PfSH continues to play a pivotal role in policy formulation related to spatial planning, housing and regeneration – as well as producing the evidence based studies necessary to articulate our ambitions for growth
PfSH remains committed to delivering sustainable environmental and cultural growth together with our partners across the South Hampshire area. Our policies and strategies guide PfSH’s actions and decisions – which in turn have helped to shape the decision-making of PfSH local authorities.
The Solent area has a growth plan ‘Transforming Solent: Growth Strategy’. This ambitious plan builds on the areas’ strengths, harnesses the drivers for growth and addresses the barriers – which if not addressed, could hinder growth in the Solent region. An executive summary of the report is also available; Transforming Solent: Executive summary.’
Developed through extensive consultation with PfSH and other local partners, the plan seeks to focus on parts of the local economy that need to develop or change the most to accelerate growth. This involves unlocking the potential of the two cities (Portsmouth and Southampton) deemed engines of sustainable growth – as well as the wider Solent area.
The ‘Transforming Solent: Marine and Maritime Supplement’ aims to create a climate for sustainable growth in the marine and maritime industry in the Solent. Published by the then Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in April 2014, the plan identifies marine and maritime as the largest sector in the Solent region and establishes the route to reinvigorate its ‘global reputation for marine and maritime excellence through integrated leadership and planning, new technologies and promoting that brand’.
A key objective identified in the Solent Strategy is unlocking critical employment sites and enable new housing to support a growing workforce. The South Hampshire Strategy adopted in October 2012, provides a framework to inform and support the preparation of statutory local plans which will assist the Solent area to plan for housing in a concerted manner. Further to the publication of the new ‘South Hampshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment’ published in January 2014; preparation to review the current South Hampshire Strategy to 2036 is underway which will bring the evidence base in the SHMA with a range of other factors to consider what development should be planned beyond 2026 to support the anticipated level of growth in the PfSH area.