Eastleigh Borough Council Hedge End, West End and Botley Local Area Committee Meeting

Councillor Gomer declared a pecuniary interest in Item 7 of the Agenda as he owns the property.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There was no public participation on this occasion.

The Chair attended the Remembrance Sunday service at Hedge End on Sunday 12 November, where so many people attend to remember those who gave their lives in two world wars and all other conflicts across the world.

On Thursday 5 October, the Chair attended the Botley in Bloom presentation evening, and enjoyed celebrating the success of some beautiful gardens, hanging baskets and allotments in the village, with residents who had worked hard all year.

The Chair was delighted to see the newly proposed public art project at Hatch Farm has started to take shape, with the commissioned artists working with pupils at St James School and members of the local community to contribute to a fantastic project for the local area.

On Thursday 9 November, the Chair attended the Ageas Bowl liaison panel meeting to listen to resident’s concerns around traffic and coning during events and match days. Eastleigh Borough Council was hoping to work collectively with Hampshire Highways, the Ageas Bowl, the Parish Council, and the residents, to minimalise disruption during events at the stadium to allow spectators and residents to enjoy cricket and large events.

The Chair stated that Hedge End, West End and Botley (HEWEB) community grants had now closed and they had received a total of 14 applications, which would be assessed by the panel to approve in January.

The Committee would be touring new Eastleigh Borough Council corporate Directors, Dee O’Rourke and Peter Hopkins, around the area in December to show them the sights, and bring them up to speed on the key issues faced locally.

Finally, the Chair welcomed Keely Mitchell who joined the HEWEB team last month as the new Assistant Local Area Manager, who had taken over from Siobhan Strand.

The Principal Planning Officer gave a short presentation on guidelines that had to be taken into account when determining planning applications; in particular the issues that could, and could not, be taken into account.  This was set against the broader policy framework.

The Committee considered the report of the Service Director for Planning and Environment (Agenda Item 7) concerning an application for the construction of shed in front garden. (Ref: H/23/95836).

There were no updates.

RESOLVED -

That permission be GRANTED as outlined within the report.

(NOTE:Councillor Gomer declared a pecuniary interest in Item 7 of the Agenda as he owns the property. He left the room before the item and did not take part in the debate or vote on the item.)

The Committee considered the report of the Service Director for Planning and Environment (Agenda Item 8) concerning an application for the construction of 8.no dwellings (2No. two bedroom, 4No. three bedroom and 2No. four bedroom) with associated access, parking and landscaping. (Ref: F/23/95431).

The Committee was updated with the following:

-  Comments were still awaited from Natural England;

-  No further representations had been received; and

-  There was a slightly revised recommendation to include the wording: ‘in consultation with Chair and Vice-chair’.

There was lengthy debate around access concerns and the safety of the residents of 12/13/14 Home Farm, lack of pavements and lighting, parking provision and the use of garages, and concerns around the future of the remaining land.

RESOLVED -

That permission be delegated back to the Service Director for Planning and the Environment in consultation with the Chair, Vice-chair and Ward Councillors to PERMIT subject to the following matters being appropriately resolved:

-  Securing the future of remaining allocated site land;

-  Improved site access to include pavement and lighting;

-  Improved parking provision to include amending garages to carports;

-  Receipt of outstanding consultation responses and any necessary actions required as a result of comments received; and

-  Securing mitigation towards recreational impact of the development upon the Solent and New Forest SPAs.

(NOTE: Five people spoke in objection to the application, citing concerns that included, but were not limited to, impact on community, impact on wildlife and birds, further stress on medical facilities, dentists and schools, damage the development would cause to trees and countryside, damage construction vehicles would cause to the current access road, safety of residents living near the access road, width of proposed access road, drainage concerns, standing water and flooding probabilities, lack of energy statements and constructions plans, parking, turning circle not being big enough for large vehicles, loss of views and light, lack of pavements and lighting, loss of trees and landscaping, and construction impact on health of current residents.

The agent to the applicant spoke in support of the application, thanking the planning officer for his work and stating that the application was a quality scheme that worked within the constraints of the land and motorway.)

The Local Area Manager presented the report (Agenda Item 9).

RESOLVED –

That the Committee:

(1)  approved the allocation of £17,000 from a combination of developer contributions and reserves to implement a public art vision for HEWEB;

(2)  noted the change of funding source for the allocation of £9000 to alter and relocate the Hedge End Green Routes Autumn sculpture from reserves to a developer contribution;

(3)  approved the allocation of £790 from the committee’s revenue budget to install dragons’ teeth and railing repairs at the footpath on Marlborough Gardens in Hedge End;

(4)  approved the allocation of £473 from the committee’s revenue budget to replace and install a concrete post and replace picket fencing at Cudworth Mead, Hedge End; and

(5)  approved the proposed fees and charges for 2024 set out in Appendix A.

The Legal Services Manager reported:-

(a)  that the following appeals had been lodged:-

23 Oatlands Road, Botley, SO32 2DE

Appealed against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for the construction of a detached 3 bedroom dwelling with parking, amenity space and creating of new access revision to application F/22/93238.

This was a delegated decision.

Broadway Farm, Broad Oak, Botley, Southampton. SO30 2EU 

Appealed against the Council’s refusal of a Lawful Development Certificate for an existing use or operation: Building operation by the laying of sub-base hardcore (type one crushed concrete) with concrete based cellular 'grasscrete', together with the parking of motorised vehicles to include heavy vehicles and trailers in accordance with an Operator's Licence.

This was a delegated decision.

Hilltop, Pinewood Park, Southampton. SO19 6AL

Appealed against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for the change of Use from C3 Dwelling House to C2 Residential Care Home for 6 Adults with Learning Disabilities and Autistic Spectrum Disorder, with internal alterations to property.

This was a Local Area Committee decision.

(b)  that the following appeals had been allowed:-

24 Grange Road, Hedge End, SO30 2FB

Appealed against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for the retention of a partly reinstated boundary wall, add an additional return wall and roof to create carport. Carry out works to driveway. Grading surface and the entrance. Installing permeable paving/stone to the driveway and installation of gates (partly retrospective).

This was a delegated decision.

(c)  that the following appeals had been dismissed:-

Rear of 82 St John’s Road, Hedge End, SO30 4DF

Appealed against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for the erection of a detached 4 bedroom bungalow, provided with associated access, car parking, amenity space and storage facilities.

This was a delegated decision.

7 Lynton Road, Hedge End, SO30 4EY

Appealed against an enforcement notice relating to a breach of planning control as alleged in the notice is without planning permission, the erection of a fence in excess of 1 metre in height above ground level and adjacent to the highway.

RESOLVED -

That the report be noted.