Likely sustainability effects

Havant Core Strategy Issues and Options

Likely Implications for Sustainable Development

Key Issue - Sustainable Development

Key Issue - Local Economy

Key Issue - Housing

Key Issue - Improving Transport

Key Issue - Natural and Built Environment

Key Issue - Changing Coastline

Key Issue - Infrastructure

Key Issue – Sustainable Development

Information on Sustainable Development for the Borough is contained within pages 8-12 of the Issues and Options Paper. It also directly relates to Issues I and J and Objectives 15, 16 and 17 of the draft Sustainability Appraisal framework.

Questions 1&2	Likely Positive Impacts	Likely Negative Impacts	Uncertain Impacts
The Core Strategy should require all new development to provide at least 10% of their energy needs from renewable sources	Reduction in demand for energy with attendant falls in carbon emissions Reduction in dependency on imported energy supplies Residential development would reduce fuel poverty in low income households Support business competitiveness through reliable and affordable energy Will promote research, investment and employment in the production and fitting of new technologies	Potential cost implications may make regeneration of marginal sites uneconomic. Visual impact in sensitive sites – conservation areas and listed buildings will be damaged if there are no sympathetic solutions	None identified
The Core Strategy should require high levels of energy efficient measures in all new development	Reduction in demand for energy with attendant falls in carbon emissions Reduction in dependency on imported energy supplies Residential development would reduce fuel poverty in low income households Support business competitiveness through reliable and affordable energy Will promote research, investment and employment in the production and fitting of new technologies	Potential cost implications may make regeneration of marginal sites uneconomic.	Visual impact in sensitive sites – conservation areas and listed buildings may be damaged if there are no sympathetic solutions
The Core Strategy should promote the development of a renewable/sustainable energy plant in the Borough. (e.g. arge wind turbine or biomass woodchip burner)	Reduction in demand for fossil fuels with attendant falls in carbon emissions Will enhance the image of the Borough and promote other sustainable infrastructure. Will promote research, investment and employment in the production and fitting of new technologies	Wind turbine has potential visual impact in sensitive areas. Location of plant may make adjoining areas less attractive to private investors.	Possible disturbance to nature conservation sites.
The Core Strategy should allow the addition of sustainable energy technologies to existing buildings	Reduction in demand for fossil fuels with attendant falls in carbon emissions Residential development would reduce fuel poverty in low income households Will promote research, investment and employment in the production and fitting of new technologies	Visual impact in sensitive sites – conservation areas and listed buildings will be damaged if there are no sympathetic solutions	None identified.
The Core Strategy should require water efficiency measures in all new development	Reduction in demand for water Will promote research, investment and employment in the production and fitting of new technologies	Potential cost implications may make regeneration of marginal sites uneconomic. Appearance of listed buildings will be damaged if there are no sympathetic solutions	None identified.
The Core Strategy should promote the ‘waste hierarchy’. This means reducing the amount of waste we produce in the first place, then to reuse, recycle and recover as much value from the materials before they are disposed of	Reduction in the use of landfill Reduction in the use of carbon fuels in the production of new goods Investment Will support new sources of employment in the recycling industry.	Visual impact – some recycling facilities can be unsightly.	None identified.
The Core Strategy should include a policy relating to sustainable design and construction to minimise waste production.	Reduction in demand for energy with attendant falls in carbon emissions Sustainable design in residential development would reduce fuel poverty in low income households Will promote research and investment into sustainable construction techniques	Potential cost implications may make regeneration of marginal sites uneconomic. Other important urban design factors such as local character, legibility and natural surveillance may suffer	None identified.
The Core Strategy should promote more local recycling points	Promoting recycling will reduce the amount of waste disposed of in landfill. Reduction in the use of carbon fuels in the production of new goods Will support new sources of employment in the recycling industry. Will reduce the distance travelled to dispose of recyclables	Visual impact – some recycling facilities can be unsightly.	None identified.

Key Issue – Local Economy

Information on the local economy is contained within pages 13-18 of the Issues and Options Paper. It also directly relates to Issue G and H and Objectives 3,4 and 18 of the draft Sustainability Appraisal framework.

Question 3	Likely Positive Impacts	Likely Negative Impacts	Uncertain Impacts
The Core Strategy should release some poor quality employment land and premises for alternative uses	Will re-use previously developed land Will improve the appearance and quality of the built environment New buildings will be constructed to higher fuel efficiency standards	Will fuel need for more greenfield sites for employment land Will displace businesses which may not relocate within the Borough, increasing the need to travel	None identified.
The Core Strategy should focus on identifying sites for offices, manufacturing and warehouse distribution.	Providing a supply of sites for various uses will promote economic growth and reduce out-commuting Identifying land for offices and manufacturing will maximise the number of jobs created on each site	May not meet the needs of a dynamic economy May restrict the supply of new employment land	If located in accessible areas the allocation of sites will promote sustainable transport.
The Core Strategy should identify land for employment generally without specifying any particular type of end user	Providing a supply of sites for various uses will promote economic growth and reduce out-commuting A flexible supply of sites will encourage new development	Open ended employment allocations may not match the needs of existing businesses in the Borough to expand Too much warehouse distribution will deliver less employment in the Borough	If located in accessible areas the allocation of sites will promote sustainable transport.
The Core Strategy should promote a major tourist development on Hayling Island centred on its windsurfing/sailing heritage.	Additional tourism will boost the Island’s economy and employment The development would promote Hayling’s history and environment. A windsurfing centre would promote exercise and healthy lifestyles.	Transport to the Island is likely to be car-dominated	None identified
The Core Strategy should promote a marina development at Boardmarsh, including related hotel and leisure facilities.	Additional tourism will boost the Borough’s economy and employment Development would provide additional housing The marina would provide a gateway to Havant, adding to the distinctiveness of the Borough	Potentially serious impacts on European designated sites of nature conservation importance. Transport to Broadmarsh is likely to be car-dominated.	The nature of public access and recreation provision at the site will be changed
The Core Strategy should promote development in Havant and its surroundings to establish the area as a short break destination.	Additional tourism will boost the Borough’s economy and employment Tourism development will promote the Borough and build on its history and distinctiveness	None identified.	The location of new facilities will determine whether sustainable transport is encouraged.
The Core Strategy should continue to resist out-of-centre shopping development in favour of in-centre or edge-of centre development	Will promote development on brownfield land. Will promote the vitality and viability of the Borough’s town, district and local centres. Will focus new development towards regenerating the Borough’s older urban areas. Promoting the retail function of the Borough’s centres reinforces their sense of place as focal points for local communities.	May encourage shopping out of the Borough	None identified.
The Core Strategy should promote the use of compulsory purchase order powers to promote shopping development in the heart of centres or on their edges	Necessary development in or near the heart of centres will promote their vitality and viability. Will assist the regeneration of the Borough’s older urban areas. Will provide a wider range of services and facilities within the Centre	None identified	May blight existing property, delaying investment
The Core Strategy should seek to maintain the same number of shops in Leigh Park Shopping Centre	May promote refurbishment of existing units Will promote the vitality and viability of the shopping centre Will introduce additional uses within the district centre	Will reduce the retail offer in the district centre if shops change to non-retail uses.	Uncertain how many units will remain vacant in the long term
The Core Strategy should promote the redevelopment of part of Park Parade in Leigh Park Shopping Centre.	Will re-use previously developed land Will result in less vacant units Will promote the vitality and viability of the shopping centre	Will displace some businesses which may not relocate within the district centre	There is the potential for good quality new design to improve the appearance of the Centre

Key Issue - Housing

Information on the Borough’s housing is contained within pages 19-26 of the Issues and Options Paper. It also directly relates to Issue F and Objective 1 of the draft Sustainability Appraisal framework.

Question 4	Likely Positive Impacts	Likely Negative Impacts	Uncertain Impacts
The Core Strategy should require new housing to be built at densities higher than the current average of 36 dwellings per hectare, taking into account local character.	Will reduce the amount of greenfield land required for new housing Will deliver more housing closer to existing facilities, reducing the need to travel by private car	It is harder to build housing in a range of house types and styles at higher densities	Higher density housing requires good quality design to deliver an acceptable living environment May result in dwellings without private gardens
The Core Strategy should raise affordable housing requirements above the 30% currently sought	An increase in the amount of affordable housing on each site to meet housing need.	Potential cost implications may make regeneration of marginal sites uneconomic.	Care is required to integrate affordable and market housing to secure mixed communities.
The Core Strategy should require the majority of affordable housing to continue to be social rented	Will concentrate resources to those least able to meet their housing needs on the open market.	Focus on social rented will increase costs and may make regeneration of marginal sites uneconomic Focus on social rented could undermine intermediate market.	None identified
The Core Strategy should require larger housing developments to include a range of dwelling types and sizes, and at least 50% of all new dwellings to be either 1 or 2 bedrooms.	Will deliver housing in line with the projected need for more smaller dwellings Developments which include a range of house types and sizes can be more visually interesting. Assists in the creation of mixed communities	Per capita consumption of water rises with falling household size. More small dwellings will increase car parking created/required	None identified.
The Core Strategy should provide broad guidance on the most appropriate type of dwelling to be provided on each site, but ultimately let the market decide.	Less constraints will assist developers in bringing forward new housing more quickly	May not produce housing which meets the needs of the Borough.	None identified.

Question 5	Likely Positive Impacts	Likely Negative Impacts	Uncertain Impacts
Choose the right overall housing strategy for Havant – options 1, 2 or 3.	All options will deliver homes to meet housing need in the Borough. Option 1 will retain as much open space within the built up area as possible. Option 3 will retain as much open countryside as possible.	Option 1 will require more greenfield land and urban sprawl, increasing distances to travel to services and facilities. Option 3 will remove some open spaces in the built up area.	The loss of open space may be mitigated if it leads to investment to upgrade other local open spaces. The loss of countryside may be mitigated by increased access to remaining spaces and access to other facilities.

Question 6	Likely Positive Impacts	Likely Negative Impacts	Uncertain Impacts
Please rank each area in terms of suitability for new housing development – options 1 to 9.	All options will deliver homes to meet housing need in the Borough. Option 1 is relatively close to Milton Road Local Centre and has good bus links. Option 2 is adjacent to an area of high housing need Option 3 is adjacent to an area of high housing need Option 4 is relatively close to facilities in Westbourne Option 5 is relatively close to Cosham and Portsmouth centres. Option 6 is relatively close to Havant and Cosham centres Option 7 has a range of undeveloped areas and identified highway capacity. Option 8 has substantial undeveloped areas Option 9 is close to Mengham / Gable Head District Centre	Option 1 is subject to local nature designations Options 2, 3, and 4 are subject to local nature conservation designations and are currently strategic gap. Option 5 would have a landscape impact and is currently strategic gap. Option 6 is subject to an international nature designation Option 7 is subject to local nature conservation designations and is currently strategic gap. Options 8 and 9 have limited accessibility, are at risk from flooding and are adjacent to an area subject to international nature designations.	All options have strengths and weaknesses. They will be considered further following consultation at this stage.

Key Issue – Improving Transport

Information on transport is contained within pages 27-29 of the Issues and Options Paper. It also directly relates to Issue N and Objective 7 of the draft Sustainability Appraisal framework.

Core Strategy – Question 7	Likely Positive Impacts	Likely Negative Impacts	Uncertain Impacts
Please indicate which 5 transport objectives are the most important for Havant	All objectives contribute towards promoting travel choice and reducing the need to travel by the private car. The Local Transport Plan has already been the subject of a Sustainability Appraisal to ensure the objectives contribute towards sustainable development.	Works to deliver accessibility to key development opportunity sites (Option 3) will lead to development of greenfield land and increased traffic in those areas	High density developments in areas with good public transport links requires good design to ensure a satisfactory living environment. The loss of countryside may be mitigated by increased access to remaining spaces and access to other facilities.

Key Issue – Natural and Built Environment

Information on the natural and built environment is contained within pages 30-32 of the Issues and Options Paper. It also directly relates to Issues B, C and D and Objectives 12, 13 and 14 of the draft Sustainability Appraisal framework.

Core Strategy – Question 8	Likely Positive Impacts	Likely Negative Impacts	Uncertain Impacts
The Core Strategy should require landscape enhancements within new developments.	Enhancements will improve the appearance of new developments	Potential cost implications may make regeneration of marginal sites uneconomic. May not contribute towards the most efficient use of land.	Areas could include Sustainable Urban Drainage features, to reduce flood risk Landscape areas could contribute towards biodiversity
The Core Strategy should seek contributions from developers to enhance the public’s natural and built environment.	Will contribute towards the environment and identity of the Borough. Will contribute to the regeneration of the Borough	Potential cost implications may make regeneration of marginal sites uneconomic.	None identified
The Core Strategy should protect the historic character of the Borough as a priority	Will contribute towards the environment and identity of the Borough.	May restrict redevelopment of brownfield sites	Innovative designs might be constrained by conservation requirements Designs which conserve historic character may not be achievable
The Core Strategy should promote bold innovative designs where they do not damage historic townscapes	Will encourage new developments to include sustainable features, such as energy and water efficiency. Will encourage regeneration by such measures as higher density development and mixed use Innovative, sustainable designs will promote the image of the Borough as progressive and concerned about the environment Well -designed development will improve the distinctiveness of the Borough	May involve building at higher densities which appears different from existing suburban housing	Innovative designs might be considered to be unacceptable if they differ from established urban housing
The Core Strategy should promote urban design because it has an important role in integrating new development into the built environment.	Good urban design will improve the built environment of the Borough, being safer, more legible and more attractive.	None identified.	High quality design adds costs which must be balanced with increased market value

Key Issue – Changing Coastline

Information on the Borough’s coastline is contained within pages 33-35 of the Issues and Options Paper. It also directly relates to Issue A and Objective 8 of the draft Sustainability Appraisal framework.

Core Strategy – Question 9	Likely Positive Impacts	Likely Negative Impacts	Uncertain Impacts
The Core Strategy should show existing coastal defences and where they will/could be realigned and strengthened.	Adaptive approaches to coastal defence and in some locations managed realignment can be used to maintain, enhance and create important areas of nature conservation.	Coastal defences are expensive and will therefore require additional investment particularly to defend against increasing pressures resulting from climate change.	Realignment of the coastline can result in a change in habitat, this can be perceived as a loss of some important interest features and a gain in others.

Key Issue – Infrastructure

Information on infrastructure is contained within pages 36-38 of the Issues and Options Paper. It also directly relates to Issue L and Objective 6 of the draft Sustainability Appraisal framework.

Core Strategy – Question 10

Likely Positive Impacts

Likely Negative Impacts

Uncertain Impacts

The Core Strategy should focus on the quality of accessible open spaces rather than their quantity

High quality and well -used open spaces improve community safety
Re-development of poor open spaces which have low recreational value will use land more efficiently at accessible locations
Building on poor open spaces will reduce urban sprawl
Well -designed housing could be more attractive than poor quality open space

Would reduce the number of open spaces and accessibility
The visual value of greenspaces within built up areas would be taken away
Development might break up 'green chains'

None identified.

The Core Strategy should review the future of the Havant Leisure Centre to see if the pattern and range of recreation facilities can be improved

Improvements to recreation facilities will improve quality of life in the Borough, encouraging healthy lifestyles.
Additional provision could improve accessibility to facilities especially for people who do not drive.
Possibility of increased and more efficient use of existing provision

Re-development of Havant Leisure Centre would cause the loss of a centrally located major recreation facility.
The current location of Havant Leisure Centre reinforces the town’s sense of place as focal point for the community.

The existing facilities are at a location which has excellent public transport links. Any other location may encourage greater use of the private car

Uncertainty whether existing provision has sufficient spare capacity to cater for demands if the Havant Leisure Centre were to close.

Havant Borough Council, Civic Centre Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2AX