Havant Borough Council Planning Committee Meeting

There were no apologies for absence received for this meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 14^th November 2024 and the minutes of the Site Viewing Working Party held on 14^th November 2024 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no declarations of interests relating to matters on the agenda.

There were no matters to be considered for site viewing and deferment.

The site was viewed by the Site Viewing Working Party

Proposal:      Installation of fencing and lights to form two Padel Tennis courts.

The Committee considered the written report and recommendation from the Head of Planning to refuse permission.

The Committee received supplementary information, circulated prior to the

meeting, which included:

1.               written deputations submitted on behalf of the applicant, objectors and supporters; and

2.               an update sheet which included clarification that the existing flood lights for the tennis courts around the perimeter are 8.5m high and one set of lights in the middle of the court are 7.75m high.

The Committee was addressed by:

1.     Mr Murray, objector, read his deputation to the committee outlining concerns of some residents neighbouring the centre.
In response to questions from members Mr Murray:

(i) Confirmed that the recommended distance, in the Netherlands, from properties is 160m from properties.

(ii) Felt that non-member fees discourage non-members; this would make the proposal not suitable for the general public as suggested.

2.     Mr Satchwell, member at Seacourt and padel player, read his deputation to the committee in support of the application.
In response to questions from members Mr Satchwell:
(i) Confirmed that he is aware of school children attending the centre to take part.
(ii) Advised that the current court used is not the right size or surface according to Padel regulations.
 

3.    Mr McDermott, the applicant’s agent, reiterated the issues set out in the written deputation submitted on behalf of the applicant.
In response to questions from members of the Committee, Mr McDermott:

(i) Confirmed that opening hours of the club are 9am-11pm with the last booking for tennis at 9pm

4.     Mr Atkins, the applicant, reiterated the issues set out in the written deputation submitted on behalf of the applicant.
In response to questions from members of the Committee, Mr Atkins:
(i) Confirmed the lawn tennis courts last session is until 10pm. The proposal suggests the last padel session would be 7-8pm and lighting would also cease at this point.
(ii) Advised that the non-member price had not yet been agreed for padel. However current court price is £6pp per hour
(iii) The exact number of Petanque players at the Club was not known to him.

The officers commented on the issues raised by public speakers and in the written submissions as follows:

·       Officers accepted that the proposal supports health and wellbeing however, it was advised the site location will cause significant harm to neighbouring residents outweighing this benefit.

·       This application must follow UK legislation and rules.

·       The reason planning permission was required for the proposal was due to the fence and hardsurfacing involved in the creation of the courts.

·       New information was provided to the EHO following their initial consultation response, meaning further investigation took place into the noise levels of padel courts.

In response to questions from members of the Committee, officers:

·       Confirmed that charges to be applied for use are not a consideration in this application; and

·       Confirmed the height of existing flood lights at the tennis court at 8.5m high with one set of lights in the middle of the court at 7.75m high and proposed flood lights to be 6m high.

The Committee discussed the application in detail together with the views raised by deputees.

It was recognised by the committee that the Council’s policies promote health and wellbeing and that this proposal, if granted, would support those policies. It was suggested that an increase in fence height around the perimeter may help to negate some of the noise pollution. 

Members were concerned with the potential noise levels and the impact on residents, especially those whose properties are in close proximity to the boundaries.

RESOLVED that application APP/23/00415 be refused for the following reasons:

The proposal would be inappropriately located close to neighbouring properties, and as a result would have a significant adverse impact on the occupiers of those neighbouring residential properties by reason of noise and disturbance which would have a detrimental and injurious impact on their wellbeing and use of their properties, contrary to Policies CS16 e) and DM10 of the Havant Borough Local Plan (Core Strategy) 2011 and the National Planning Policy Framework.

The site was viewed by the Site Viewing Working Party

Proposal: Submission of reserved matters (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) for Phase 2 only (excluding phases 2a and 2b) pursuant to outline planning permission APP/22/00172 for phased demolition of existing buildings and the erection of new flexible use employment floorspace (Use Classes E(g)(i)-(iii)/B2/B8) and ancillary uses (Use Classes E(b), E(d) and E(f)); and associated works. 

The Committee considered the written report and recommendation from the Head of Planning to grant approval of reserved matters.

The Committee received supplementary information, circulated prior to the

meeting, which included:

1.     A written deputation submitted on behalf of the applicant; and

2.    An update sheet addendum including further comments received from HCC Arboriculturalist, amended sustainable design comments in relation to passive parking spaces, amended Recommendation and additional planning condition.

3.    An update sheet addendum including further comments received from the Local Lead Flood Authority requiring further surface water drainage information. The update included the proposed conditions. 

The Committee was addressed by: 

·       Mr Newton, the applicant’s agent, who reiterated the issues set out in the written deputation submitted on behalf of the applicant.  

  In response to questions from members of the Committee, Mr Newton:

·       Confirmed that the applicant believes they have reached acceptable levels of energy efficiency with solar panels and electric vehicle charging capabilities proposed within the application.

·       Marketing would take place to flexible employment uses – it was considered that the proposals would appeal to a range of occupiers.

In response to questions from members of the Committee, officers:

·       advised members that the proposed buildings are designed to bring minimal disruption to neighbouring residents alongside proposed additional landscaping; and

·       porous surfaces have been taken into account with the drainage solutions within the parking area. 

The Committee discussed the application in detail together with the views raised by deputees. 

RESOLVED that application APP/24/00274 be granted permission subject to:

A)  The receipt of an appropriate response from the Local Lead Flood Authority in relation to drainage; 

B)  The following conditions:

1.     The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

Plans

Site Location Plan Drawing No. 001 Rev A

Proposed Site Plan Drawing No. 004 Rev A

Phasing Plan Drawing No. 006 Rev A

Proposed Ground Floor Plan Unit 5 Drawing No. 009

Proposed First Floor Plan Unit 5 Drawing No. 010

Proposed Ground Floor Plan Unit 6 and 7 Drawing No. 011

Proposed First Floor Plan Unit 6 and 7 Drawing No. 012

Proposed Elevations and Section Unit 5 Drawing No. 014 Rev P2

Proposed Elevations and Section Unit 6-7 Drawing No. 015

Proposed Roof Plan Unit 5 Drawing No. 018

Proposed Roof Plan Units 6 & 7 Drawing No. 019

Proposed Site Sections & Proposed Street Elevation Drawing No. 020

Landscape General Arrangement Plan Sheet 1 of 2 Drawing No. 060 Rev C

Landscape General Arrangement Plan Sheet 2 of 2 Drawing No. 061 Rev C

Landscape Detail Drawing No. 062

Proposed Elevations Unit 5 External Materials Drawing No. 068

Proposed Elevations Unit 6-7 External Materials Drawing No. 069

Proposed External Materials Site Plan Drawing No. 070 Rev A

Proposed Cycle Storage Facilities Drawing No. 071 Rev A

Proposed Car Parking Plan Drawing No. 072 Rev A

Tree Protection Plan Drawing No. 1746-03

Documents

Design and Access Statement July 2024 Phase 2 (Plot A) PRC

Flood Risk Assessment Baynham Meikle Havant Phase II Report Ref: R100 Rev 1.0

External Lighting Assessment Watkins Payne Issue 8

Baynham Meikle 13508 Havant Phase 2 Letter dated 21st October 2024: - Response to Lead Local Flood Authority

Baynham Meikle 13508 Havant Phase 2 Letter dated 4th September 2024: - Response to Lead Local Flood Authority

Arboricultural Method Statement 24th July 2024 Project No 1746

BREEAM UK NC V6 Pre-Assessment Report AES Sustainability Consultations Ltd 16 February 2024

Ecological Mitigation, Compensation and Enhancement Strategy – Phase 2 Phlorum 22nd March 2024 Ref: RS/12747 EMCES/BC

Technical Note: Noise Conditions 20th March 2024 - Langstone Phase 2

Sustainability Features Langstone Technology Park Phase 2  Condition 34 Discharge: Issue 3

2.     The landscaping works shown on the approved plans Drawing No's 060 Rev C and 061 Rev C shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details and in accordance with any timing / phasing arrangements approved or within the first planting season following final occupation of the development hereby permitted, whichever is the sooner. Any trees or shrubs planted or retained in accordance with this condition which are removed, uprooted, destroyed, die or become severely damaged or become seriously diseased within 5 years of planting shall be replaced within the next planting season by trees or shrubs of similar size and species to those originally required to be planted.

Reason: To ensure the appearance of the development is satisfactory and having due regard to policies CS11, CS16, DM8 and DM9 of the Havant Borough Local Plan (Core Strategy) 2011 and the National Planning Policy Framework.