Development Management Committee - Wednesday, 14th September, 2022 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

As a mark of respect for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the meeting started with a minute’s silence.

There were no declarations of interest for this meeting.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 17th August, 2022 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th August, 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:

To consider the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2234 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. EPSH2234, 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. EPSH2234 (as amended at the meeting) regarding the land between Nos. 242 and 244 Farnborough Road, Farnborough.

RESOLVED: That

Subject to the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 Planning Agreement by 25th October 2022 or such other date as agreed by an extension of time to secure:

(i)            The required SPA SAMM and Public Open Space financial contributions; and

(ii)          Receipt of a document produced by a suitably qualified ecologist demonstrating no net loss of biodiversity and the Council’s Ecology and Biodiversity Officer confirming they have no objections to the proposal as set out in the report,

the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing in consultation with the Chairman be authorised to Grant planning permission subject to the following conditions and informatives as set out in Report No. EPSH2234 (as amended at the meeting).

In the event that no satisfactory Section 106 Agreement and/or biodiversity submissions are received by 25 October 2022 and no extension of time has been agreed, 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 provide 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 adopted Rushmoor Local Plan Policy NE1; does not make appropriate provision for Public Open Space in accordance with the requirements of adopted Rushmoor Local Plan Policy DE6 and/or results in a net loss of biodiversity in accordance with the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (amended July 2021) and Local Plan Policy NE4.

To consider the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2235 (copy attached) which reports on cases of planning enforcement and possible unauthorised development.

An update on enforcement matters had been provided:

The Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing gave a verbal 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. 

The Committee noted that whilst drilling within the Queen Elizabeth Park, Farnborough, the drill had encountered previously unidentified utilities that had resulted in the drill bit being broken. The land now needed to be back filled and an investigation undertaken to determine how the works would continue going forward. It was estimated that delays in the region of 6-9 months could be incurred. It was proposed that the car park would be re-opened during the investigation period.

It was also noted that ESSO works at Southwood Country Park would be completed by the end of October, 2022 and it was also expected that the related works in Cove Road, Farnborough would finish on schedule.

In response to a query regarding the £5k contribution from Esso for the resurfacing of the small car park at Queen Elizabeth Park,  it was noted that the funds had been received and the work was hoped to be carried out in January 2023.

RESOLVED: that the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing would provide a formal update at the next meeting of the Committee.