Winchester City Borough Council Kings Barton Forum Meeting

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Cramoysan be appointed as Vice-Chairperson for the remainder of the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

Apologies for the meeting were noted as above.

Councillor Weir declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest as a trustee of the University of Winchester Academy Trust which operated the Barton Farm Academy. 

Councillor Cunningham declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest as a member of Littleton and Harestock Parish Council.

Councillor Iredale clarified that in addition to being a parish councillor she was also secretary of the Kings Barton residents’ association.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 July 2021 be approved and adopted.

The Chairperson welcomed Mike Slinn (Vice-Chair of the Kings Barton Residents Association (KBRA)) to the meeting.

Mr Slinn stated that a successful meeting had taken place between the residents’ association and Ian Curry from Cala Homes and it was intended that this be repeated prior to future Forum meetings.

He raised three specific issues for the Forum:

·         KBRA had submitted objections to Hampshire County Council (HCC) regarding the proposal to retain a 40mph speed limit along the section of road where the new crossing would be installed. A 30mph speed limit was requested.

·         Request that the main road through the development (Winchester Avenue) be designated as 20mph (rather than 30mph) as it had been designed for 20mph speed limit.

·         Request that the KBRA be given the opportunity to comment on the design of the road once the design had been finalised by HCC.

Councillors Porter and Warwick (as County Councillors) agreed to take up the points raised by Mr Slinn with the relevant HCC executive member. 

Councillor Iredale also raised a number of points:

·         The footpath from Andover Road to the Kings Barton Academy was still awaiting suitable surfacing;

·         Headbourne Worthy parish council had some concerns regarding the future maintenance costs of the new play park in Phase 1b and had requested that the proposed hedging be removed and the access gate widened.

·         Requested an update on the provision of a new polling station?

·         Requested an update on the request to increase the number of parish councillors on the parish council.

The Chair highlighted that some of these matters had been raised at the previous meeting, as set out in the minutes.  It was agreed that these be considered under the update report below.  In addition, Councillor Porter stated that she would be meeting with the HCC education team and school transport team shortly and should then be able to provide an update regarding the footpath.

The Chairperson welcomed to the meeting Nick Read-Beale and Bea Walecki from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIOWWT).  Mr Read-Beale gave a presentation which provided an update on the Barton Meadows.  The presentation was available on the Council’s website here.

Mr Read-Beale highlighted that the Trust was currently acting as land managers of the meadows for Cala Homes.  It was intended that Cala would enter into a long term lease of the meadows with the City Council and WCC would subsequently offer a tenancy of the meadows to the Trust.

Forum members raised the following points:

·         Could improvements to the surface of the path that runs alongside the road at a steep angle could be considered further?  In response, Mr Read-Beale and Mr Hughes (Major Developments Team Leader) highlighted that further consideration of this would have to wait until the site had been leased to WCC.

·         Noted that there had been use of the area by off-road cycle and other riders which was not permitted and the situation should be kept under review.  The parish council would be installing “no cycling” signs at entrance to the paths.

The Chairperson thanked Mr Read-Beale for the presentation and for responding to Forum questions.

Mr Hughes responded to the points raised by Mr Slinn and Councillor Iredale earlier in the meeting:

·         With regard to the new crossing, Councillor Warwick provided an update from HCC that the design was agreed and work would be completed in 2022.  The importance of the appropriate location for the crossing and the speed limit that applied was emphasised.

·         With regard to the surfacing of the path to the school, work was ongoing with HCC and it was hoped that this would be resolved shortly.

·         With regard to the ongoing maintenance of the play area, Mr Hughes advised that further discussions were required between WCC and the parish council to reach an agreement.

·         With regard to a new polling station, no update was available from the Elections Team at this time but he would pursue this matter on behalf of the forum.

·         With regard to a possible review of the number of parish councillors, it was agreed that this be included as an agenda item on the next meeting.

·          

Mr Hughes then provided a general update on implementation, as set out in the report.  He responded to members’ questions as summarised below:

·         The Forum noted that the new post box was situated in phase 1B at Wakelin Gardens, off Winchester Avenue;

·         Confirmed that the notes of the meeting between the residents’ association and Cala would be circulated as an addendum to future update report (nb subsequently agreed that the notes from the latest meeting would be attached as an appendix to these minutes);

·         The future of St John Moore barracks would be included as part of the presentation on the Winchester Movement Strategy at the next Forum meeting;

·         It was noted that the new Heras fencing installed by Cala homes along Andover Road to secure the Phase 2A site had caused some concerns to local residents etc.  Mr Hughes confirmed that discussions with Cala had confirmed that the fencing was temporary and the area fenced off included some public open space areas.  The Chairperson requested that Cala homes notify local residents and councillors of any future works in advance.

·         With regard to an update on the local centre, Viv Hill (Cala) clarified that planning applications had been submitted as part of the requirement for all outline consent matters to be submitted by September 2019 and the Forum updated at this time.  However, discussions were underway to re-examine the proposals for the centre to ensure the right uses were provided in the right places and he anticipated that these revised plans could be shared with the Forum within the next few months.

·         Mr Hill confirmed that a revised phasing plan in general could be shared with the Forum.

·         With regard to some concern expressed regarding the need for transparency over future meetings of the steering group, Dawn Adey (Strategic Director) confirmed that she would ensure the Forum was kept updated with discussions taking place at these steering group meetings.

·         Mr Hill confirmed that he was working with Cala homes to ensure appropriate, timely and joined up management of the opening of the Wellhouse Lane railway path and adjoining pathways.

·         With regard to the possibility of a footpath to connect phase 1A and the school, Mr Hill stated that once all the plots to the south of winterbourne meadows had been completed, this would be possible.  He estimated this to take place in spring 2022.

·         Mr Hill confirmed that discussions had taken place with Cala homes regarding the provision of more information regarding an indicative timeline of future elements of the development.  It was intended that this information be initially shared at the steering group meeting but then could be circulated to all Forum members, in advance of the next meeting.

The Forum welcomed the report as providing a useful overview.

Mr Hughes advised that there were ongoing delays regarding the HCC s106 agreement.  Councillor Porter updated that this had occurred due to staff absences due to illness at HCC and they were aware matters were outstanding.  As a local member, she was now receiving fortnightly updates.