Southampton Science Park
has
lodged a response to the draft local plan, which will be a blueprint for
development in the Test Valley up to 2011.
Business Park - South England
Masterplan
Through its planning consultants, Hawthorne
Kamm, the Southampton business park has contributed to Test Valley Borough Council's
public consultation period to put forward "masterplan" proposals
detailing how it feels the park should evolve. It hopes these will be
incorporated within the revised plan, due to be published in autumn 2003.
Business Park England
It defines its vision of how the
Southampton business park and
surrounding land should be developed and managed in the future,
identifying land that could be reserved for research and development use,
to expand the park, and proposing housing, which would include "key
workers" homes.
Says Dr. Don Fox, the Science Park's Chief
Executive: "The provision of residential uses near the park would
give opportunities to provide key worker dwellings and encourage employees
to walk to work - in line with the Government's commitment to ensuring
that people don't always have to drive."
Business Park: "UK needs key worker
homes" say employees.
A recent survey at the business park and
Chilworth Manor found that 29 employees would welcome the opportunity to
live close to their place of work whilst four companies said they would
like to provide accommodation nearby for their employees. One proposed
residential area is at Woodlands while a smaller plot of land has been
earmarked adjacent to the land for future business park expansion.
Key proposals put forward by the business
park include:
- That the designated boundary of the park
should extend to the A27 and include land at Hazel Copse and the
walled garden area, but that development would not harm the character
of these areas.
- Six acres of land at Kennels Farm, which
enjoys planning permission for the development of research and
development use, should be included within the defined business park
area.
- A nature conservation area, managed by
the University of Southampton, which separates the park from Chilworth
Old Village, should be made available for recreational use by the
public.
- In line with anticipated expansion of
the business park, it is considered that the Local Plan should enable
Chilworth Manor to expand accordingly, ensuring there are sufficient
facilities within the park to cater for the number of employees to
avoid them having to travel elsewhere for such facilities.
One of the premier science
parks in the UK, Southampton Science Park has been identified as a special policy area.
Test Valley Borough Council says it recognises the important economic
development role of the site and states that proposals for new
buildings
or redevelopment or extension of existing buildings within the life of the
plan will "generally be supported provided that the type and use of
occupancy are appropriate to a science park, the development respects its
sensitive rural location and the attractive campus character of the site
is maintained". Southampton Science Park
will be asking the
council to "revisit" the plan and proposing that now the
business park users are becoming well established, it is appropriate to introduce
an element of residential use to the area to include "key
worker" dwellings.
Southampton Science Park's
proposals will now be considered by the council and the plan revised in
the light of public submissions. Any unresolved objections will be
considered at a public inquiry in 2004.
Key Features of Southampton Science Park:
Business Park with broadband
access
Southampton Science Park
is the ideal
location for any company looking for a business park with broadband
access.
Business Park - London 1 hr
If you want to be located
within easy reach of the capital, Southampton Science Park has the ideal position. From
the business park, London can be reached in about 1 hour.
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