12 04 2005

The Mayor (Councillor Edwards)(ex-officio), Chairman of Policy and Organisation Board (Councillor Hook)(ex-officio), Councillors Allen, Carr(P), Clinton(P), Davis, Farr(P), Foster(P), Gill(P), Smith(P), Taylor(P) and Train(P).

 

 

It was reported that, in accordance with Standing Orders, Councillor Hayward had been nominated to replace Councillor Allen for this meeting.

 

 

 

 

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were received from Councillors Allen and Davis.

 

 

 

 

Councillors Smith and Hayward declared an interest in Agenda Item 7/03 (K16850 – 83-93 High Street, Lee-on-the-Solent).

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Regulatory Board meeting held on 15 March 2005 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

 

 

 

 

No deputations had been received.

 

 

 

 

No public questions had been received.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consideration was given to a report of the Regulatory Services Manager (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘A’).  The report assessed the proposals in an application submitted to Fareham Borough Council relating to the redevelopment of the former Foundry Site and considered the issue of transport impact on the Gosport peninsula.

 

 

Members expressed the view that the applicant and their consultants had not given sufficient consideration to the traffic flow problems on the Quay Street Roundabout.  A previous review undertaken by W S Atkins had not identified the installation of traffic lights on the roundabout as a means of improving traffic flow.  The proposed installation of one more traffic lane would not compensate for the reduction in traffic flow resulting from the installation of new sets of traffic lights on the roundabout.  Members also considered that articulated lorries turning into Quay Street would hold up traffic, as would the installation of a new Pelican crossing in Eastern Way. 

 

 

Officers confirmed that only buses would have the right to travel in a southbound direction on Quay Street with the remainder of traffic travelling in a northbound direction only.

 

 

Members also considered that the proposed development of the nearby Town Quay in Fareham and the impact this would have on traffic flow needed to be considered in conjunction with plans for the Former Foundry Site.  Any development in this area of Fareham would also impact on plans for the LRT should this scheme be resurrected in the future.

 

Members proposed minor changes to the wording of paragraph (a) of the Recommendations given in the report of the Regulatory Services Manager and these were unanimously accepted.

 

 

RESOLVED: That Fareham Borough Council be:

 

 

advised that the Borough Council raises objection to the proposals on the grounds that insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the development will neither interfere with the effectiveness, nor reduce the safety, function and standard of service, of the Strategic Road Network at the Quay Street junction;

 

(b)

requested to seek from the developer, the submission of such additional transport impact information, including that identified in the Regulatory Services Manager’s report, sufficient to enable the Highway Authority to undertake an appropriate transport impact assessment, and

 

(c)

requested to re-consult the Borough Council when the information referred to in (b) above is submitted.

 

 

 

 

The Regulatory Services Manager submitted a report on applications received for planning consent setting out the recommendation in each case (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘B’).

 

 

RESOLVED:  That the decisions be taken on each application for planning consent as detailed below:

 

 

 

 

 

This application was withdrawn prior to the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Officer updated Members on a letter received from the Consultant to the Applicants, which indicated that, in his opinion, the development was reasonable and acceptable and would not detract from the character of the area and referred to a successful Appeal on a planning application in Stubbington.  However, the Officer reiterated that the character of Monckton Road was of houses built to the front of plots with long gardens behind and any permissions granted thus far had retained this character.  The proposal before the Board included houses to be built to the rear of the plot.  The Officer referred to the Appeal Decision on an application in Fort Road in which the decision not to allow building to the rear of the plot was upheld by the Inspector.  The Inspector had also dismissed an Appeal against a decision not to allow building to the rear of 31 Monckton Road.

 

 

The Officer also referred to the fact that the Consultant had indicated that cycle parking could be provided by means of a condition but as no provision had been made and the recommendation was for refusal, this matter was, in itself, ground for refusal. 

 

 

In answer to a Member’s question, the Officer confirmed that buildings indicated on the plan to the rear of 41 Monckton Road were a long established coach house and stables and not new development.

 

 

Members were of the opinion that, although what was reasonable and acceptable was subjective, the impact of this proposal on the character of Monckton Road and its environment was not acceptable.

 

 

RESOLVED:  That planning application K14302/3 – Land Adjacent to 47 Monckton Road  Gosport be refused for the following reasons:

 

 

1.  The proposed development by reason of its siting and means of access, is out of keeping with the established pattern of residential development in the locality and would therefore be detrimental to the character of the area and prejudicial to the residential amenities of existing and prospective residents, contrary to Policies BE1, H5 and T6 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and Policies R/DP1 and R/T11 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 2.  The use of the proposed access to the site serving plots 3 and 4, by virtue of its close proximity to plot 2, would be detrimental to the residential amenities of occupiers of this property contrary to Policies BE1, H5 and T6 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and Policies R/DP1 and R/T11 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 3.  No provision is made within the proposed development for secure long term and short term cycle parking facilities contrary to Policy R/T11 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Officer reported that following the receipt of 4 letters of objection, amendments had been made by the developers to the plans originally submitted that resolved the problems raised by objectors.  A further letter had been received which raised concerns similar to the 4 previously received but when the author’s attention was drawn to the amendments to the plans, this respondent confirmed he had no objection to the amended scheme.  

 

 

RESOLVED:  That planning application K16850 – 83-93 High Street  Lee-on-the-Solent be approved, subject to Section 106 agreement relating to the payment of a commuted sum towards the provision and/or improvement of outdoor playing space and subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Regulatory Services Manager, for the following reasons:

 

 

i

That having regard to the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and all other material considerations, the proposal is acceptable in this location in land use and design terms and will not be harmful to the amenities of existing and prospective occupiers.  As such the development complies with Policies BE1, S2, S5, T6, IMP3 and RL10 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and Policies R/DP1, R/DP3, R/S3, R/S7, R/T11, R/CF6 and R/OS7 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

This application was withdrawn prior to the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED:  That planning application K12321/3 – Unit1/2 Park Street Gosport be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Regulatory Services Manager for the following reasons:

 

 

i

That having regard to the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and all other material considerations, it is considered that the proposed use would preserve the character and setting of the Conservation Area and would not be harmful to the mix of uses within the existing industrial estate, the amenities of existing occupiers, or parking provision in the locality.  The proposal would also generate additional job and training opportunities within the locality. As such, the development complies with Policies BE1, T6, BE9, EMP1 and EMP5 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and Policies R/DP1, R/BH1, R/T11, R/EMP3 and R/EMP7 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

The Officer clarified the planning history on this property.

 

 

In answer to a Member’s question, the officer confirmed that No 1 Stoke Road was already in use as a hostel and no complaints of noise or other disturbance had been received.  It was also confirmed that accommodation was offered to homeless people in the Borough and was a much needed facility.  The accommodation proposed at No 2 would be allocated in a similar way.

 

 

RESOLVED:  That planning application K6631/3 – 2 Stoke Gardens Gosport be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Regulatory Services Manager for the following reasons:

 

 

i

That having regard to the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and all other material considerations, the use of the property as a hostel with 6 letting rooms will assist in providing a variety of residential accommodation to meet the housing needs of the Borough.  The implementation of an appropriate management plan will mitigate any adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area, the amenities of adjacent residents and traffic conditions in the locality.  As such the development complies with Policies BE1, T6 and H9 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and R/DP1, R/T11 and  R/H7 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i

That having regard to the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and all other material considerations, the development as proposed will improve the appearance of the building and the visual amenities of the locality. As such, the proposal complies with Policies BE1 and BE3 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and R/DP1 and R/DP7 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED: That planning application K14405/1 – Winchfield House South Street Gosport be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Regulatory Services Manager for the following reasons:

 

 

I

That having regard to the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and all other material considerations, the development as proposed will improve the appearance of the building and the visual amenities of the locality. As such, the proposal complies with Policies BE1 and BE3 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and R/DP1 and R/DP7 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED: That planning application K14409/2 – Burney House South Street Gosport be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Regulatory Services Manager for the following reasons:

 

 

I

That having regard to the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and all other material considerations, the development as proposed will improve the appearance of the building and the visual amenities of the locality. As such, the proposal complies with Policies BE1 and BE3 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and R/DP1 and R/DP7 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED: That planning application K14410/1 – Portland House South Street Gosport be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Regulatory Services Manager for the following reasons:

 

 

i

That having regard to the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and all other material considerations, the development as proposed will improve the appearance of the building and the visual amenities of the locality. As such, the proposal complies with Policies BE1 and BE3 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and R/DP1 and R/DP7 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED: That planning application K14408/1 – York House South Street Gosport be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Regulatory Services Manager for the following reasons:

 

 

i

That having regard to the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and all other material considerations, the development as proposed will improve the appearance of the building and the visual amenities, of the locality. As such, the proposal complies with Policies BE1 and BE3 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and R/DP1 and R/DP7 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED: That planning application K14407/1 – Rodney House South Street Gosport be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Regulatory Services Manager for the following reasons:

 

 

i

That having regard to the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and all other material considerations, the development as proposed will improve the appearance of the building and the visual amenities of the locality. As such, the proposal complies with Policies BE1 and BE3 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and R/DP1 and R/DP7 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The officer advised the Board that the issue in this case was the appearance of the railings in this location. In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that no comments on this proposal had been received from the Gosport Society. 

 

 

RESOLVED: That planning application K11252/3 – Ann’s Hill Cemetery Ann’s Hill Gosport be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Regulatory Services Manager for the following reasons:

 

 

i

That having regard to the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and all other material considerations, the development as proposed is acceptable in terms of siting, design and its effect on visual amenity in this location and as such complies with Policy BE1 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and Policy R/DP1 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

Members expressed concern that the railings and gates are to remain grey and queried why they were not to be painted black.  Officers advised that the application had been considered on its merits and there was no objection to the colour as proposed, although if permission was granted, further discussion could take place with the applicant on the colour of the railings.  In response to Members, it was confirmed that the grey colour would match those railings located along the western boundary of the Park.

 

 

RESOLVED: That planning application K16873 – Stanley Park Western Way Gosport be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report of the Regulatory Services Manager for the following reasons:

 

 

I

That having regard to the provisions of Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and all other material considerations, the development as proposed is acceptable in terms of siting, design and its effect on visual amenity in this location and as such complies with Policy BE1 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan and Policy R/DP1 of the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Board was informed that following the refusal of planning permission (K.16401/1) in November 2003 on the 'Belle Vue' site, an appeal of the decision was made by the applicant, McCarthy & Stone Ltd., to the Secretary of State.

 

 

 

A subsequent application (K.16401/2) for an amended scheme, intended to reduce the reasons for refusal, was also refused planning permission by the Regulatory Board in December 2004.  The appeal was heard at a Public Inquiry held in January 2005 with the Inspector allowing consideration of the amended proposal in the subsequent application (K16401/2).

 

 

 

In reaching his decision to dismiss the appeal, the Inspector agreed with the Council's case that the existing character of the Marine Parade seafront would be unacceptably affected by the proposed 2/3/4 storey building and that the density of the proposal was too high given the effect on the local environment.  There was no application for costs from either side.  Since announcement of the decision, no subsequent communication had taken place between the Planning Office and McCarthy & Stone Ltd. 

 

 

 

The Board thanked the officers for all the work they had put in for this appeal and congratulated them on the result.

 

 

 

 

 

The Head of Development Control informed the Board that a Grant totalling just over £172,000 had been allocated and that a further sum of approximately £52,000 would be allocated because the Local Development Framework had been approved by GOSE within the target period.

 

 

 

Councillor Gill thanked Councillor Taylor for his Chairmanship of the Board for the past year and Councillor Taylor thanked all the Members of the Board and the Officers for their hard work and assistance during the year.