Development Management Committee - Wednesday, 17th August, 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.

There were no declarations of interest for this meeting.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 20th July 2022 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 20th July, 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record of the proceedings.

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:

In the absence of a North Town elected Ward Councillor on the Committee, the Committee agreed that a representation be made by Cllr Keith Dibble in support of Planning Application No. 22/00282/FULPP. The representation was duly considered before a decision was reached.

To consider the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2227 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.

RESOLVED: That

(i)           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. EPSH2227, be noted

(ii)          the following applications be determined by the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing, in consultation with the Chairman:

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

The Committee considered the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2227 (as amended at the meeting) regarding the demolition of the existing bus station and re-development of the site.

RESOLVED: That

Subject to the completion of a satisfactory Planning Obligation or Deed of Variation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by 31st August 2022 or such other date as agreed by an extension of time to secure:

(i)            The stated financial contribution towards the maintenance of SPA avoidance and mitigation;

(ii)          The stated Public Open Space Contribution; and

(iii)         Financial viability re-assessment clauses in the event that the implementation and completion of the scheme is protracted and market conditions improve the value of the scheme;

the Head of Planning in consultation with the Chairman be authorised to Grant planning permission subject to the following conditions and informatives as set out in Report No. EPSH2227 (as amended at the meeting).

However, in the event that a satisfactory S106 Agreement is not received by 31^st August 2022 or at a mutually agreed alternative date, the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing, in consultation with the Chairman, be authorised to refuse planning permission on the grounds that the proposal does not make satisfactory provision for public open space in accordance with Local Plan Policy DE6; make a financial contribution to mitigate the effect of the development on the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area in accordance with The Rushmoor Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area Interim Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy and Local Plan Policy NE1.  

Also, in addition to the amended and additional conditions as set out in the Amendment Sheet (attached), further consideration be given to the removal of the trees with TPO’s, taking account of how the trees are disposed of after removal. A request was also made to add in the standard informative regarding Employment and Skills.

The Committee considered the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2227 (as amended at the meeting) regarding the development of 30 affordable homes, to include a community space, parking access and landscaping.

RESOLVED: That

Subject to the completion of a satisfactory Planning Obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 by 31st October, 2022 or such other date as agreed by an extension of time to secure:

(i)            A financial contribution (£35,164.50 + £3,882.58) towards the provision of maintenance and monitoring of SANG in respect of the net gain of 6 additional residential units in accordance with the Council’s avoidance and mitigation strategy;

(ii)          A Public Open Space Contribution (£11,642.40);

(iii)         The provision of a temporary community facility sufficient to enable an appropriate range and level of community activity (prior to the demolition of the existing building, to be in place until the opening of the new community facility within the development); and;

(iv)         Securing, via a contractual arrangement to be first agreed, funding for a full-time community support worker or equivalent resource for a period of not less than five years from the date of first occupation of the development;

The Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing in consultation with the Chairman be authorised to Grant planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives as set out in Report No. EPSH2227 (as amended at the meeting).  

However, in the event that a satisfactory S106 Agreement is not completed by 31st October, 2022 or at a mutually agreed alternative date, the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing, in consultation with the Chairman, be authorised to refuse planning permission on the grounds that the proposal does not make a financial contribution to mitigate the effect of the development on the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area in accordance with The Rushmoor Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area Interim Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy and Local Plan Policy NE1.

To consider the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2233 (copy attached) on the progress of recent planning appeals.

The Committee received the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2233 concerning the following appeals decisions:

RESOLVED: That the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2233 be noted.

To consider the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2228 (copy attached) which reports on cases of planning enforcement and possible unauthorised development.

An update on enforcement matters had been provided:

RESOLVED: That the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2228 be noted.

To receive the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2229 (copy attached) which updates on the Performance Indicators for the Development Management Section of Planning, and the overall workload for the Section for the period 1st April to 30th June 2022.

The Committee received the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2229 which provided an update on the position with respect to achieving performance indicators for the Development Management Section of the Planning Service and the overall workload of the Section for the quarter from 1st April to 30th June 2022.

RESOLVED: That the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2229 be noted.