Gosport Borough Council Economic Development Board Meeting

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There were none.

There were none.

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Consideration was given to a report of the Planning Policy Manager detailing the following.

In accordance with the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) public bodies have a duty to cooperate on planning issues that cross administrative boundaries.  Consequently it is necessary for both Gosport Borough Council (GBC) and Fareham Borough Council (FBC) to agree a Statement of Common Ground (SoCG) for their respective Local Plans.

Members will recall that an initial version of the SoCG for the Fareham Local Plan 2037 (FLP2037) between the two authorities was agreed by this Board on 17^th November 2021.  This highlighted that there was an outstanding highway issue that needed further research and that it may be necessary to revise the SoCG accordingly. This report sets out the details surrounding this outstanding issue.

The Board was advised that the original objection to the transport issues had been addressed.

In answer to a Member’s question, the Board was advised that a request had been made to be present at the inquiry it would be down to the inspector to determine it officers would be allowed to attend.

As there was support for the removal of proposals on the HA2 site, this would not require attendance as attendance was permitted for those that felt that the Local Plan was not sound.

In this instance the proposed developer may be allowed to attend as it is anticipated they would feel the plan was not sound. If a change was proposed there would be a need for another consultation period and there was no way to fast track the application.

The Board was advised that there was an awareness that the proposed developer had been leaflet dropping to the neighbouring areas of Peel Common, Stubbington and Bridgemary North advising of their desire to construct additional properties.

Fareham Borough Council’s current Local Plan was amended in 2014 and the Council were under pressure across varying locations in the Borough because of proposed sites. Concern was expressed that the location at Newgate Lane East was determined to be more suitable as the impact of Fareham residents would be less.

Concern was also expressed that as Fareham Borough Council had failed to meet their Housing Delivery Test there would be increased pressure for the site to be used.  

The growth of the Borough would not impact on the outside of the Borough and the agreement for the provision of the transport network were based on the current figures.

The Board was advised that there was headroom within the current modelling growth for development within the Borough and that this would not impact on the Local Plan. The inspector would acknowledge when there are no more suitable sites for growth and this could be used to prove a need for the Newgate Lane sites. There was not an immediate need for this.

The Board was advised that the Gosport growth was on figures of 3500 dwellings and if the Borough were required to take any more there would need to be an additional transport assessment based on higher figures.

There was great concern that the proposed properties in Fareham would increase the damage to the Borough and recognised that there had already been a number of consultations.

There was significant concern expressed at any proposal to utilise either the Stubbington bypass, or Newgate Lane East for and that these developments would erode the character of the Strategic Gap.

It was accepted that the Council would need to sign the Statement of Common Ground and that Fareham Borough Council had already signed it.

RESOLVED:

That the Board:

·         Approves the Second Version of the Fareham Local Plan 2037: Statement of Common Ground between Fareham Borough Council and Gosport Borough Council (Appendix 1) and that the Head of Planning and Regeneration duly signs it on behalf of the Council.

·         That this Council withdraws its holding objection to the Fareham Local Plan 2037 on the specific highway matter detailed in this report.