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

Councillor Hadaway declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7 as he lives opposite the proposed development.

There was no public participation on this occasion.

The Chair read the following report:

“I was delighted to see so many people attend last week’s LAC meeting regarding the Ageas/Utilita Bowl planning application. It was good to see and hear the residents of West End voice their opinions and take part in the discussions, it would be great to see more residents attending our HEWEB Local Area Committee meetings in the future. As many of you will know, Hampshire Cricket and the Rose Bowl have successfully secured Utilita to sponsor the naming rights of the stadium. Having read in the media they have an aspiration to make it one of the greenest cricket grounds in the country and are looking to install more than 1,000 solar panels at the stadium to help tackle climate change and be more environmentally friendly.

Although I was disappointed to see Barclays close their branch in Hegde End village last year, I was pleased that Eastleigh Borough Council, Hedge End Town Council and Barclays were able to agree for Barclays to have a mobile banking van on the old Budgens site on Wednesdays. 

On 24th January together with other EBC Councillors I attended a meeting with the NHS and ICB to find out more about the proposed new Hospital to be located just outside of Basingstoke as part of the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Although a new hospital sounds positive, concerns were raised regarding, funding, residents of Eastleigh accessing A & E and public transport links to get to the site, especially as certain services are being relocated form Winchester to Basingstoke. Hopefully, the NHS will take these comments into account when designing the services at the new hospital.

Although I was unable to attend due to prior commitments, I was pleased to hear that new EBC director Dee O’Rourke attended a tour of the HEWEB area on 18 January and visit so many important sites and met lots of key partners along the way.

The Hatch Farm public art consultation took place on Friday 26 January and dialogue continues with residents about the design and location of the artwork.

I attended the Christmas show, Father Christmas adapted from the Raymond Briggs book, at the Berry in December and it was absolutely fantastic, and I know it was well attended by lots of people of all ages, who gave really positive feedback. It has just been announced that the Christmas show at The Berry this year will be “Theres a Monster in your Christmas Show” adapted from “Theres a Monster in your Book “by the popular children’s author Tom Fletcher who is also a member of the band McFly. We have David Baddiel coming to the Berry on 4,5,6 March, and some tickets are still available.  The Berry is also putting on Monthly accessible cinema shows, and a monthly comedy club called Berry Funny. See the berry website for more details.

We are very fortunate to have the Berry Theatre in our community, giving local people access to fabulous productions, some with well-known faces, and all just within a short walk or drive at very competitive prices.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone that we have less 9 days left for young people or community groups working with young people to apply for our youth themed community grants fund at HEWEB. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 14 February.”

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 6) concerning an application to erect a single storey children’s nursery with off road parking (revised scheme). (Ref: F/23/96256).

Councillor Kyrle proposed that the application be deferred. This was seconded by Councillor Welsh. Three Councillors voted to defer the application and was therefore not successful.

RESOLVED -

That permission be GRANTED as per recommendation and conditions set out in report.

[Note: The Planning Consultant, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application, stating that the staggered arrival and departure times of the nursery would assist with traffic concerns, the scheme was designed to meet the needs of the end user and believed that the development would be an asset to the community.]

The Committee considered the report of the Service Director for Planning and Environment (Agenda item 7) concerning an application for a single storey front, rear and side extension. Two storey side extension. Demolition of garage). (Ref: H/23/95222).

Councillor Hadaway declared a non-pecuniary interest as he lives opposite the site and did not take part in the item.  

RESOLVED -

That permission be REFUSED as per recommendation.

[Note: A written statement was received in objection to the application citing concerns over the boundary between the two properties. The Senior Chartered Legal Executive advised that it is a civil matter and that independent legal advice should be sought.]

The Committee considered the report of the Service Director for Planning and Environment (Agenda item 8) for the listed building consent for the construction of 1no. two storey detached dwelling and garage within rear garden (Ref: L/23/96047).

RESOLVED –

To GRANT listed building consent as per the recommendation.

The Committee considered the report of the Service Director for Planning and Environment (Agenda item 9) for the construction of 1no. two storey detached dwelling and garage within rear garden (Ref: F/23/96022).

RESOLVED –

That subject to securing contributions towards:

a)  New Forest Mitigation Strategy

b)  The Solent Recreation Mitigation Strategy.

To delegate back to the Service Director for Planning and Environment in conjunction with The Chair and Vice Chair to GRANT planning permission.

With two additional conditions:

1.  No development shall commence until the access gate on the site boundary with the High Street has been removed or set in a minimum of 8m from the highway edge.

    Reason: In the interest of highway safety.

2.  Space for the passing of two vehicles shall be provided at the site access (to the western side of the building at 25 High Street) and kept available for this purpose in perpetuity.

    Reason: In the interest of highway safety.

[Note: One person spoke in objection to the proposal citing concerns that the design would detract from the character of Botley House, requested additional tree planning to screen their property and the reinstatement of the original height of the boundary wall along the Western Boundary.]

The Local Area Manager presented the report (Agenda Item 10).

RESOLVED –

That the Committee:

(1)  approved the allocation of £4,014 from the committee’s revenue budget for ten Hedge End, West End and Botley (HEWEB) community grants applicants, as recommended by the HEWEB subgroup grants panel, as shown in Appendix 1;

(2)  approved the allocation of £1,820 from the reserves for the replacement and installation of four bins at Portelet Place and the sport pitches in Boorley park;

(3)  approved the allocation of £3,966 from reserves for Food & Environmental Ltd for six sessions of clearing the Pennywort from Cheltenham Gardens Pond from spring 2024;

(4)  approved the allocation of £10,325 from developer contributions for the Bursledon Common (Peewit Hill) Habitat management project;

(5)  noted the spend of £2,000 for a leisure facility feasibility report from reserves;

(6)  approved the HEWEB Local Area Action Plan 2024/25 shown in Appendix 2 for adoption and publication;

(7)  noted the achievements in the local area supported by the Local Area Committee (LAC), highlighted in Appendix 3; and

(8)  approved the allocation of £19,900 from developer contributions to West End Parish Council for the refurbishment of the community Hatch Café.

The Head of Legal Services reported:-

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

MOORGREEN FARMHOUSE, MOORGREEN FARM, BURNETTS LANE, WEST END, SOUTHAMPTON, SO30 2HH

Appeal against the Council’s refusal of the conversion of first floor of existing detached garage to C1 AirBnB (Ref: F/23/95117)

25 SOUTHERN ROAD, WEST END, SOUTHAMPTON, SO30 3ES

Appeal against the Council’s refusal of the variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) of planning permission F/21/91036 (Erection of detached four-bedroom dwelling and detached garage following demolition of existing dwelling) to replace approved plan PL04 with revised plan PL04 Rev A to allow the as built Hardie Plank weatherboard cladding in anthracite grey (from the approved Pearl Grey) (Ref: X/23/95259)

25 SOUTHERN ROAD, WEST END, SOUTHAMPTON, SO30 3ES

Appeal against the Council’s refusal of the erection of front boundary fencing (Retrospective Application). This appeal is linked to the appeal at 25 Southern Road, application reference X/23/95259. (Ref H/23/95400)

RESOLVED -

That the report be noted.