Neighbourhood planning was introduced in 2011 through the Localism Act. A neighbourhood plan allows local residents and businesses to develop their own planning policies that reflect their priorities for their area and impact upon planning and development in the neighbourhood
What has this got to do with cycling?
The developing Neighbourhood Plan for the area has much to say on the need for an improved local environment:
“…both in terms of greening up and in terms of high quality hard landscaping with the station at its core. Associated traffic calming and management of pedestrian and cycle based flows, spaces for children to play, connections between Hove Park and Hove Station all aim to create an attractive environment to live,work and play in…”
Policies are being developed by the Forum which explicitly support cycle infrastructure and facilities:
Policy 21: Developer Contributions will be required to jointly contribute to the infrastructure requirements set out in the master plan to allow the Hove Station Quarter Area to be developed comprehensively.Reason: a number of requirements for example in terms of highways and utility infrastructure will be required to enable developments on site. The master plan sets out highways linkages and north south connection for cycling and pedestrian traffic as well as a number of place making features. These are seen to be critical to allow the area to be developed comprehensively in an attractive manner.
Policy 26: New developments should aim to minimise car based travel, which will require travel plans as well as a range of other measures such as designated car club spaces to be allocated throughout the area in discussion with the city’s car clubs and extensive cycle parking to standards as set out in SPD 13.
Policy 27: The Hove Station Quarter will be easily accessible on foot and by cycle; where car based through traffic is allowed this will be at low speeds typically on shared surfaces. Surrounding residential roads will also be subject to traffic calming measures to avoid rat runs and undue traffic pressure arising from new development.
Policy 30: The following improvements to the road network will be necessary:
- The opening up of Fonthill Road / Goldstone Lane southwards to allow better bus circulation following redevelopment of the bus station. (This is related to redevelopment of the areas between the high rise blocks of the Clarendon Estate);
- The closure of Fonthill Road under the railway tunnel, with access for pedestrians and cycles only. (This is to control rat running and allow the tunnel to become more user friendly)
- The continuation of the segregated cycleway along Old Shoreham Road;
- Provision of missing footway provisions such as by the petrol station off Station Approach and provision of safe pedestrian crossing outside Hove Station for visually impaired.