Winchester City Borough Council Kings Barton Forum Meeting

Apologies were received as noted above.

Councillor Porter declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest in respect of various agenda items due to her role as a county councillor.

Councillors Tod and Warwick clarified that they were members of the Forum in their role as a county councillor.

Councillor Cramoysan provided an update of the Hampshire County Council Leader Decision Day held on 9 March 2023 in relation to Andover Road.  Full details of the decision were available on the county council’s website here.  In particular, Councillor Cramoysan drew attention to paragraphs 29, 30 and 31 of the Andover Road (Winchester) Strategy Decision Report.  In summary, whilst the concerns about the implications from traffic passing through the Barton Farm development were given due regard, it was decided that the request to undo the planning permission reached by the Secretary of State was not in the county council’s (as the highway authority) gift to change.

Councillor Cramoysan also reminded those present that the agreed terms of reference of the Forum were to “comment and advise on strategic matters related to the implementation of the MDA”.

Councillor Cramoysan announced that Winchester City Council was recruiting a new Kings Barton Implementation Officer because Naomi Arnold had now left and confirmed that Robert Green (Principal Planning Officer and Team leader) would be the first point of contact from the council in the meantime.

RESOLVED:

          That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 October 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

Kings Barton Residents’ Association (KBRA)

Mike Slinn outlined the various matters arising as set out in the notes circulated prior to the meeting from the KBRA, including their meeting with Cala.  The notes were available on the council’s website here.

In response, it was clarified that at the Hampshire County Council Decision Day referred to above, the proposal was not that Andover Road would remain open for buses.  The intention was that it would close for all traffic between the Harestock Road and Park Road junctions, with traffic being re-rerouted through the Kings Barton development.  However, it might re-open to enable bus access in the vicinity of Henry Beaufort School.

One member advised that she had spoken at the decision day and asked that the decision be deferred to enable further discussions with CALA and also to have regard to significant developments in the area since the planning permission was agreed, such as the proposals for St John Moore barracks. But this approach had not been supported.

It was noted that suggestions for a potential bus route had been raised by the KBRA and it was intended the matter would be an agenda item at  the next Forum meeting  including input from the county council and CALA.

With regard to the KBRA request for information regarding progress on s106 and s278 contributions, Councillor Cramoysan reminded that this was already included in the update report but he would work with officers to improve the ease of understanding of the format presented.

Sharon Evans (Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer) provided an update on the possible CGR timetable, including the following points:

(a)       Availability of council resources – the local elections in 2023 and 2024 both required considerable resources, in addition to planning for a general election likely to be held some time in 2024.

(b)       Government guidance on CGR stated that in considering the appropriate timing of a review, in addition to resource/capacity, the council should also have regard to whether a reasonable number of the emerging community were present to enable a proper consultation and representation.  The exact percentage was not defined, but having regard to other local authorities practices, this was taken to be approximately 40%.

(c)        This percentage had not yet been reached at Kings Barton and with the current trajectory of builds, was estimated to be reached in 2026.

(d)       However, having regard to the stated wish of the KBRA for a CGR and the available council resources, it was considered that a review could take place in 2025 (but not before).

Mrs Evans responded to members’ questions, including on the following points:

(e)       The possibility of combining a review with any emerging new development at St John Moore Barracks would be examined.

(f)         It was noted that the Kings Barton development included both “parished” and “un-parished” areas.  The CGR only related to parish boundaries – any subsequent decision to amend district/city ward or county boundaries would be for the Boundary  Commission.

(g)       She would investigate the current percentage of the Headbourne Worthy parish precept that related to Kings Barton dwellings and advise forum members in due course.

(h)       The review would include consultation with neighbouring and any other effected areas.

(i)         The review would consider factors such as the road between phase 1A and 1B and the location of social and community facilities.

Although not directly related to the CGR, Mrs Evans agreed to ask that the Election Team consider possible solutions relating to polling station provision.  However, she emphasised that until the community centre was available, there were no suitable buildings currently within the development (it was not possible to use the school under current policy. ).

RESOLVED:

          That the update be noted.

Viv Hill (CALA) provided an update on current proposals for the masterplan for the neighbourhood centre.  The presentation slides referred to had been published with the agenda as Appendix 1 to report KBF37.

Mr Hill advised that following the consultation exercise, it was proposed that the car parking area previously suggested to be located between the extra care and retail units (key 3 of their map) be relocated to the east and north of the food store in order to address concerns regarding traffic queuing onto Winchester Avenue.   Full details would be submitted as part of the full planning application on the neighbourhood centre in summer 2023.

Mr Hill responded to questions as summarised below:

(a)    The size and potential design of the community centre.  Steve Lincoln (WCC Service Lead – Community) confirmed that his team were involved in discussions and the key aim would be to ensure flexible use of the space.

(b)    He confirmed that CALA were liaising with the Extra Care Team regarding the design of the extra care facility.  Members highlighted the importance of the provision of proper drop off and pull in spaces, the orientation of the building and outside space.

(c)    Members also highlighted the importance of secured open space in connection with the nursery and the requirement to ensure easy and safe accessibility, including across the main road.

(d)    The existing planning applications included both formal and informal recreation areas.  One Member suggested that spaces should be designed to also consider teenage girls.

Julie Pinnock (WCC Service Lead – Built Environment) provided further clarification regarding the planning application process for the reserve matters.  She explained that the outline planning consent would be a material planning condition and regard would also be had to the Local Plan policy regarding Kings Barton.  She confirmed that it was useful for CALA to have regard to the points raised above and any other comments raised during the consultation in finalising the planning application.

RESOLVED:

          That the update be noted.

Robert Green (WCC Principal Planning Officer - Team Leader South) introduced the report and Steve Lincoln (WCC Service Lead – Community) was also present to respond to questions.  The following points were raised.

(a)     Mr Lincoln provided an update on the current situation regarding transfer of the play area to Headbourne Worthy Parish Council, explaining that agreement was required with CALA regarding the commuted sum.

(b)     General comments regarding the best means for ensuring members comments were fed into forthcoming planning applications at an early but appropriate stage.

(c)      The possibility of providing more information regarding timescales relating to transfer of open spaces in the report.

Councillor Cramoysan stated that the next Forum meeting was scheduled for 11 July 2023 and the following items were proposed for the agenda:

(i)          Winchester Avenue specifications & negotiations between HCC and CALA – he requested that a representative from HCC Highways Team be invited.

(ii)         Bus services – he requested that a representative from HCC Transport team be invited to provide an update to the meeting outlined how the funding already allocated would be spent.

(iii)        The new, easier to understand presentation of the S106/S278 tracker.

RESOLVED:

               That the update and the proposed items for the next Forum meeting be noted.