8.0 Public services
Libraries
Existing Provision
The libraries in Havant, Waterlooville, Leigh
Park, Hayling Island and Emsworth make a major contribution to the
attractiveness and viability of the main centres. These libraries
play an important role in complementing the educational
infrastructure and by contributing to the cultural life of the
Borough.
Future Requirements
New or improved libraries will be required to
serve the increased population.
The extension of Havant Library is planned
subject to funding. There is the potential for combining libraries
with other types of infrastructure, such as health centres, which
are also important for providing information to the public. Linking
libraries to any new community centres which are required could
also be considered. Contributions from developers for improving
provision are likely to be sought.
Cemeteries
Existing Provision
The Borough has three cemeteries as well as
three closed graveyards adjacent to churches. Havant cemetery has
very limited space for new graves and there is limited capacity in
Waterlooville cemetery. However, there is capacity for 10 -12 years
at Warblington in the cemetery extension.
Future Requirements
The proposed cemetery within the West of
Waterlooville Major Development Area will be large enough to
accommodate the Borough’s requirement for burials and cremated
remains for the next 40 years approximately. It is expected
that provision will be available within the next 3-4 years. This
cemetery also provides for the needs of the
MDA
within Winchester. This
proposal puts the Borough in an enviable position in comparison
with some other Districts. However, the requirements of other
faiths may need to be considered. Although there is no need to
identify a location for another cemetery in the Core Strategy it
should avoid identifying a location for another purpose which might
be considered suitable in the future.
Emergency Services
Existing Provision
Planning makes an important contribution to
the Police Service by ensuring development is designed which
reduces the propensity for crime. The Police want to build on
existing policies in the Core Strategy.
The use of centres for some types of leisure
increases the demand for policing. This is therefore a constraint
on this type of development and consequently on the
diversification of the Centres which might be considered to offset
the decline of their retail role.
There is no surplus capacity in the Fire and
Rescue services in the Havant area at present.
Future Requirements
The development of 6,300 dwellings will not
have a significant impact on the Fire and Rescue Service. This
development will provide the opportunity of taking an innovative
approach to reducing the risk of death and injury from fire.
Some emergency services are likely to require changes to existing
provision rather than additional facilities. For example:
- The existing police stations will not be
appropriate or fit for purpose and will have to be replaced.
- The existing Waterlooville and Havant Fire
Stations need to be relocated, for example to a site at Dunsbury
Hill Farm. Although this would release the existing sites for
development the new provision would be a further constraint on
expansion north of Leigh Park.
- The Fire and Rescue and Ambulance services
could share a ‘community emergency service point’ in larger
developments.
The Fire and Rescue Service has also pointed
to an innovative approach to reducing the risk of death and injury
from fire by including sprinklers in new development rather than
relying on additional fire stations. The Core Strategy can foster
the opportunity for the Fire and Rescue Service to work with
developers to install – or contribute to - this type of fire
protection.
The Ambulance Service has stated that the
Havant area would be considered for a satellite station and that
the proposed housing will certainly increase operational pressure.
A site of some 0.5 ha is required with good road access to
residential areas and the road network. This service – and the
other emergency services – expects that the Core Strategy will
require developers to make contributions so that service delivery
is not affected by development proposals. The emergency services
will need to provide sound justification for seeking developer
contributions in order that they can be included in a Core Strategy
Policy.