Executive summary
This paper focuses on education, social infrastructure (health
provision and community centres), public services (libraries,
cemeteries and emergency services) and utility services (water
supply, waste water treatment, gas and electricity).
The priorities and programmes of infrastructure providers are
determined by Regulation and Shareholders and are therefore
different to the Borough Council’s which are determined both by the
Government and the local community.
This background study has an important role in seeking to
coordinate the priorities of both the infrastructure providers and
Havant Borough Council to ensure that the Local Development
Framework creates sustainable development over a 20 year
timescale.
This background study is part of an iterative process of
information gathering that enables infrastructure providers to
clarify and supplement their evidence to ensure the feasibility of
development options prior to public consultation.
Education
A large number of schools have a significant percentage of
surplus places (more than 10 %) which should be used more
effectively.
A few schools have small space surpluses and this could be a
constraint on future development and/or limit parental choice.
Social Infrastructure
There are challenges relating to health provision for existing
and future residents. These are most significant in Leigh Park and
Hayling Island.
The Borough is well served by community buildings and it is a
major challenge to keep them open.
Public Services
The Core Strategy needs to bring forward policies which
complement the provision of emergency services.
Housing growth across South Hampshire is likely to put severe
pressure on the library and information service and improved
provision is likely to be required in the Borough.
Utility Services
The powerline is a major constraint in the gap between Havant
and Waterlooville.
The high pressure gas main will restrict development for example
between Havant, Emsworth, across Bedhampton ward and into Purbrook
ward.
Aquifer protection needs to be taken into account in Hart Plain
and neighbouring areas along the northern edge of the Borough and
in the central part of the Borough at Brockhampton.
The capacity of Budds Farm is a key constraint on development in
the Borough. Increased capacity needs to be provided without an
adverse impact on water quality in Langstone Harbour and
biodiversity in the coastal zone.
The proposed reservoir at Havant Thicket will restrict
development north of Leigh Park but has major recreational
potential which would complement Staunton Country Park as a major
leisure attraction in South Hampshire.
Water supply to brownfield sites in Emsworth and Leigh Park
would be more problematical than at other locations because of the
need for off-site mains reinforcement.
Water is unlikely to be a constraint in South Hampshire if water
efficiency is achieved and the Havant Thicket Reservoir is built by
2021.
Main Findings
Government guidance in Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS 12)
(para.4.9) affirms that the delivery of housing and other strategic
requirements should not be compromised by unrealistic expectations
about the future availability of infrastructure.
The Partnership for Urban South Hampshire is committed to a
position that growth is dependent on infrastructure funding
from Central Government.
The Borough is already served by a comprehensive infrastructure
network which provides the basis for sustainable development within
the five urban areas.
The need to reinforce infrastructure would be paid for by
developers. As a result some areas may not come forward for
development since developers will tend to select sites which can be
serviced at less cost.
The availability of surplus infrastructure capacity will be a
major factor in the location of development in the Core
Strategy.
Some public utility providers prefer the distribution of new
development rather concentrating it into a few areas.
However, a number of relatively small incremental
developments are likely to have the same cumulative effect on
infrastructure provision as the concentration of housing at fewer
locations.
Contributions will be required to complement Government
funding.
The Core Strategy should focus on the sustainable use of surplus
infrastructure, the co-ordination of provision with new development
and the closer collaboration between Havant Borough Council (HBC)
and infrastructure providers.