Development Management Committee - Wednesday, 21st July, 2021 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

All Members who believe they have a prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting may not participate in any discussion or vote taken on the matter and if the interest is not registered it must be disclosed to the meeting. In addition, Members are required to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed.

Having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct, the following declarations of interest were made.  All Members who had or believed that they had any interest under Rushmoor Borough Council’s Councillor Code of Conduct, adopted in April 2021, in any matter to be considered at the meeting disclosed that interest at the start of the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter and took the necessary steps in light of their interest as to any participation in the agenda item:

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 confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 26th May 2021 (copy attached).

Subject to the amendments as follows, the minutes were agreed and signed by the Chairman:

Declarations of interest – to be amended to read:

“Having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct, the following declarations of interest were made.  All Members who had or believed that they had any interest under Rushmoor Borough Council’s Councillor Code of Conduct, adopted in April 2021, in any matter to be considered at the meeting disclosed that interest at the start of the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter and took the necessary steps in light of their interest as to any participation in the agenda item.”

Next to the names of Cllr Bedford and Cllr Masterson, it was agreed that, rather than saying “non-registerable”, the minutes should be amended to read “for noting”.   In addition, next to Cllr Stewart in relation to the two Conference Centre items and the Aldershot Heritage Trail item, the minutes should be amended to state “for noting”.

RESOLVED:  That the appointment of Cllr J.H. Marsh to the vacant place on the Standing Consultation Group for the remainder of the 2021/22 Municipal Year be agreed.

To consider the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2119 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.

The Committee received representations from Mr. Gerald Inglis (against) and Ms. Jo Kemp (in support) before considering the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2119 in respect of Planning Application No. 21/00333/FULPP (Parsons Barracks Car Park, Ordnance Road, Aldershot).  The Report was updated and amended at the meeting.

The application was for the erection of a three-storey, 66 bed residential care home for elderly people needing dementia support with associated car parking, access and landscaping.

During deliberations, the Committee raised questions regarding the overall car parking capacity in the town centre taking into account the loss of the Parsons Barracks Car Park.  In response, the Committee was advised that work had been done using the Aldershot Parking Study and this showed there would be sufficient parking spaces available in the town centre, even allowing for the loss of the Co-op and High Street Car Parks.  Members were also advised of the average daily usage figures for 2019 of the Parsons Barracks Car Park.  Members were reminded that the planning application included five public spaces which would be provided on site and would be protected for public use by a planning condition (as amended at the meeting).  It was also explained that the current thirteen spaces that were on the access road to Aldershot Town Football Club adjacent to the Parsons Barracks Car Park were not part of the planning application site and would therefore remain available for public use.  These were currently thirteen generous parking spaces that could be changed to provide parking for fifteen vehicles.     

RESOLVED:  That planning permission be approved, subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2119 and as amended at the meeting.

The Committee received representations from Mr. Mark Ford (against) and Ms Kay Collins (in support) before considering the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2119 in respect of Application No. 21/00231/FULPP (Nos. 209-211 Lynchford Road, Farnborough), which was updated and amended at the meeting.

The application was for the erection of an apartment building and ten terraced houses, comprising a total of seventeen dwellings (three 1-bedroom, four 2-bedroom and ten 3-bedroom) with associated landscaping and parking, with vehicular access from Morris Road, following the demolition of all buildings on the site.

RESOLVED: That, subject to:

(i)        the completion of a satisfactory Section 106 Planning Agreement between the applicants and Rushmoor Borough Council by 30th September 2021 to secure the required Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area, Strategic Access Management and Monitoring and Public Open Space financial contributions and to ensure the development is subject to a late-stage economic viability review and to prevent ground rents being made in view of affordability;

(ii)       receipt of amended surface water drainage plans and details and Hampshire County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority confirming that they have no objections to the proposals as amended in this respect;

(iii)      any additional condition necessary as a result of representations from Hampshire County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority arising from assessment of the submitted amended surface water drainage plans;

(iv)      receipt of habitat survey information and the Council’s Ecology and Biodiversity Officer confirming that they have no objections to the proposals as amended in this respect; and

(v)       any additional condition necessary as a result of assessment by the Council’s Ecology and Biodiversity Officer of habitat survey information

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 set out in Report No. EPSH2119 (as amended at the meeting).

To receive the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2120 (copy attached) on the progress of recent planning appeals.

RESOLVED: That the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2120 be noted.

To consider the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2121 (copy attached) which reports on cases of planning enforcement and possible unauthorised development.

RESOLVED: That the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s Report No. EPSH2121 be noted.

To receive an update from the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing on the current position with regard to the Development Consent Order issued in respect of the Major Infrastructure Project to renew and partially realign the Southampton to London fuel pipeline which crosses Rushmoor Borough (Ref: 19/00432/PINS).

The Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing updated the Committee on the current position with regard to the Development Consent Order issued in respect of the major infrastructure project to renew and partially re-align the Southampton to London fuel pipeline which crosses the Borough of Rushmoor (RBC Ref: 19/00432/PINS.

It was noted that the Council had opposed the process being taken by Esso regarding the issue of trenching in Queen Elizabeth Park in Farnborough.  It was therefore necessary for the Council to make some decisions within the terms of the Development Consent Order and how far the Council was able to exercise its judgement.  The Council has appointed appointed a Barrister, through whom a significant number of clarifications had been sought.  It was expected to have an answer from Esso within the next few days. The main issue of concern for the Council was how trenching might impact on surrounding trees.

The Committee was advised that the Leader of the Council and the Member of Parliament for Aldershot had written to Esso to request that the company takes account of concerns regarding plans for Queen Elizabeth Park in Farnborough. 

Members would be kept updated on issues and officers were in regular consultation with the Chairman of the Committee and the Cabinet Portfolio Holder.

RESOLVED: That the Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing’s update be noted.