Development Management Committee - Wednesday, 13th April, 2022 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

All Members who have or believe that they have any interest under the Rushmoor Borough Council Councillors’ Code of Conduct, adopted in April 2021, in any matter to be considered at the meeting are required to disclose that interest at the start of the meeting (preferably) or as soon as possible thereafter and to take the necessary steps in light of their interest as to any participation in the agenda item.

Having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct, the following declarations of interest were made.  Members with a non-registerable interest left the meeting during the debates and voting on the relevant agenda items:

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 16th February, 2022 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 16th February, 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record of the proceedings subject to the following amendment:

·         Add the following wording to para 60 (i) “… subject to completion of a planning obligation by 26th March, 2022.”

In accordance with the guidelines for public participation at meetings, the following representations were made to the Committee and were duly considered before a decision was reached:

To consider the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2212 on planning applications recently submitted to the Council (copy attached).

Sections A & B of the report set out the items to be considered at future meetings and petitions received:

Section C of the report sets out planning applications for determination at this meeting:

Section D of the report sets out planning applications which have been determined under the Council’s scheme of delegation for information.

(iii)         the applications dealt with by the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing, where necessary in consultation with the Chairman, in accordance with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, more particularly specified in Section “D” of the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2212, be noted

(iii)         the current position with regard to the following applications be noted pending consideration at a future meeting:

To consider the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2213 (copy attached) on the progress of recent planning appeals.

The Committee received the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2213 concerning the following appeal decisions:

RESOLVED: That the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2213 be noted.

To receive a verbal update on the position regarding the approval of requirements pursuant to the Development Consent Order (Report No. EPSH2214 attached).

The Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing gave an update to the Committee on the position regarding the agreement of all outstanding legal agreements including the Environmental Improvement Plan pursuant to the Development Consent Order for the renewal and partial realignment of the Southampton to London Esso fuel pipeline which crossed the Borough of Rushmoor. 

It was noted that vegetation removal had been undertaken at both Southwood Country Park and Queen Elizabeth Park, Farnborough. As part of the work, as previously agreed with ESSO, a number of trees had been removed with the exception of three, which, on reflection, it was deemed unnecessary to remove. However, following the removal of the vegetation, the Council had requested that an additional 16 trees be removed for safety reasons.

The Committee noted that the play area had been constructed however, there had been a delay in obtaining insurance which had caused a delay in opening the facility. It was also advised that there had been an issue with the funding to resurface the car park, but is was hoped to be resolved shortly.

The Committee were made aware of the proposed road closures at Ringwood Close, Farnborough as a result of the work. It was advised that pedestrian, disabled and emergency vehicle access would be retained during the closure. It was noted that the Council had no jurisdiction to make any changes to the proposed closure as it was a matter for Hampshire County Council as the highways authority.

RESOLVED: that the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing Report No. EPSH2214 be noted.

A vote of thanks was recorded for Cllr John Marsh. It was noted that Cllr Marsh had spent the last 42 years as an elected Member of the Council. For 28 of those years he had been a member of the Planning Committee,13 of which were in the role of Vice-Chairman or Chairman. Cllr Marsh, would be spending the 2022/23 Municipal Year as Mayor of Rushmoor.

Cllr Marsh took the opportunity to thank Members of the Committee, past and present, and Officers for their support and contributions over the years.