South Hampshire Study (Hansard, 10 July 1968)

§ Mr. Greenwood

In their Study of South Hampshire, Messrs. Colin Buchanan and Partners concluded that the Southampton-Portsmouth area is physically suitable for large-scale development, and that it would be feasible to accommodate there a major growth in population, including not only natural growth but also a considerable intake of population.

Since the Study was published in 1966, the three major local authorities concerned—Hampshire County Council, and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils—have considered its findings and recommendations. They have agreed that, in the light of the Study, a master plan with more detailed local plans should be prepared for the area by a technical unit established jointly by the three authorities. The technical unit would operate under policy guidance 110W from a Steering Committee comprising members and officers from the authorities, with a chairman nominated by the Minister of Housing and Local Government. There would also be a Consultative Committee for liaison with the district councils concerned.

I accept the consultants' assessment of the feasibility of major growth in South Hampshire in the general area suggested in the Study, and also the view of the South East Economic Planning Council that with expansion South Hampshire could develop as one of a series of counter magnets to London near the edges of the region. I believe that joint local action is the right approach to the next stage in the planning of this very important area, where the main administrative task will be to shape and control the growth which is likely to occur in the normal course of events. It would not be appropriate in the circumstances to set up a new town development corporation and I therefore welcome the decision of the three authorities to establish the necessary joint machinery to plan the area comprehensively, and to study the possibility of a planned intake of population—a step which could make a valuable contribution to the relief of overcrowding in London. I have agreed to the appointment of one of the Ministry's senior officials as chairman of the Steering Committee.

Under the new machinery it will be possible to ensure that particular attention is given not only to the pattern of future development but also to the conservation of agriculture, horticulture and the great natural features of South Hampshire, and to the enhancement of the area's recreational facilities.

The growth of the South Hampshire area seems likely to take place largely on the basis of existing industry, or other industry tied to the South East, together with office development. It is not the Government's intention that the area should be allowed to attract industrial and office expansion which would otherwise be suitable for the development areas and arrangements will be made to ensure that the planning of the area is consistent with the Government's regional policies and also with the strategy for the South East region which is being studied by a team under Mr. Wilfred Burns.