Urgent Item For Information BOROUGH OF POOLE

HAMWORTHY EAST AND WEST AND POOLE TOWN AREA COMMITTEE – 8 MARCH 2006

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES

HARBOURSIDE PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN

1 For Information

1.1 Leisure Services propose to allocate £85,000 (to be split 40:40:20 between Poole Town, Parkstone and Penn Hill Wards Casual Play and Amenity Open Space)) to construct new “shared surface” footpath/cycleway links between Baiter (Catalina Drive) and the Promenade (adjacent to the sluice) and between the Promenade and Whitecliff Road (the keyhole bridge)

NOTE : These routes, shown on the map, have been identified by the Head of Transportation Services as important commuter links from the town centre to NCN 25 (the Promenade), as well as improving recreational access to the park for people with disabilities and young children )

1.2 The Planning Obligations Sub Group discussed this item at their meeting of 2nd March 2006 and recommended approval subject to it being reported to the relevant Area Meetings and subject to approval by Environmental Overview Group.

Background information

1.3 In response to the government’s planning guidance note PPG17 (Planning for open space, sport and recreation) it is the Council’s policy (set out in the adopted Open Space Strategy) to draw up management plans for major open spaces in Poole, to provide a framework and context for their future management and recreational development. The management plan process also provides justification for further collection of recreational contributions to be made from developers.

1.4 The Harbourside Park Management Plan has now been recommended by the Environment Overview Group for formal approval and adoption by Cabinet

3rd March 2006 Page 1 1.5 The Harbourside Park Management Plan puts forward a range of improvement proposals that are thought to be required, sets priorities and indicates the resources that are likely to be needed to deliver them.

1.6 One identified priority is improvement to the “circulation system” of the park (i.e. footpath and cycleway links)

1.7 The current proposal - for new shared surfaces (i.e. an integrated pedestrian and cyclepath) between Catalina Drive and the Promenade - is the first of a number of proposed improvements which are intended to be brought forward over the life of the management plan.

1.8 This proposal can be carried out during the current financial year.

1.9 The approved implementation (action) plan is intended to identify potential improvements and prioritise bids to the Planning Obligations Sub Group for funding.

1.10 Details of further projects arising from the approved Harbourside Park Management Plan will be reported to future Area Committee meetings for information and comment.

1.11 Any comments on this matter from this area committee meeting will be reported back to the Planning Obligations Sub Group before a final decision on funding is taken.

CLIVE SMITH HEAD OF LEISURE SERVICES

Contact Officers:

Matti Raudsepp Open Spaces Manager 01202 261377

Mike Childs Strategy Officer (01202) 261319

Background document Harbourside Park Management Plan 2006

3rd March 2006 Page 2