordance with current best practice guidelines the new surface water drainage system will be designed to ensure no flooding below the 1 in 30 year plus climate change event and using the following design return periods:

• 1 in 2yr no climate change

• 1 in 30 yr + 10 % climate change

• Design flood check for 1 in 100yr + 30 % climate change

The site will be modelled using the industry design standard Micro Drainage computer software programme WinDes.

Soakaways will be designed for the 1 in 10 year event in accordance to BRE Digest 365, supplemented by above ground storage up to the 1 in 100 year event plus climate change allowance of +30%. The on site surface water drainage system will be designed to surcharge but not flood in the 1 in 30 year event. In the event that the 1-in-100-year storm intensity is exceeded, building openings and floor levels will be designed such that excess water is directed away from

buildings via overland flood flow paths to temporary storage in the car park and public open space areas entirely contained within site.

Drainage LayoutFoul and surface water drainage will be subject to outline design following completion of the master planning exercise and detailed design following grant of planning permission.

Foul WaterSubject to capacity checks to be undertaken during outline design, it is proposed to connect the development to existing public foul sewers located to the west of the site in Sun Lane.Surface WaterSustainable drainage systems using infiltration techniques are proposed to control surface water at source onsite and, if applicable, to limit any surface water discharge off the site to current Greenfield runoff rates.

MaintenanceThe drainage systems will be designed to achieve self-cleansing velocities in the pipe-work network. Within the surface water system catchpits and deep pot trapped gullies will be detailed where appropriate at strategic points within the surface water drainage systems to intercept silt and debris which may be washed into the system.

Pollution PreventionPollution control will occur through silt collection in catchpits in the below ground piped drainage network, oil interceptors serving the hardstanding areas and

settlement of silts in attenuation/ infiltration facilities.

ConclusionThe foul and surface water drainage systems will be designed to comply with current guidelines and legislation. The drainage will be offered for Adoption by Southern Water and the local authority SuDS Approving Body wherever possible.

There is permit headroom at the New Alresford WTW however, phased investment will be required to provide treatment capacity in line with the proposed development. Subject to capacity checks to be undertaken during outline design, it is proposed to connect the development to existing public foul sewers located to the west of the site in Sun Lane.

The site is located within Flood Zone 1 and is at low risk of flooding. Sustainable drainage systems using infiltration techniques are proposed to control and dispose of surface water at source on-site.

37

TRANSPORT & ACCESS STRATEGY PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT

IntroductionRussell Giles Partnership (RGP) on the instructions of Seaward Properties Limited together with key stakeholders, most notably New Alresford Town Council (NATC), Winchester District Council (WDC) and Hampshire County Council (HCC), in its capacity as local highway authority, have undertaken additional assessment work to refine the Transport and Access Strategy for the mixed-use development proposals on land at the Sun Lane site, to the east of Sun Lane in New Alresford.

The requirement for New Alresford to maintain and enhance its role as a market town by accommodating housing and employment development is set out in Policy MTRA2 ‘Market Towns and Villages’ of WDC’s Local Plan Part 1 – Joint Core Strategy, which was adopted on 20th March 2013. Following the undertaking of a detailed assessment by WDC in collaboration with NATC, to establish the specific development needs of New Alresford, 2 preferred sites including the Vision site (SHLAA site 277) and an existing employment area at The Dean (SHLAA site 276) were put forward for consideration. As stated in WDC’s Local Plan Part 2 ‘Development Management and Site Allocations’ (Draft for Consideration by

Cabinet and Council - Sept / Oct 2014), “the land at Sun Lane was considered the best means of meeting the various development needs identified in New Alresford and would require a new access point onto the A31 Alresford Bypass.”

The development proposals on the Sun Lane site are evolving through the consultative masterplanning process and currently comprise circa 320 residential units (Use Class C3), up to 5 hectares of employment land (Use Classes B1, B2 and / or B8), and 15 hectares of informal and recreational open space and a burial ground. Vehicular access to the site will primarily be via the creation of a new junction onto the A31 Alresford Bypass.

The site, as a consequence of its location on the eastern periphery of New Alresford benefits from being accessible to the town centre and the neighbouring residential areas through the existing provision of pedestrian and public transport infrastructure / services. In addition to the presence of local bus stops served by services providing connectivity to the nearby settlements of Alton, Petersfield and Winchester, the town centre contains

THIS TRANSPORT AND ACCESS SUMMARY HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY RGP IN RESPECT OF THE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AT SUN LANE, NEW ALRESFORD

a good range of facilities and services (see Plan 1 opposite) catering for the day-to-day needs of residents; the majority of which are accessible by the ‘active’ modes of walking and cycling (see Plan 2, page 40). On this basis, future end-users (i.e. residents and visitors) of the proposed development will be afforded numerous opportunities to travel by alternative means, thereby reducing their reliance on private car.

Bus Number

Route Summary

Typical Frequency

Hours of Operation

64 Winchester - Alton

Mon-Sat: 2 per hour

Sun: 5 per day

Mon-Sat: 06:15-21.10

Sun: 09.13-17.13

67 Winchester- West Meon- Hut - Petersfield

Mon-Sat: 2 per hour

Sun: 5 per day

Mon-Sat: 07:17-18.19

Sun: 09.29-18.19

240 Alresford Local Service

Mon & Thur:

4 services per day

Mon & Thur: 09:10-14.09

37

Plan 01Job No:

Oct 2014Plan No:

Title:

Project:

Client:

Seaw ard Properties Limited

Rev:Approved By:Checked By:Drawn By:

- -

Transport Planning and Infrastructure Design ConsultantsThe Old Stables, Fry’s Yard, Bridge Street,

Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1HPTel: 01483 861681 Fax: 01483 861682

www.rgp.co.uk

-

Date:13/1718

PJB

Site Location and Accessibility Plan

Langton’s Farm, Sun Lane, New Alresford

NTSScale:

LEGEND

SITE LOCATION

LOCAL BUS STOPS

ISOCHRONE

CYCLE ROUTES

PUBLIC FOOTPATH

EDUCATION

LEISURE / RECREATION

RETAIL

HEALTH CARE

EMPLOYMENT

PARKING

Bus Number

Route Summary Typical Frequency Hours of Operation

64 Winchester –Alton Mon-Sat: 2 per hourSun: 5 per day

Mon-Sat: 06:15-21:10Sun: 09.13-17:13

67 Winchester - West MeonHut - Petersfield

Mon-Sat: 2 per hourSun: 5 per day

Mon-Fri 07:17-18:19Sat: 09:29-18:19

240 Alresford Local Service Mon & Thur: 4 services per day

Mon & Thur: 09:10 –14:09

Plan 1 : Facilities and Services

Plan 01Job No:

Oct 2014Plan No:

Title:

Project:

Client:

Seaward Properties Limited


- -



www.rgp.co.uk

-

Date:13/1718

PJB



NTSScale:

LEGEND

SITE LOCATION

LOCAL BUS STOPS

ISOCHRONE

CYCLE ROUTES

PUBLIC FOOTPATH

EDUCATION


RETAIL

HEALTH CARE

EMPLOYMENT

PARKING

Bus Number


64 Winchester – Alton Mon‐Sat: 2 per hourSun: 5 per day

Mon‐Sat: 06:15‐21:10Sun: 09.13‐17:13

67 Winchester ‐West MeonHut ‐ Petersfield

Mon‐Sat: 2 per hourSun: 5 per day

Mon‐Fri 07:17‐18:19Sat: 09:29‐18:19


Mon & Thur: 09:10 –14:09

Parking: Free – Max. 2 hours – No return within 2 hours

Golf Course

Playing Fields

Primary School

Secondary School

Town Centre

GP Surgery

Industrial Estate

Industrial Estate

site location

Local bus stops

isochrone

cycle routes

public footpath

education

leisure / recreation

retail

health care

industrial estates

parking

existing solar farm

Key

Plan 01Job No:

Oct 2014Plan No:

Title:

Project:

Client:



- -



www.rgp.co.uk

-

Date:13/1718

PJB



NTSScale:

LEGEND

SITE LOCATION

LOCAL BUS STOPS

ISOCHRONE

CYCLE ROUTES

PUBLIC FOOTPATH

EDUCATION


RETAIL

HEALTH CARE

EMPLOYMENT

PARKING

Bus Number



Mon‐Sat: 06:15‐21:10Sun: 09.13‐17:13



Mon‐Fri 07:17‐18:19Sat: 09:29‐18:19


Mon & Thur: 09:10 –14:09


Golf Course

Playing Fields

Primary School

Secondary School

Town Centre

GP Surgery

Industrial Estate

Industrial Estate

Plan 01Job No:

Oct 2014Plan No:

Title:

Project:

Client:



- -



www.rgp.co.uk

-

Date:13/1718

PJB



NTSScale:

LEGEND

SITE LOCATION

LOCAL BUS STOPS

ISOCHRONE

CYCLE ROUTES

PUBLIC FOOTPATH

EDUCATION


RETAIL

HEALTH CARE

EMPLOYMENT

PARKING

Bus Number



Mon‐Sat: 06:15‐21:10Sun: 09.13‐17:13



Mon‐Fri 07:17‐18:19Sat: 09:29‐18:19


Mon & Thur: 09:10 –14:09


Golf Course

Playing Fields

Primary School

Secondary School

Town Centre

GP Surgery

Industrial Estate

Industrial Estate

Plan 01Job No:

Oct 2014Plan No:

Title:

Project:

Client:



- -



www.rgp.co.uk

-

Date:13/1718

PJB



NTSScale:

LEGEND

SITE LOCATION

LOCAL BUS STOPS

ISOCHRONE

CYCLE ROUTES

PUBLIC FOOTPATH

EDUCATION


RETAIL

HEALTH CARE

EMPLOYMENT

PARKING

Bus Number



Mon‐Sat: 06:15‐21:10Sun: 09.13‐17:13



Mon‐Fri 07:17‐18:19Sat: 09:29‐18:19


Mon & Thur: 09:10 –14:09


Golf Course

Playing Fields

Primary School

Secondary School

Town Centre

GP Surgery

Industrial Estate

Industrial Estate

Plan 01Job No:

Oct 2014Plan No:

Title:

Project:

Client:



- -



www.rgp.co.uk

-

Date:13/1718

PJB



NTSScale:

LEGEND

SITE LOCATION

LOCAL BUS STOPS

ISOCHRONE

CYCLE ROUTES

PUBLIC FOOTPATH

EDUCATION


RETAIL

HEALTH CARE

EMPLOYMENT

PARKING

Bus Number



Mon‐Sat: 06:15‐21:10Sun: 09.13‐17:13



Mon‐Fri 07:17‐18:19Sat: 09:29‐18:19


Mon & Thur: 09:10 –14:09


Golf Course

Playing Fields

Primary School

Secondary School

Town Centre

GP Surgery

Industrial Estate

Industrial Estate

Plan 01Job No:

Oct 2014Plan No:

Title:

Project:

Client:



- -



www.rgp.co.uk

-

Date:13/1718

PJB



NTSScale:

LEGEND

SITE LOCATION

LOCAL BUS STOPS

ISOCHRONE

CYCLE ROUTES

PUBLIC FOOTPATH

EDUCATION


RETAIL

HEALTH CARE

EMPLOYMENT

PARKING

Bus Number



Mon‐Sat: 06:15‐21:10Sun: 09.13‐17:13



Mon‐Fri 07:17‐18:19Sat: 09:29‐18:19


Mon & Thur: 09:10 –14:09


Golf Course

Playing Fields

Primary School

Secondary School

Town Centre

GP Surgery

Industrial Estate

Industrial Estate

Plan 01Job No:

Oct 2014Plan No:

Title:

Project:

Client:



- -



www.rgp.co.uk

-

Date:13/1718

PJB



NTSScale:

LEGEND

SITE LOCATION

LOCAL BUS STOPS

ISOCHRONE

CYCLE ROUTES

PUBLIC FOOTPATH

EDUCATION


RETAIL

HEALTH CARE

EMPLOYMENT

PARKING

Bus Number



Mon‐Sat: 06:15‐21:10Sun: 09.13‐17:13



Mon‐Fri 07:17‐18:19Sat: 09:29‐18:19


Mon & Thur: 09:10 –14:09


Golf Course

Playing Fields

Primary School

Secondary School

Town Centre

GP Surgery

Industrial Estate

Industrial Estate

Plan 01Job No:

Oct 2014Plan No:

Title:

Project:

Client:



- -



www.rgp.co.uk

-

Date:13/1718

PJB



NTSScale:

LEGEND

SITE LOCATION

LOCAL BUS STOPS

ISOCHRONE

CYCLE ROUTES

PUBLIC FOOTPATH

EDUCATION


RETAIL

HEALTH CARE

EMPLOYMENT

PARKING

Bus Number



Mon‐Sat: 06:15‐21:10Sun: 09.13‐17:13



Mon‐Fri 07:17‐18:19Sat: 09:29‐18:19


Mon & Thur: 09:10 –14:09


Golf Course

Playing Fields

Primary School

Secondary School

Town Centre

GP Surgery

Industrial Estate

Industrial Estate

Parking: Free - max. 2 hours - no return within 2 hours

GP Surgery

Golf Course

1

2

3

4

4

Perins School

Sun Hill School

Arlesford County Library

town centre/Pound Hill

1

2

3

39

Plan 01Job No:

Jun 2014Plan No:

Title:

Project:

Client:Seawards Properties Limited


AMW PMR



www.rgp.co.uk-

Date:13/1718

RAA

Cyclist and Pedestrian Accessibility Plan


NTSScale:

SITE LOCATION

2KM WALKING ISOCHRONE

FOOTPATH

BRIDLEWAY

RESTRICTED BYWAY

LEGEND

LOCAL CYCLE ROUTES

NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK (NCN) ROUTE 23

Plan 2 : Accessibility Plan

Plan 01Job No:

Oct 2014Plan No:

Title:

Project:

Client:



- -



www.rgp.co.uk

-

Date:13/1718

PJB



NTSScale:

LEGEND

SITE LOCATION

LOCAL BUS STOPS

ISOCHRONE

CYCLE ROUTES

PUBLIC FOOTPATH

EDUCATION


RETAIL

HEALTH CARE

EMPLOYMENT

PARKING

Bus Number



Mon‐Sat: 06:15‐21:10Sun: 09.13‐17:13



Mon‐Fri 07:17‐18:19Sat: 09:29‐18:19


Mon & Thur: 09:10 –14:09


Golf Course

Playing Fields

Primary School

Secondary School

Town Centre

GP Surgery

Industrial Estate

Industrial Estate

site location

2km walking isochrone

footpath

bridleway

restricted byway

local cycle routes

national cycle network (ncn) route 23

existing solar farm

Key

39

Background ContextRGP has prepared five reports for Seaward Properties; the first in April 2010, outlined the access strategy further examined in this report; the second assessed the development potential of the site (February 2013); the third advised on development phasing (August 2013); the fourth considered an access option involving the B3047 (also August 2013) and the fifth presented the results of a Traffic Impact Assessment (June 2014) involving the creation of a bespoke model based on traffic survey data, developed by RGP to test various development scenarios including a ‘with’ and ‘without’ A31 junction.

An initial assessment of the anticipated traffic impact of the development proposals concluded that while a new junction at the A31 Alresford Bypass together with a link to the existing highway network along Sun Lane is very desirable from a transport planning perspective, it is not essential to the delivery of the residential component on the site. Notwithstanding this, it was further concluded that the creation of a new A31 junction would be instrumental in enhancing travel conditions in, around and through New Alresford.

Following consultation with HCC, additional transport planning work involving junction capacity assessments and the creation of a bespoke model was undertaken by RGP in order to gain a detailed understanding of the current and future operation of the local highway network in New Alresford, under several different scenarios. Indeed, Seaward Properties were requested to go well beyond what would normally be required to inform the Local

Plan process, given the implications of the new A31 junction on the local highway network of New Alresford; the investment needed and thus quantum of development to sustain its viability as part of the masterplanning.

The main outcome of this additional work revealed that were several ‘pinch points’ on the local highway network, which would be exacerbated by development in New Alresford town centre and the growth in background traffic, reaffirming the views of NATC.

This section of the Vision document draws together key aspects of the Transport and Access Strategy addressed in the preceding reports, as well as the results of the additional modelling exercise, undertaken by RGP in collaboration with HCC to assess the traffic impacts of the development proposals. It is concluded that the vehicular traffic generation associated with the mixed-use development proposals, together with the redistributed movements associated with the new A31 junction, can be accommodated on the local highway network without causing demonstrable harm to capacity, safety and amenity. Furthermore, New Alresford would in traffic terms be overall safer, and the infrastructure generally more convenient and attractive to existing and future residents, whether by way of good vehicular access for longer distance car-borne traffic via a new access at the A31, or by incentives to travel short distances to and from the town centre by non-car means, and disincentives to travel those short journeys by private car.

Given the work conducted to date, RGP is confident that a form of off-site works can be found that would ensure that the condition of safety or capacity on the local highway network near to the site would not be compromised. It is recognised that off-site works would be appropriate and necessary and these would be designed through the masterplanning work in communication with the stakeholders, including local community groups.

ObjectivesTo date and onward throughout the evolutionary process of the masterplan, the main objectives of the Transport and Access Strategy are to:

i) Optimise the opportunity to reduce private car use associated with the development proposals in favour of sustainable modes (i.e. public transport, walking and cycling) for various journey purposes, particularly over short distances;

ii) Redistribute traffic in New Alresford, principally by the provision of a new access at the A31 Alresford Bypass, thereby drawing longer distance traffic on to the principal road network; and

iii) Deliver the benefits of the A31 junction and associated infrastructure in a phased way, incorporating Construction Management Plans to minimise development disruption.

41

Existing SituationIn accordance with national and local planning policies, which aim to encourage the use of sustainable means of travel for various journey purposes, the site, as a consequence of its location on the eastern edge of New Alresford benefits from being within the maximum walking (2 kilometres) and cycling (5 kilometres) distances of key services and services, (as recommended by the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation). Most notably, the existing network of footways along Sun Lane, Haig Road and the public right of way, (Footpath No. 2), adjacent to Edward Terrace, provide a direct and continuous link to New Alresford town centre, located less than 1 kilometre to the north-west of the site. In addition, Whitehill Lane forms part of St Swithun’s Way; a long-distance footpath from Winchester to Farnham, which on a local level links the site to Bishops Sutton to the east and Ovington to the south-west.

With regards to cycling, a section of National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 23, which connects Reading to Southampton via Basingstoke, Alresford, Winchester and Eastleigh can be accessed at the junction of Jacklyns Lane and Nursery Road. This facilitates access to New Alresford town centre to the north and the New Farm Road Industrial Estate to the south.

The presence of bus stops along Nursery Road as well as opposite and adjacent to The Co-op store along Pound Hill, all within walking distance of the site provide a sustainable means of travel for both existing and future residents travelling to amenities located in New Alresford (i.e. via Bus No. 240) and

slightly further afield in the regional centres of Alton, Petersfield and Winchester (via Bus No. 64 and 67). Furthermore, opportunities for interchange with mainline national rail services operating from Alton, Petersfield and Winchester rail stations to a whole host of regional destinations including Bournemouth, London Waterloo, Portsmouth, Southampton Central, Weymouth can be achieved via the No.64 and 67 bus services, which operate on a frequent (i.e. every 30 and 120 minutes), Monday to Friday.

New Alresford, as defined in Winchester District Council’s Local Plan Part 2 ‘Development Management and Site Allocations’ (Draft for Consideration by Cabinet and Council - Sept / Oct 2014) is a small market town that contains a wide range of key amenities catering for the day-to-day needs of existing residents including a number of retail and convenience stores; several employment areas including The Dean, Broad Street and New Farm Road Industrial Estate; educational establishments (i.e. nursery, primary and secondary schools); healthcare, community and leisure services.

Proposed Transport and Access StrategyA31 Access

Policy NA3 of the Local Plan Part 2 relates to the Sun Lane Mixed Use Allocation and clearly states that “access to the site should be primarily from the south by means of a new junction onto the A31

Alresford Bypass to be provided as the first phase of development; include measures to provide new / improved pedestrian and cycle access from the site into the town centre, between elements of the development, and to the surrounding development and countryside, including off-site improvements as necessary; include measures to discourage use of motorised transport and to manage traffic so as to minimise the impact of development on nearby residential roads, particularly Sun Lane, Nursery Road and Tichborne Down; and produce a transport assessment setting out how transport requirements, including those above, will be secured and the stages at which they need to be provided. This should include off-site vehicle, pedestrian and cycle improvements to be provided or funded by the development.”

An initial junction design has been prepared but this will undergo refinement as the master planning process evolves. However, it is clear that the access in principle is deliverable within the public highway or land within the site.

The junction could deliver all vehicular movements bar right turns into the site from the east, which represent a relatively small proportion of the total flow. For potentially quicker and easier journeys, vehicular movements from the east intending to turn right into the site would be encouraged to U-turn at the A31 roundabout to the west. Local residents have raised concerns with HGV’s potentially using parts of the local highway network, which are

41

predominately residential in nature, to gain access to the commercial area of the development proposals. However, commercial vehicle are unlikely to travel through Bishop Sutton, New Alresford and the residential component of the proposed development to gain access to the commercial area, since the route is narrower and longer, leading to increased journey times and greater inefficiencies. In contrast, the A31 represents a more direct and less circuitous route to the commercial area of the proposed development and as a consequence would be more favourable to commercial drivers and operators. New signage and information to commercial tenants would stipulate the restriction of access through Bishop Sutton.

The data used to inform the A31 junction design indicates a substantive traffic demand bias from and to the west. With this in mind, the suggestion of providing an alternative link road from the site / Sun Lane to the B3047 would unnecessarily divert development related vehicular traffic (including HGVS), ultimately heading in a westbound direction towards Winchester and other destinations served by the SRN through the town centre, neighbouring residential roads and the village of Bishops Sutton. The increase in vehicular traffic movements would place greater pressure on the local highway network of New Alresford, resulting in demonstrable harm with respect to capacity, safety and amenity. Notwithstanding these concerns, an alternative link road to the B3047 could not be delivered to the Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) ‘Design Manual

for Roads and Bridges’ (DMRB) standards and in this regard is unlikely to pass a Stage 1 Road Safety Audit (RSA).

In contrast, the creation of a new A31 junction would be mainly used by development-related and redistributed existing traffic. Furthermore, the design of the A31 access has been subject to an independent redistributed existing traffic. Furthermore, the design of the A31 access has been subject to an independent Stage 1 RSA, which raised no significant highway safety concerns.

The principal transport-related advantages of the proposed A31 junction are:

i) That it would best serve convenient and safe access to / from the strategic road network, in particular to and from the west (e.g. to the A31 and Winchester);

ii) That the motorised traffic moving into and out of the area generally served by Sun Lane and Jacklyn Lane would substantively divert to the A31 access thereby alleviating parts of the local highway network to the benefit of safety, convenience and general amenity, which could be more conveniently used by other road users (cyclists, pedestrians and buses);

iii) The potential for Whitehill Lane to become a Green Link, which would provide an attractive route for those attending local schools and perhaps those working in the commercial area within the site; and

iv) Commercial uses, (including perhaps existing uses

elsewhere in New Alresford) could be located close to the A31 access, which could reduce the number of large commercial vehicles in the town centre

New Alresford as a whole would benefit from the development as proposed in the Vision, i.e. with primarily an access at the A31 as proposed. This would encourage a considerable proportion of existing and new non-local vehicular traffic onto and off the A31 with minimal impact on New Alresford’s existing local highway infrastructure. However, where a material increase in traffic is identified due to redistribution of traffic for example then, whilst work conducted to date shows that the effects would not be materially detrimental to the condition of capacity, safety or amenity, the Vision would deliver improvement in co-operation with the stakeholders through the planning process. As regards local traffic, given the A31 access and due to the proposed mix of uses on the site and master planning measures designed to complement current non-car infrastructure, a considerable modal shift away from the car for local movement would occur involving the existing and future community of New Alresford. Further to this, parts of the local highway network including the B3047 (The Avenue, Pound Hill, West Street and East Street), which runs through New Alresford would experience a reduction in HGV traffic.

43

ConclusionRGP has been instructed by Seaward Properties Limited to prepare a Transport and Access Strategy for the site in collaboration with NATC, WDC and HCC.

In summary, the section of the document demonstrates that:

1. The site, as a consequence of its location on the eastern edge of New Alresford benefits from being accessible by a variety of sustainable travel means including public transport and the ‘active’ modes of walking and cycling. In particular, the site is situated within walking distance of New Alresford town centre, which contains a good range of key local services and facilities, catering for the day-to-day needs of residents as well as provides opportunities for interchange with bus services facilitating frequent access to other nearby destinations including Alton, Petersfield and Winchester. In comparison with the other more peripheral sites considered as part of the SHLAA, the site will minimise the potential for short trips for various journey purposes (i.e. commuter, educational, shopping and leisure) to be undertaken by private car.

2. The results of RGP’s additional transport planning assessment work identified parts of the local highway network, in particular the B3047 West / East Street, B3046 Jacklyns Lane, and The Dean junction operates close to its theoretical capacity; a situation which would be further compounded by future development in New Alresford town centre as well as the predicted increase in background traffic growth. However, the creation of a new A31 junction would substantially divert long-distance vehicular movements from the existing highway network, relieving pressure on the

capacity of several key junctions.

3. The proposed Transport and Access Strategy for the site has received the in-principle support from HCC. Moreover, HCC accept that the A31 junction would not cause an unacceptable impact to the detriment of capacity, safety and amenity of the local highway network, subject to the implementation of mitigation measures.

4. The development proposals for the site provide a unique opportunity to relocate existing commercial uses from The Dean and elsewhere in New Alresford near to the A31 junction, which will facilitate direct access onto the principal road network. Consequently this will reduce the volume of HGVs travelling through the town and improve highway safety and amenity for the wider community of New Alresford.

5. While a link road connecting the site / Sun Lane to the B3047 has been proposed by local residents as an alternative to the A31 junction, such infrastructure is unlikely to deliver wider benefits to the local highway network of New Alresford, especially during the AM peak hour period, since the majority of vehicular traffic heads in a westerly direction towards the A31, Winchester and other major centres of employment accessed via the SRN, as opposed to travelling eastbound. Consequently, the provision of the alternative link will unnecessarily divert vehicular traffic through the town centre, neighbouring existing roads and the neighbouring village of Bishops Sutton, thereby having a detrimental impact on amenity. Notwithstanding this, it is unclear whether the alternative link road can be delivered from a technical design perspective, particularly in relation to the DfT’s

DMRB standards.

6. The proposed design of the A31 junction adheres to the DfT’s DMRB guidance and is deliverable within the public highway or land within the site. Further, the design of the A31 junction has been subject to a Stage 1 RSA, which raised no significant highway safety concerns.

7. A comprehensive Transport Assessment and Travel Plan will be prepared by RGP in accordance with the DfT’s and HCC’s ‘Guidance on Transport Assessment’.

With the benefit of HCC support to the principle of access at the A31, WCC endorses the comprehensive development of land east of Sun Lane, since it is “considered the best means of meeting the various development needs identified in New Alresford and would require a new access point onto the A31 Alresford Bypass.”

As part of any planning application, RGP will be preparing its Transport Assessment alongside the continuing consultation process to inform all stakeholders and the masterplanning of the site, and where local improvements on the transport networked are demand necessary or appropriate. This is so that on commencement of development, throughout construction, and on its completion the condition of safety, capacity and general amenity in New Alresford is improved for all the community whether travelling by car, bus cycle or on-foot.

43

2

1

3

4

5

Tichborne Down

Whitehill Lane

A31A31

Sun

Lane

6

N

Existing road network

Proposed A31 road network

Commencement of A31 east bound off slip

Eastbound on slip road

Whitehall Lane converted to Greenroute

Existing bridge utilised as access to westbound on slip

Retained access to existing properties

End of A31 east bound on slip

Existing Solar Farm

1

2

Key

3

4

5

6

Indicative location of the proposed A31 Junction, south of Sun Lane

45

vision document november 2014 - consultation …...the company’s considered approach to...

Documents