URBAN AREAS
All policies are superseded by policies from the Core
Strategy
54. The policies in this chapter seek to promote urban
regeneration through the concentration of development within the
urban areas which comprise Havant, including Leigh Park, the
western wards centred on Waterlooville, Emsworth and South Hayling.
The emphasis on renewal and investment in the urban areas is a
central feature of this Plan. The chapter draws attention to the
need for co-ordinated action to regenerate the housing estates at
Leigh Park and Wecock Farm which suffer from a range of social,
economic and environmental problems. Significant levels of
deprivation also exist in parts of Waterlooville and Hayling
Island.
UA1 CONCENTRATION OF
DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE URBAN AREAS
Development will be concentrated
within the urban areas of Havant, Waterlooville, Emsworth and South
Hayling as shown on the Proposals Map. Priority will be given to
the development of sites within the urban areas before peripheral
sites, in accordance with Policy UA2 and the sequential approach
for new housing, commercial and retail development as set out in
the Housing and Town, District and Local Centres
policies.
Outside the urban areas and the
other smaller settlements shown on the Proposals Map development
will only be permitted if it is consistent with the policies for
the countryside, coast and strategic gaps.
55. The boundaries of the urban areas,
reflecting existing and proposed developments, are shown on the
Proposals Map. Policies are included elsewhere in this Plan to
influence the nature, pattern and design of development in order to
ensure that the capacity of urban areas is maximised as far as
possible, consistent with the retention and creation of a high
quality environment. The implementation of this policy should
ensure that town cramming is avoided so that greenspaces are
retained and recreational provision is not reduced. However, some
peripheral development is likely to be needed but it should only
take place after sites in urban areas have been developed.
UA2 URBAN
REGENERATION
Development will be
permitted within the urban areas to contribute to social, economic
and physical regeneration, particularly where
it:
(i) Creates new employment
opportunities close to areas of high
unemployment.
(ii) Improves housing
provision including the development of affordable accommodation
which is accessible to those in greatest housing
need.
(iii) Enhances the quality
of life including improvements to the environment and to transport,
health, cultural and leisure facilities.
(iv) Achieves the
redevelopment of derelict, outworn or underused land or
buildings.
56. This policy establishes the
strategic emphasis of the Plan and the basis for a wide range of
proposals and initiatives which will lead to economic development
and environmental improvements. The urban areas and their
infrastructure are the Borough's major resource and their
regeneration is therefore a key aspect of sustainable development.
The need for regeneration is not the same across the Borough as
recognised by Policies UA3 and UA4 for Leigh Park and Wecock.
However, developments and improvements outside the most deprived
wards will have benefits over a wider area as well as contributing
to the regeneration of the Borough as a whole.
UA3 LEIGH PARK
REGENERATION
The Borough Council seeks the
regeneration of the Leigh Park housing estate and adjoining areas.
Development will only be permitted where it can be combined with
improvements either on the site of the proposal or elsewhere in
Leigh Park. Proposals should result in one or more of the
following:
(i) The modernisation of the
estate so that it can cater effectively for community requirements
which were not considered in its original design.
(ii) Redevelopment of rundown or
underused land or buildings.
(iii) The provision and
upgrading of community facilities.
(iv) Housing to meet local needs
which should be regarded as a regeneration priority.
(v) A range of employment and
training opportunities.
(vi) The maintenance and
enhancement of accessible open space of different types including
development for sport and recreation.
(vii) Improvements to the
accessibility of shopping centres, schools and open
spaces.
(viii) Improvements to roads and
footways to make them safer and more attractive to
use.
(ix) Enhancing the appearance of
the estate, including good quality urban design and investment in
landscape improvements.
(x) Continued enhancement and
protection of the Hermitage Stream and its
tributaries.
The specific proposals for
development and improvement should be based on consultation with
the local community through the process of the Creating Quality
Places project which will co-ordinate the types of improvements
listed above.
57. The estimated population of Leigh
Park (Barncroft, Warren Park, Battins and Bondfields wards)
totalled 26,546 in 2001, almost 25% of the Borough. These four
wards have been identified in the Indices of Deprivation, published
by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in 2004, as suffering
from serious problems.
58. The policy provides a land use and
physical dimension for the Borough's Community Strategy for
2005-2008: Stronger Together and Unlocking the Potential A
Regeneration Strategy for Havant Borough 2005-2008. In particular
the policy also reaffirms the need for a comprehensive approach to
regeneration which has been established by the Creating Quality
Places project (formerly the Leigh Park Environmental Improvement
Plan). This was proposed by the Borough Council in 1997 as the
vehicle for bringing forward specific proposals as a result of the
full involvement of the Leigh Park community and to complement
achievements such as the environmental enhancement along the
Hermitage Stream. Policy UA3 will be carried forward by a Strategic
Framework, which will be adopted during 2006, and this will
co-ordinate developments, improvements and initiatives which can be
delivered through the planning system.
59. Specific proposals, such as the
estimate of 250 dwellings identified in Policy H1 in the Housing
chapter, should emerge from this policy and the Creating Quality
Places project. These proposals should be regarded as part of a
package of improvements which respond to the Community's objectives
and contribute to the regeneration of the estate as a whole. In
addition to the housing, employment, community and environmental
initiatives, the policy recognises that it is essential to foster a
variety of improved recreational and sporting provision in Leigh
Park. Sport is part of the broader cultural infrastructure and is
recognised by Sport England as a catalyst for social and
environmental regeneration and improvements to the quality of life
of local residents and the image of the Borough. Development should
not be achieved by the deterioration of open space provision. The
explanatory text following Policy H3 in the Housing Chapter refers
to the use of surplus open space and additional provision at
Cabbagefield Row is proposed in 'Recreation'. The use of open space
can be justified in terms of sustainable development since new
housing would be close to schools, bus routes and other services.
For this reason it may be acceptable to develop some open spaces
for housing provided they are either replaced in a countryside
location that is well served by public transport or by upgrading
accessible provision in the local area.
UA4 WECOCK REGENERATION
Following the redevelopment of
the village centre the Borough Council will permit proposals which
assist the continued regeneration of the Wecock housing estate.
Improvements should :
(i) Modernise the estate so that
it can cater more effectively for community requirements which were
not considered in its original design.
(ii) Develop housing on suitable
underused land to meet local need.
(iii) Retain and enhance
accessible open space of different types.
(iv) Ensure that the network of
roads and footways is safe and attractive to use.
(v) Enhance the appearance of
the estate by ensuring good quality urban design and investment in
landscape improvements.
Specific proposals will be
included in supplementary planning guidance which will be prepared
with the involvement of the local community.
60. Like the Leigh Park estate, Wecock
suffers from social and economic problems and there is potential
for environmental improvement. The Borough Council initiated a
community consultation exercise into the regeneration of the Wecock
Village Centre and has worked successfully with a local housing
association and other partners to progress the redevelopment and
improvement.
UA5 MIXED-USE
DEVELOPMENTS
Proposals which combine a mix of
complementary uses, or diversify an area where there is one
predominant use, will be permitted if the existing residential
environment can be safeguarded effectively by the design and
construction of the development. In particular the Borough Council
encourages mixed-use proposals in town, district and local centres,
in the regeneration of areas and on sites with good accessibility
to public transport.
61. This policy refers to the diversity
of uses resulting from the development of sites and individual
buildings. It reflects the guidance contained in Planning Policy
Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development (PPS1) and other
publications. A range of uses at one location can reduce the need
for travel, thereby contributing to sustainability. The
introduction of small-scale businesses, community buildings,
leisure activities and local shops may bring jobs and other
facilities nearer to where people live, thus reducing travel and
bringing overall environmental benefits. This potential is most
apparent in the regeneration of the older suburban estates and in
town, district and local centres. Varied uses associated with
different building types also contribute to the townscape character
of the Borough. Mixed-uses enhance the vitality and viability of
centres by increasing the range of uses which attract people at
different times. The potential for mixed-use is appropriate in some
areas, for example Hooks Lane, Bedhampton where a potential
redevelopment site would be created should the Havant Rugby Club
relocate to land at Campdown (see Policy R3). However,
indiscriminate mixed-use development is not appropriate in all
parts of the Borough since the environment of existing residents
needs to be safeguarded from the effects of additional noise,
traffic and intrusion.