A MEETING OF THE REGULATORY BOARD
WAS HELD ON 18 JUNE 2002
Chairman of the Policy and Organisation Board (Councillor Cully) (ex-officio); Councillors Mrs Angus (P), Carr, Edwards (P), Farr (P), Gill (P), Hayward (P), Searle (P), Smith (P), Taylor (P) and Train (P)
[The Chairman informed the meeting of the recent death of the Mayor, Councillor Geoffrey Bartlett. The meeting stood in silent tribute to the Mayor.]
[It was reported that, in accordance with Standing Orders, Councillor Taylor had been nominated to replace Councillor Langdon for the meeting.]
14. APOLOGIES
Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were submitted on behalf of Councillors Carr and Cully.
15. MINUTES
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory Board held on 21 May 2002 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
PART II
16. DEPUTATION
It was reported that, in accordance with Standing Order 3.5 deputations had been received in respect of planning application K.15900 relating to the mixed use development at Schat-Harding, Mumby Road, Gosport.
17. APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING CONSENT
[Councillor Searle declared an interest in planning application K.11608/2 relating to 75A Stoke Road, Gosport, and left the meeting prior to its consideration.]
The Director of Development and Environment submitted a report on applications received for planning consent setting out recommendations in each case.
RESOLVED: That decisions be taken on each application for planning consent, as set out in Appendix "A" hereto.
18. K.15900 - MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT - ERECTION OF TWO STOREY WORKSHOP/OFFICE, DOCTOR'S SURGERY, 3 BLOCKS OF 84no. FLATS, RETAIL UNIT, ASSOCIATED ACCESS ROADS AND CAR PARKING - SCHAT-HARDING, MUMBY ROAD, GOSPORT
[Councillor Edwards declared an interest in this item and left the meeting prior to its consideration.]
It was reported that Umoe Schat-Harding had occupied the harbour frontage site for some 30 years. The current proposal was due to changes in the operation of the company which had resulted in a lesser site requirement. In January 2002 planning permission was granted (K.15901) for a replacement two storey workshop/office building with access road and car parking on part of the current application site. The current planning application proposed a mixed use development of the whole site.
The Director of Development and Environment reported that the principal elements of the scheme were:
· The inclusion of the previously approved two storey workshop/office to enable the relocation of USH into a new United Kingdom HQ building.
· A new Doctor's Surgery to replace the cramped surgery at Bury Road Health Centre with an adjoining small retail unit.
· A 'crescent' style range of 84 flats in a 4 storey block, and a 2 to 5 storey stepped block rising to a cornerstone 10 storey block. The development would incorporate 'garden style' roof top apartments. The breakdown of accommodation was 4 one bed, 75 two bed and 5 three bed flats.
· All three elements would include separate on-site parking facilities comprising 184 spaces in total.
· Public access along the Harbour frontage walkway - which could be extended as and when adjacent sites were redeveloped.
· Following archaeological excavations, the central landscaped area for the flats would incorporate an exposed section of the 17th Century de Gomme fortifications that would be visible from the public walkway.
The planning application was supported by a Traffic Impact Assessment.
With regard to the policy background, the principle of mixed use development on the site was consistent with national urban regeneration policies, as was the encouragement for the redevelopment of brownfield sites. The proposals were consistent with the Hampshire County Structure Plan policies, Gosport Borough Local Plan, the Coldharbour Development Framework and Gosport's Sustainable Regeneration Strategy.
Consultation had taken place with a number of agencies and no objection in principle had been raised by the County Surveyor, Southern Water, the Environment Agency or English Nature. Public advertisement of the proposal had resulted in three letters of objection and three of support. The issues raised against the proposal were -
· Consideration should be given to the construction of a mini roundabout at the King Street junction with Mumby Road.
· Concern at the number of residential units and impact on highway infrastructure.
· Lower flat blocks should be reduced to two and three storey.
· Ten storey block out of character with the area.
· Residential development was contrary to policy in an industrial area.
· Bulk/design incompatible with the area.
The issues raised in support of the proposal were -
· St Matthews Court No 1 Residents Company Ltd fully supported the proposal which would be an improvement to the locality.
· The new Doctor's Surgery and commercial facilities were to be welcomed.
The Housing Services Manager had been in discussion with the applicant over the provision of social housing and confirmed his in-principle acceptance of an appropriate commuted payment from the developer in lieu of the provision of on site housing. The social housing contribution equated to 20 dwellings which represented 24% of the total residential development. A Section 106 Agreement would be required to secure the contribution.
In accordance with Standing Order 3.5, Mr D Bradley, Managing Director of Umoe Schat-Harding, was permitted to address the Board (via a pre-recorded video) in support of his application. Mr Bradley made the following comments -
· The company had been involved in schemes for six years to replace the drab waterfront factory units.
· The work and global nature of the company was explained.
· The company had planned to move into the M27 corridor, but the plans submitted by CMS had been far more appealing. The plans for a doctors surgery and residential property were within keeping and complimented the company's corporate strategy.
· Gosport fitted in with the visual image and strategy of the company.
· If approved, the proposal would bring a fresh lease of life to the gateway of Gosport.
In accordance with Standing Order 3.5, Dr M Davis, a partner in the Surgery to be relocated, was permitted to address the Board in support of the application. Dr Davis made the following comments -
· Dr Davis highlighted the electorates' problems in finding surgeries that were able to accommodate them.
· Dr Davis was of the opinion that new doctors would be attracted by this scheme and therefore the shortage would be addressed.
· In the present surgery, there was a severe shortage of space, and the new plans would eleviate the problem and help address the inevitable increase in expectations and numbers.
· The location of the new surgery would make access easier for the public.
Members questioned the issue of car parking and were informed that while there were 30 members of staff (approximately the same as the number of parking spaces) only about a fifth of staff would be attending at anyone time, and that a bike shed would also be provided to encourage cycling to work. In addition, the close proximity to the town centre and public transport would assist.
Having considered this matter at length, it was -
RESOLVED: That planning application K.15900 relating to the erection of two storey workshop/office, doctor's surgery, 3 blocks of 84 no. flats, retail unit, associated access roads and car parking be approved subject to -
(i) the satisfactory completion of a Section 106 Agreement relating to the payment of commuted sums towards the provision of affordable housing and the provision and/or improvement of outdoor playing space, public access to the shoreline and the funding of Traffic Regulation Orders; and
(ii) the conditions set out in the report of the Director of Development and Environment.
19. APPLICATION FOR A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE - THE ALVERBANK COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL, STOKES BAY ROAD, GOSPORT
Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Development and Environment in connection with an application for a public entertainment licence for the Alverbank Country House Hotel, Stokes Bay Road, Gosport.
Members were advised that although the application form cited "most Fridays and Saturdays" as the period required for the licence, after consultation with the officer, the licensing hours should of Monday to Saturday 12:00 until 24:00 and Sunday 12:00 until 22:30 were being applied for in order to provide maximum flexibility for the use of the premises.
The application was specifically for the Marquee Suite which was a purpose built function room. The applicant had carried out the standard public advertisements to advise of the application and had received no objections from members of the public, the Hampshire Constabulary or the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Members questioned the omission of 'dancing' from the application form as part of the nature of the entertainment to be provided and the applicant confirmed that this should have been included.
Having considered the matter, it was -
RESOLVED: That -
(i) consent to a public entertainment licence for the premises for a period of 6 months be approved;
(ii) the licence be subject to the standard conditions that applied to all premises licensed for public entertainment; and
(iii) the licence permit public entertainment Monday to Saturdays 12:00 - 24:00 hours and Sundays 12:00 - 22:30 hours.
20. EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 4 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act.
21. APPLICATION FOR A DOOR SECURITY REGISTRATION
Consideration was given to an exempt report of the Director of Development and Environment (a copy of which is inserted in the Minute Book as Appendix "B") in connection with an application for a Door Security Registration.
RESOLVED: That the application for a Door Security Registration be not approved.
22. APPLICATION FOR A DOOR SECURITY REGISTRATION
Consideration was given to an exempt report of the Director of Development and Environment (a copy of which is inserted in the Minute Book as Appendix "C") in connection with an application for a Door Security Registration.
RESOLVED: That the application for a Door Security Registration be not approved.
23. APPLICATION FOR A PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE DRIVERS LICENCE
Consideration was given to an exempt report of the Director of Development and Environment (a copy of which is inserted in the Minute Book as Appendix "D") in connection with an application for a Private Hire Vehicle Drivers Licence.
RESOLVED: That the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Drivers Licence be approved.
CHAIRMAN
