NM3: Land East of Caird Avenue
Policy NM3: Land East of Caird Avenue
The Neighbourhood Plan allocates land east of Caird Avenue, as shown on the Policies Map, for a mixed-use development comprising business innovation centre and hub, and/or health care facilities and green infrastructure.
Development proposals should have full regard to the following principles and subject to an appropriate sequential test to prevent inappropriate class E development in this out of town centre location:
- The employment scheme shall comprise land to deliver 1,800 sqm GEA of Class E(c), E(e) or E(g) floorspace to be accessed from the southern access road only;
- Any class E(c) or E(g) Business Innovation Hub shall comprise flexible, affordable office accommodation to serve start-up businesses will be supported to assist in the diversification of the local economy and should include access to ultra-fast broadband and providing a support hub for local businesses including training and seminar facilities
- Any class E(e) Health and Wellbeing Hub development proposals will be supported for the co-location of health and wellbeing services and for an expanded facility to serve a larger and more diverse local community
- The green infrastructure shall comprise:
- an effective landscape buffer to screen the adjoining minerals operations, the employment land from residential development and to screen Carrick Way Woodland a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation;
- the retention of existing trees on the southern boundary and retention of the existing shelter belt of mature trees / hedgerow and green verges on the western boundary to maintain the green setting of Caird Avenue; and,
- any measures that are required to satisfy the Habitat Regulations and the adopted Mitigation Strategies or any future relevant requirements;
- The layout of the schemes allows for, and does not compromise, the continuing minerals operations adjoining the site boundary; and
- The infrastructure scheme shall comprise:
- A comprehensive package of on and off-site transport and movement measures that link to the movement network defined in Policy NM11 to satisfactorily mitigate the effect of the comprehensive scheme on local roads and to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport; and
- The delivery and maintenance of an effective sustainable drainage system including the protection of Danes Stream and the retention of at least an 8m buffer zone.
- The layout of the site is planned to ensure future access to the existing sewerage infrastructure for maintenance and upsizing purposes.
Supporting text
The policy has been modified to reflect the delivery of the retail scheme previously included within this policy and the potential for the site to deliver either a Business and Innovation Hub as part of the employment offer and/or a new co-located Health and Wellbeing facility. The previously proposed location for the Business and Innovation Hub in the Town Centre is no longer available and there is a level of uncertainty over the funding position of the proposed Health and Wellbeing Facility in Policy NM8, so this location, with the agreement of the landowner, provides a fall-back position.
The policy has also been modified to reflect the removal of Class B1 from the use Classes Order which was replaced with Class E, of which sub sections (c),(e) and (g) would be suitable in this location. These include professional or financial services or any other services which it is appropriate to provide in a commercial, business or service locality, the provision of medical or health services, offices, research and development of products or processes, or industrial processes.
This policy updates and carries forward policy NMT5 of the New Forest District (outside the National Park) Local Plan Part 2: Sites and Development Management (2014) by allocating land at Caird Avenue on the south-eastern edge of the town for business and employment development and associated pedestrian and cycle links. The site remains well suited to delivering new employment land in a competitive location for the town and the scheme will generate approximately 100 new jobs in addition to retaining almost 150 jobs currently available on site (including the new retail supermarket)
NFDC has identified the high growth/low impact digital economy as strategically important. Conveniently located between the emerging digital powerhouse of Bournemouth and Southampton and the excellent connections by rail. New Milton is well placed to help drive this strategy. The Innovation/Business Centre has the potential to act as a catalyst for attracting and developing new digital businesses into New Milton and the wider area.
New Milton’s unique combination of assets: excellent rail access between Bournemouth and London; ultra-fast broadband; a superb coastal/forest location—and a large opportunity site at the A&T print works in the Town Centre provide the strong potential to attract young digital entrepreneurs to New Milton, supporting a more balanced and flexible local economy which reflects not only the proposed changes to the demographic profile of the town but also the economic needs of the District.
Proposals for a health facility at ground level with health and wellbeing uses at upper floors will also be supported on this site to provide a new, purpose-built health and wellbeing centre. This policy therefore supports this project, should it be unable to be delivered within the Town Centre (See Policy NM8)