New Forest Borough Council Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel Meeting

Cllr M Wade declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 3 at minute no 66 below.  The interest concerned his membership of Hampshire County Council and Hythe and Dibden Parish Council, however he concluded there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote.

No issues were raised in the public participation period.

Cllr M Wade declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of Hampshire County Council and Hythe and Dibden Parish Council.  He concluded there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote.

The Panel considered the document, titled “A Vision of the Waterside” which had been attached as Appendix 1 to report no 3.  It was noted that this document was a high level collaborate document, between Hampshire County Council, the National Park Authority as well as the District Council.  The document set out a collective assessment of the cumulative impact of the development aspirations and an understanding of the total infrastructure needed to support and enable growth in the area.  It also set out the economic, social and environmental outcomes that would need to be addressed as part of the shared vision.  The document pulled together strands from other published documents such as the Local Plan.  It would be used to support any funding bid to the Department for Transport, in particular for funding towards the A326.

Cllr Rackham addressed the Panel as both a member of Totton and Eling Town Council (Chairman of Planning and Transportation) and as a District Cllr.  Cllr Alvey and Hoare also addressed the Panel and statements were read out on behalf of Cllrs Harrison, Osborne and A Wade.

Members sought clarification regarding the bid which had been submitted to the DfT for highways improvements and asked what would happen should the bid be unsuccessful.    It was noted that the bid had been successful at the first stage and therefore there was a strong case to support the funding request, however should it be unsuccessful, further opportunities would be available.

Members expressed views to support the proposed document, in particular to support bids to Government seeking funding on infrastructure projects in the Waterside.    

Members spoke on the need for integrated transport systems and sustainable transport (for example, the Hythe Ferry, buses and Waterside Railway) and that the transport improvements should be delivered before any development commenced.  Cyclists and pedestrians needed dedicated safe routes away from the A326. 

Site specific issues were raised in relation to the health roundabout / Pegasus crossing and that the introduction of a two lane crossing was poor planning, it was felt that additional lanes at roundabouts would not help traffic.  The Rushington roundabout would also require improvement. 

Some members expressed the view that the document needed to be more specific and that it should involve the local community, including a vision for all the towns in the Waterside.  It was also suggested that funding for particular issues be identified within the document.

Members suggested that issues such as graduate retention, education, well-being, arts, culture and heritage facilities, employment and training, with local jobs for local people be included. 

RESOLVED:

That “A Vision for the Waterside”, attached as Appendix 1 to agenda item 3 be supported and that Cabinet be advised on the views expressed at the meeting.