Issue - meetings

The Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing gave a verbal update on the position with regard to application 19/00432/PINS following the issue on 7th October, 2020 of the Development Consent Order (DCO) to ESSO for the Major Infrastructure Project to renew and partially realign the Southampton to London fuel pipeline which crossed Rushmoor Borough.

The Committee noted that ESSO had provided revised Site Specific Plans (SSP) for both Queen Elizabeth Park (QEP) and Southwood Country Park.  In respect of the SSP for QEP, the revised plan was an improvement on the previous version but did not fully address the significant local concerns regarding the impact of the development in relation to the loss of trees in the park, albeit that the removal of any mature or veteran trees was now prohibited within the SSP.  The Committee was also advised that ESSO required the Council’s approval on noise mitigations and on the Construction Management Plan.

In response to queries that had been raised, the Head of Planning, Economy and Strategic Housing advised that there was no right of appeal against a decision by the Secretary of State to grant a DCO; a decision could only be judicially reviewed if there was a clear error of law or procedure.

The Head of Planning, Economy and Strategic Housing responded to queries from Members, which included a second pipeline replacement and timescales.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.