MasterPlan

The planning application was submitted to Rushmoor Borough Council on 17 July 2009. A decision by the Planning Committee is expected on 7 October 2009.

A pdf of the masterplan can be seen here Final Masterplan

Copies of the full planning application (1 large boxes) can be viewed at the reception of Rushmoor Borough Council and Pavilion Housing Association (Gordon Rd, Aldershot). Aldershot library also has a copy for the public to view.

Planning Application Summary

The proposal of the application for My North Town Regeneration project is to meet the current and future needs of Pavilion Housing residents. It will also be of benefit to the wider community. The scheme has been prepared in two stages, to meet four development principles which are:-

To transform and improve the housing, in a high quality sustainable residential environment
Promoting and maintaining the involvement and engagement of residents and the wider community in the development process and beyond
Replace and improve commercial, community and open space facilities for the benefit of the area
To promote environmental improvements particularly in relation to sustainable travel and transport and the management of traffic

The application is for Stage 1 and together with Stage 2 will be phased to be completed over a 7 year period.

The existing homes do not meet the needs of existing residents or the future community. There are no overriding visual or environmental constraints upon redevelopment of the site.

Rushmoor Borough Council places a high priority upon the provision of affordable housing to meet the needs of the Borough’s residents. The proposed development complies with all relevant policies in the development plan. These policies come from national and regional guidance which supports the provision and improvement of affordable housing to meet current and long term needs for assisted living and older persons.

The proposal positively contributes to objectives to create mixed communities and a socially integrated and cohesive scheme, in conjunction with the efficient use of brownfield land.

The proposal is positively supported by the Housing Needs Survey (HNS), which identifies a significant and growing need for affordable housing. Although the Stage 1 application involves only an exact replacement of the existing properties nevertheless it will replace them with a high quality and appropriate form of housing that will meet residents needs. This can be demonstrated through the Community and Stakeholder Consultation process, which was widely supported and endorsed the proposals put forward in this application for the renewal of the estate.

Such improvements support the current and Draft Strategic Housing Market Report which positively supports locally based improvements to the housing stock and the encouragement this gives to mixed tenures.

Planning conditions and the planning obligation will ensure maintenance and provision of affordable housing along with improvements to public open space and community contributions. The development will not have any adverse impact upon the Thames Basin Heaths SPA as there is a balanced replacement of dwellings. Accordingly, no avoidance measures are required.

This application represents an important stage in the comprehensive re-development of the North Town Estate. It is designed to achieve the long term benefit that will arise from mixed communities and a balance of tenure and dwelling types and will enhance the environmental character of the area overall.

The conclusion is that the application will bring about a positive improvement to the area that will be of benefit not only to Pavilion Housing residents but environmental improvements. For example traffic calming and traffic management (on Pegasus Avenue in particular) This high quality and inclusive development, will also provide public open space and improved shopping and community facilities to the benefit of the North Town community in general. The scheme will promote a socially inclusive and cohesive proposal within itself, with immediate neighbours and the wider community as well.

There is full and positive support of this important urban renewal project. It will bring substantial and vitally important, qualitative (and in due course, quantitative) improvements in a high quality sustainable building form.

This is a proposal that fully accords with the development plan, the Council’s imperatives for full and efficient use of land for housing, social housing improvements, related policy aims and objectives for regeneration, including local community facilities and on it’s individual merits.