30 11 2004

The Mayor (Councillor Edwards)(ex-officio), Chairman of the Policy and Organisation Board (Councillor Hook)(ex-officio), Councillors Burgess, Farr (P), Gill (P), Langdon (P), Philpott and Searle. 

It was reported that, in accordance with Standing Orders, notice had been received that Councillors Taylor and Wright would replace Councillors Burgess and Searle for this meeting.

Richard Wilson and Gary Carroll from Hampshire County Council, Estates Practice, were in attendance for item 12 – Gosport Railway Station - Development Brief.

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting had been received from Councillors Burgess, Edwards, Hook, Philpott and Searle.

Councillor Wright declared a non-prejudicial interest in respect of item 12 in view of the fact that he was a Hampshire County Councillor.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Transportation and Planning Sub-Board meeting held on 12 October 2004 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

The Sub-Board received a copy of the Regulatory Services Manager’s report (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘A’).  The purpose of the report was to seek the Borough Council’s support for Hampshire County Council’s draft Development Brief for Gosport Railway Station (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Annex ‘A’).

Members were informed that the site and its buildings had remained derelict for some considerable time.  It contained important listed buildings that should be retained and adapted for use.  The mixed use proposals included a residential development of 14 dwellings which were considered to be acceptable and it was anticipated that they would generate sufficient developer interest to realise this objective.

The County Council, the present owner, intended to carry out further consultation which would include local amenity groups.  This process would further refine the Development Brief and inform the design tender process.

Members were informed that it was appropriate for the Development Brief to be presented to the Sub Board and that any planning application would be presented to Regulatory Board following the design tender process.

It was acknowledged that a great deal of work had been achieved to develop an acceptable solution for these important Grade II* listed buildings.  Following recent newspaper publicity, developers had already expressed interest to Hampshire County Council who were confident they could market the site successfully in the New Year.

Members were assured that any development proposals at variance with the Development Brief would be discussed with Members of the Sub Board and Hampshire County Council.

RESOLVED:  That Hampshire County Council be advised that the Borough Council support the draft Development Brief for consultation purposes.

Report withdrawn.

RESOLVED:  That this item be deferred until a Special Transportation and Planning Sub Board meeting to be arranged for a date in mid January 2005.

The Sub-Board received a copy of the Director of Development and Environment’s report (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘C’). 

The report presented to Members the Proposed Pre Inquiry Changes to the Borough Local Plan Review and to obtain their agreement to the publication of the proposed changes to allow them to be considered by the Inspector when the Public Local Inquiry is held in Spring 2005.  A schedule of the proposed changes was appended to the Report and Members may also wish to refer to the Summary of Representations document held in the Forward Planning Section.  Members of the Sub Board had been briefed on 15 November 2004 as to details of proposed revisions.  A fee of £5 was proposed for the Pre Inquiry Changes document.

RESOLVED:  That the Sub Board approve the Proposed Pre Inquiry Changes for publication.

The Sub-Board received a copy of the Director of Development and Environment’s report (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘D’).  The report presented to Members for approval the draft Local Development Scheme for submission to the Government Office under the provisions of the new Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (the draft Local Development Scheme was appended to the report).

It was proposed that the document be submitted to the Government Office in January/February 2005.  Attention was drawn to the Gantt charts at Appendix 4 of the report and the ‘milestones’ with emphasis that fulfilment of these would enable the receipt of substantial funds for the successful progression of the Local Development Framework.

It was suggested that further changes may be presented to a Special Sub Board meeting in mid January 2005 following very recent changes in guidance from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).  The Local Development Scheme would be updated next year.  Officers confirmed the links between the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH), the Sub Regional Strategy and the Local Development Scheme.

It was agreed that details of a Pre Inquiry Meeting to be held on 6 January 2005 be provided to Members.

RESOLVED:  That the Sub Board approve the Local Development Scheme and agrees its submission to the Government Office for the South East.

The Sub-Board received a copy of the Director of Development and Environment’s report (a copy of which is attached in the Minute Book as Appendix ‘E’) and the purpose was to seek Members’ approval for comments to be forwarded to the Government relating to the consultation draft of Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (PPS9) and the accompanying draft Government Circular: Biological and Geological Conservation – Statutory Obligations and their Impact on the Planning System.

Members were informed that under the new planning system Planning Policy Guidance (PPG’s) was being replaced nationally by Planning Policy Statements (PPS’s) with PPS9 being the most recent document.  It was explained that PPS9 had been reduced in size but included a companion document with a renewed emphasis and importance being placed on biodiversity.

It was reported that the key concern of officers related to internationally important nature conservation sites not being identified in Local Development Documents and it was agreed that this concern be passed to the ODPM in responding to the consultation.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that no changes to the Gosport Borough Local Plan Review were needed and explanation was given as to the types of sites affected by PPS9.

RESOLVED:  That the Government be advised of Gosport Borough Council’s comments regarding draft Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation.  The principal comments were:

§         The greater focus on the need to conserve, enhance and restore biological diversity was welcomed;

§         It was considered necessary for local planning authorities to adopt their own policy on internationally important nature conservation sites; and

§         the content and format of the accompanying draft Circular on statutory obligations was welcomed.