Highways Development Control
(Also known as: HDC, highways, roads planning)
Highways Developement Contol
The following information is of a technical nature and may be difficult to understand for some people. If you do find the information hard to follow, please call the planning help line on 023 8083 3952 or email the planning inbox with your question: planning@southampton.gov.uk
Who can use this service:
Advice is free
Contact Details:
Address: DC Highways
Planning and Sustainability
Ground Floor
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO14 7LS
Telephone: 023 8083 3952
Fax: 023 8083 2607
Details of service:
Highways Development Control
The Highways section gives advice on planning proposals, ensuring that developers meet their obligations relative to the development, the construction of new or altered accesses and any transport infrastructure improvements or initiatives required as part of a planning consent.
Planning Applications are sent to different departments for consultation, and one of the most important is the DC Highways Department. It is the responsibility of the Highways Planning Department to inspect proposals with Highway safety as a prime consideration. Different levels of consideration are given for the different classifications of road and the volumes of traffic using them. Pedestrian and cyclist safety are paramount, and any improvements that can be made as a condition of a planning consent are requested.
With larger developments it is possible to ask the applicant for contributions towards strategic schemes, such as improvements to cycleways, footpaths, or to install pedestrian crossing facilities, and to contribute towards public transport improvements. Tactile paving at pedestrian crossing points and raised kerbing at bus stops to enable easier pushchair and wheel chair bus access are all considered within this sector. All this supports the Councils' policy to raise the publics awareness of alternative travel modes, making walking and cycling a safe and pleasant way to move around, and to encourage the use of public transport. No longer do we design around car ownership, particularly within the more central areas of the city.
When looking at larger housing developments, the highway is designed around pedestrian and cyclist movements, and keeping traffic speeds controlled to a safe level. A new design guide has been produced by the City Council, which encourages 'Home Zone' ideas, making the carriageway a shared surface with restrictions to make the car driver aware of the changed environment. This idea is not new, but has developed on from earlier strategies which have been proved to work.
With major redevelopment sites, the developer may be asked to contribute towards more remote principle schemes, which will aid the movement of vehicles into and out of the city, on the spine road network, as well as more locally to the site.
The Highways Department feeds back their recommendations to the Planning Department, who then corrolate all the information they receive from all their consultees, before making their recommendations, which may be refered on to be considered by the Planning Committee, made up of local Councillors.
Last updated: 7 November 2008
