Eastleigh Borough Council Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee Meeting

One member of the public spoke regarding the grass verges in the area. He was concerned that strimming instead of mowing was going to cause irreversible damage to the grass verge, and they were no longer looking neat and tidy.

He requested a written response to the following:

How many grass cuts are the Council contracted to make?

How many cuts have been made since April to the end of September 2023?

When would the Council stop strimming and return to cylinder mowing?

He stated the current method of strimming is not suitable and will erode the quality of the grass, and also the cement in the kerbs.

It was agreed the Local Area Manager would provide a written response.

There were no declarations of interest in relation to items of business on the agenda.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Chair welcomed everyone back after the summer break, and he hoped that everyone, members of the public, council staff and councillors, managed to spend time relaxing and enjoying, or enduring, the hot weather.

The Chair congratulated staff and pupils of St. Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School, who received a gold award from the Hampshire Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS), for their work teaching English to children where it is their second language.  He mentioned that the pupils acted as young interpreters to assist their classmates to integrate and learn English, and they were only one of nine schools in the county, and the first in Eastleigh, to receive the award.

The Chair hoped to relay some peace of mind to the public regarding the finances of the Borough Council by stating that Eastleigh was one of the councils that had done better financially because of its strong asset management, and as a result the council was able to make a substantial contribution towards the cost of the new 44 bus service – along with both Chandler’s Ford Parish and Hampshire County Council. The Chair mentioned the service had experienced some teething problems and a larger vehicle was now being used, but he urged more people to make use of the service.

The Chair was looking forward to seeing the new EBC electric refuse vehicle in use, which would be better for the environment and for residents due to the lack of engine noise.

Consideration was given to the report of the Local Area Manager (Agenda Item 6) that contained recommendations for expenditure from the Committee’s capital and revenue budget.

RESOLVED –

That the Committee:

(1)  allocated £455 from revenue reserve to install a dual waste bin in Oakmount Road;

(2)  allocated up to £600 from revenue reserve for room hire at The Hilt for youth provision, and

(3)  noted the recent achievements supported by the Local Area Committee, highlighted in Appendix 1 of Item 6.

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 8) concerning an application for construction of 1.no 4-bedroom dwelling at land adjacent to 52 The Crossways, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 3BU. (Ref: F/23/95155).

The Committee was updated that a note to applicant had been added to the recommendation, as follows:

Note to Applicant: The applicant is advised the granting of permission for the development does not imply right of access to The Crossways which is a private road. ?The applicant is advised to seek and obtain permission for the use of the private road in The Crossways from the owners of the road before commencing the development.

There was debate on the application, which included what could be taken into account for planning considerations and the need for the applicant to apply for deeds of easement before any works could commence.

Councillor Pragnell expressed his concern that Southern Water had not raised any concerns about drainage and stated that he would be following his concerns up with Southern Water in writing,

RESOLVED -

That permission be DELEGATED back to the Service Director of Planning and Environment in conjunction with The Chair and Vice Chair to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION with the conditions included within the report and subject to an update which included an additional informative to the decision notice, as follows:

Note to Applicant: The applicant is advised the granting of permission for the development does not imply right of access to The Crossways which is a private road. ?The applicant is advised to seek and obtain permission for the use of the private road in The Crossways from the owners of the road before commencing the development.

The written recommendation was also subject to receiving upfront payment towards the mitigation of New Forest recreation.

(NOTE: Five people spoke (without prejudice) in objection to the application citing concerns, that included but were not limited to, statements made by agents were felt to be misleading, restricted covenants in place in the road, deeds of easement for access (which needed to be given by all current residents of the road), lack of information and notice being sent to all residents, limited information within the report, proximity to existing dwellings, overlooking, sewage access, safety of access into the road, lack of visitor parking, road safety, Southern Water not raising an objection when there were already clear issues with flooding in the road, ethics of the planning process, surface water drainage, land stability, and access to the Keeble Road site.

The agent to the applicant spoke in support of the application.)

The Committee considered the report of the Service Director for Planning and Environment (Agenda Item 9) concerning an application for construction of a two bedroom dwelling (amended F/22/93733) at Land Adjacent to 20 Steele Close, Chandler’s Ford, SO53 3AA. (Ref: F/23/94934).

There were no updates.

Councillor Pragnell raised concerns that the application did not fit with the Council’s Quality Places Supplementary Planning Document.

RESOLVED -

That permission be DELEGATED back to the Service Director of Planning and Environment in conjunction with The Chair and Vice Chair to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION with the conditions recommended within the report, and subject to securing of contributions towards the Council’s New Forest Mitigation Strategy.

(NOTE: Two people spoke in objection to the application citing concerns, that included but were not limited to, damage to the trees on the site, shading of the building if built (from the trees), viability of the site, lack of parking, which is already an issue in the area, air quality from increased movement of vehicles, air ventilation system in the design, impact on health of neighbours from worsened air quality, impact on the current trees, visual impact of the design, and sound impact.

The agent for the applicant spoke in support of the application.)

The Legal Services Manager reported:-

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

134 Park Road, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh. SO53 1HQ 

Appealed against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for a ground floor extension and loft conversion. (H/23/94953)

This was a delegated decision.

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

Land on Corner of Belmont and Wiltshire Road, Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire

Appealed against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for a 5G telecoms installation: 15m street pole and 3 additional ancillary equipment cabinets and associated ancillary works. (PN/22/93378)

This was a delegated decision.

RESOLVED -

That the report be noted.