Hart Borough Council Development Management Committee Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2023 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Proposed by Councillor Quarterman and seconded by Councillor Oliver.

Apologies had been received from Councillor Radley. Councillor Worlock was attending virtually.

No declarations made.

The Chairman had the following announcements:

·       The Planning Enforcement Sub-Committee which was due to be held on 18 October has been cancelled as there were no items requiring a decision. The Interim Development Management and Building Control Manager confirmed that an update on current live cases is hoped to be sent to all Members of the Planning Committee by 20 October.

·       The latest Planning engagement evening with Parish and Town Councils took place on Wednesday 4 October. This was well attended and the next one will be in January 2024.

·       On Monday 25 and Thursday 28 September Dr Stefan Kruczkowski provided urban design training to some Members of Planning Committee and officers, and focused on the framework 'Building for a Healthy Life'. This included a tour of a number of completed sites in Odiham, Risley, Hartley Wintney and Edenbrook. A similar tour of completed sites is expected to be held again in the Spring of 2024. The Chairman highlighted that next time, greater notice is hoped to be given.

·       The Queen Elizabeth Barracks Transport Steering Group met on Monday 11 September and the minutes are due to be published with the next Planning Committee agenda.

·       November’s Planning Committee meeting will be chaired by Vice-Chairman of Planning, Councillor Oliver.

The planning reports from the Executive Director, Place were considered and the updates via the Addendum report were accepted.

The Senior Planner summarised that the application is a request to discharge a legal agreement relating to the planning application, referenced 03/00812/FUL granted planning permission on 22 December 2003.

Members had no questions for the Senior Planner.

Members questioned how the Council monitors if these conditions are being compiled to and respected. The Development Management and Building Control Manager confirmed that like other conditions, it would only be investigated if it is brought to the Council’s attention. She highlighted that all planning decision notices are on the Council’s website www.hart.gov.uk

Members debated:

·       If Parish Councils could help and be notified if certain new conditions are made in their area. The Interim Development Management and Building Control Manager confirmed that they currently do not notify parish councils directly, but this suggestion would be considered.

·       The periods of time from when breaches of development are immune from action. This application relates to 10 years as a breach of condition, but others are four.

Shared Legal Services agreed that if the Authority does not know about the breach it would not investigate.

Councillor Southern proposed the officer’s Recommendation and this was seconded by Councillor Wildsmith.

The Committee undertook a recorded vote which was unanimous and APPROVE was carried.

DECISION - APPROVE

Notes:

There were no speakers and no site visit by Members.

The Senior Tree Officer summarised the application as an Area Tree Preservation Order.

He updated the Committee that since publication of the officer report, the Provisional Tree Preservation Order has been modified to split Group 1 into two groups, now Group 1 and Group 6 following the removal of six Holly trees and one Scots Pine from the Order. These trees are located within the curtilage of Woodside, outside of the area subject to potential threat from development therefore it is not expedient to include the trees within the Order.

Because of the reduced site area, the title of the Order is additionally amended from ‘Land at Woodside, Southwood, Konniki and Silverlea’ to ‘Land at Southwood, Konniki and Silverlea’.

The Committee were shown photographs of the site.

There were no questions for the Senior Tree Officer.

Members debated:

·       If the trees had physically been visited by officers - the Senior Tree Officer confirmed they had.

·       The condition of the trees and if they had any diseases or minor structural defects.

·       The impact on the Tree Preservation Order considering that a previous planning application within this site was previously refused and is now at an Appeal stage.

Councillor Wildsmith proposed the officer’s Recommendation, and this was seconded by Councillor Butcher.

The Committee undertook a recorded vote which was unanimous and CONFIRMED WITH MODIFICATIONS was carried.

DECISION – that having taken into consideration the representation received, that Tree Preservation Order ORD/23/00006 is CONFIRMED WITH MODIFICATIONS.

Notes:

There were no speakers and no site visit by Members.