Patience Sambrook, Chair of Eastleigh Southern Parishes Older People’s Forum, addressed the Committee on behalf of those residents unable to attend the meeting to speak to the Committee.  These included housebound residents and carers, who depended on taxis to travel to hospitals and doctors surgeries.  Previously, residents over 70 had received travel tokens to the value of £32 and those over 80 received tokens to the value of £52, which could be spent on taxis.  However, Cabinet had decided that the Council would cease the issue of travel tokens and provide a free bus pass instead.  Mrs Sambrook considered that this may be a viable alternative to able-bodied residents, but it was no good for those unable to use public transport.  Although Dial-a-ride provision was to be increased, this service could not be used to travel to hospitals.  She asked the Committee to request Cabinet to reconsider the issuing of travel tokens, or to consider issuing taxi vouchers for those unable to use buses.  The Chairman replied that, although the Council had ceased issuing travel tokens, a range of initiatives to help those unable to use public transport had been introduced.  In addition, the issue of supported travel was continually monitored, particularly by the Environment Scrutiny Panel, which received a full report on the situation on an annual basis.

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2008.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2008 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to it being recorded that, with regard to Resolution (1) of Item 9 (Dowds Farm District Park), the Chairman had subsequently agreed under delegated powers the allocation of developers’ contributions to enable works to proceed on linking the new Dowds Farm District Park to the existing Hackworth Gardens open space.

The Chairman reported on the following issues:

Planning Appeals: As a West End Councillor, the Chairman was very pleased that planning inspectors had upheld two of the Committee’s recent decisions.  The dismissal of appeals against the refusal of applications for the storage of 100 touring caravans at Manor Fruit Farm, Allington Lane and the creation of a childrens nursery in Moorgreen Road had gone a long way towards vindicating the Committee’s efforts to protect the strategic gap on the northern perimeter of West End village.

Burnetts Lane – Traffic Commissioner Inquiry: The Burnetts Lane Residents Association had again asked for the Committee’s support at a Public Inquiry by the Traffic Commissioner to review operators’ licences from the Chalcroft Distribution Park.  Together with a neighbouring Local Area Committee, £3,000 had been set aside to underwrite the cost of legal officers’ time so that the Borough Council could make representations to the Commissioner.

Community Safety: The Borough’s Joint Action Group had met during the previous week and the police had confirmed that they would continue high profile and robust policing around Botley recreation ground, Greta Park, Woodhouse Lane and Hatch Grange.  The extra patrols were intended to target under age drinking and youth nuisance.  The Chairman was pleased to learn that the police had arrested and charged a youth with criminal damage to bus shelters and notice boards in Botley.  Statements were being prepared by both Botley Parish and the Borough Council which would be given in evidence at a forthcoming court appearance. 

Community Grants: It was the time of year when the Committee considered community group grants applications.  The Grants Panel was to be convened on Monday 9 February to consider and prioritise 21 grant applications received from local voluntary organisations.  Recommendations from the Panel were to be brought to this Committee for approval.

At the same time, Jenny Critchlow had commenced work with the local Youth Council’s Grants Panel, which had been given delegated powers to allocate the Committee’s youth grants budget, set at £3,500 this year.

Highway Priorities: Finally, the Chairman thanked those Committee members who had participated in the joint meeting with Hampshire County Council Highways officers on Monday 5 January.   All the issues identified at the Committee’s workshop had now been plotted on the geographical information system and the priorities given to each issue had been passed on to the County Council, which would hopefully share the Committee’s views.  A comprehensive report on local highway issues and priorities had been requested and was to be brought to the next Committee meeting on Monday 2 March before being referred to the Hampshire Action Team Committee.

The Area Co-ordinator reported on the following issues:

Fairtrade in the Community: The Committee was sponsoring a Fairtrade event at Wildern School as its contribution to the forthcoming Fairtrade fortnight.  All members were invited to the D@rt Centre on the evening of Thursday 26 February where there would be taster sessions of Fairtrade food and drink, information stands, live entertainment and some presentations by local youth groups who had signed up as Fairtrade supporters.  Full details were to be circulated in the next couple of weeks.

Outdoor classroom completed: The Area Co-ordinator was pleased to confirm that a new outdoor classroom in the form of a large oak tree sculpture had been completed at Itchen Valley Country Park.  The classroom provided seating for up to 30 pupils just outside the Kingfisher Barn and had been constructed at a cost of £8,000, with sponsorship from Solvay Health Care Ltd and the Hampshire Children’s Fund.

School Travel Plans: The Council’s Engineers were making good progress on designing and improving two park and walk routes for Kings Copse School and Botley C of E School.  The Council planned to encourage parents to use existing car parking spaces well away from school entrances and to provide safe routes to and from these car parks to the respective schools.  Each of the park and walk routes was to be promoted at the schools and pupils would be given badges and prizes to encourage their parents to make use of these facilities, which would improve traffic safety immediately outside the schools.

West End Improvements: Work had started on implementing Parish Plan priorities.  Some 21 cycle stands, new seats, dropped kerbs and bins were currently being installed in and around West End village centre and Itchen Valley Country Park.

Community Safety: Botley Parish Council had now submitted specifications for its new CCTV system which would protect the Parish Centre and its car park.  The Committee was now able to authorise the release of a £3,400 grant contribution towards this project.

Approval had been given to undertake some defensive planting projects to discourage anti-social behaviour close to residential homes. Work was to be undertaken in Freegrounds Avenue, Ivy Lane and Hilldene Way.

Fairthorne Manor (the National YMCA Centre) had started a 12 week outdoor pursuit course for 12 young people who had been referred by the police and Youth Offending team. The course was to finish in the Easter holiday with an overnight camp and a new feature this year was the running of a parallel parenting skills course.

Members were invited to declare interests in relation to items of business on the agenda.  Any interests declared are recorded in the relevant minute below.

Development Control staff gave a short presentation on guidelines that had to be taken into account when determining planning applications; in particular the issues that could, and could not, be taken into account.  This was set against the broader policy framework.

Ref: F/08/64047 - Construction of 1no. 2 bed bungalow with associated car parking, cycle and bin storage, following demolition of 9no. garages

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda item 7) concerning an application for the construction of a 2 bed bungalow with associated car parking, cycle and bin storage, following demolition of 9no. garages (Ref: F/08/64047).

The Committee was advised that (a) amended plans had been received and (b) an objection had been received from Hedge End Town Council.

RESOLVED –

That permission be GRANTED, subject to:

(a)                The receipt of the required infrastructure contributions towards social and recreational facilities, public open space and transportation infrastructure in the local area;

(b)               The amending of condition 5 to read “Plans and particulars showing the proposals for all the following aspects of the development must be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before the development is commenced: (a) The alignment, height and materials of all walls, fences and other means of enclosure; (b) The layout of foul sewers and surface water drains.  The development must then accord with these approved details.  Reason: In order that these matters may be considered by the Local Planning Authority.”

(c)                The recommended conditions; and

(d)               The following additional conditions:

(i)                 Prior to the commencement of development details for the making up of the footway along the side of Taplin Drive turning head shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the Local Planning Authority.  The works shall be implemented to an adoptable standard prior to the occupation of the dwelling.  Reason: To ensure the footway is constructed to an adoptable standard that will enable adoption by the Highway Authority. 

(ii)               Walls or fences of at least 2 metres high of materials and design to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority must be constructed along the entire northern boundary prior to occupation of the dwelling.  The boundary treatment must subsequently be retained.  Reason: To enhance the appearance of the development and to provide privacy.

(NOTE: Two members of the public spoke in objection to the application and a representative for the applicant spoke in support.)

Ref: F/08/64104 – Subdivision of existing store to create 2no. retail units with new entrance canopy and elevational alterations to front and rear elevation

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda item 8) concerning an application for the subdivision of the existing store to create 2no. retail units with new entrance canopy and elevational alterations to front and rear elevation (Ref: F/08/64104).

RESOLVED -

That permission be GRANTED, subject to the recommended conditions.

(NOTE: Councillor Noyce declared an interest in the application and left the room during the discussion thereof.)

Ref: R/08/64135 – Reserved matters (layout and scale) pursuant to outline planning permission O/07/60590 for demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of the site to provide flexible business accommodation (B1/B2/B8) not exceeding 3732 sq. m of accommodation together with a new access to Manaton Way.  (Accommodation to be within 3 buildings with ancillary car parking)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda item 9) concerning an application for reserved matters (layout and scale) pursuant to outline planning permission O/07/60590 for demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of the site to provide flexible business accommodation (B1/B2/B8) not exceeding 3732 square metres of accommodation together with a new access to Manaton Way.  (Accommodation to be within 3 buildings with ancillary car parking.)  (Ref: R/08/64135).

The Committee was advised that no objection had been received from the Environment Agency.

RESOLVED –

That the reserved matters be APPROVED, subject to the recommended conditions.

Ref: F/08/64185 - Construction of chalet bungalow with attached garage, retaining walls, new front boundary wall & felling of trees, following demolition of existing garage

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda item 10) concerning an application for the construction of a chalet bungalow with attached garage, retaining walls, new front boundary wall and felling of trees, following demolition of existing garage (Ref: F/08/64185).

The Committee was advised that (a) an amended plan had been received, (b) an objection had been received from West End Parish Council and (c) no objection had been received from the Tree Officer.)

RESOLVED –

That permission be GRANTED, subject to:

(a)              The receipt of contributions towards Community Infrastructure, Open Space and Integrated Transport by 25 January 2009.  If the contributions are not received by this date the application should be refused solely on these grounds; and

(b)             The recommended conditions.

(NOTE: Two members of the public spoke in objection to the application.)

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services to report:-

(a)               that the following appeals have been lodged:-

F/08/63170 – 18 Pretoria Road, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application for a detached garage

F/08/62749 – site at land to the rear of 32 St John’s Road, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application for construction of 2 storey 2 bed detached dwelling with ancillary car parking & new footpath to front, following demolition of existing garage

(b)               that the following appeals have been dismissed:-

F/07/61312 – Manor Fruit Farm, Allington Lane, West End – appeal against refusal of application for use of land for storage of up to 100 touring caravans

F/08/62556 – 133 Moorgreen Road, West End – appeal against refusal of application for change of use from residential property to children’s day care centre with associated amendments to car parking and improved landscaping

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services reported:-

(a)               that the following appeals had been lodged:-

F/08/63170 – 18 Pretoria Road, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application for a detached garage

F/08/62749 – site at land to the rear of 32 St John’s Road, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application for construction of 2 storey 2 bed detached dwelling with ancillary car parking & new footpath to front, following demolition of existing garage

(b)               that the following appeals had been dismissed:-

F/07/61312 – Manor Fruit Farm, Allington Lane, West End – appeal against refusal of application for use of land for storage of up to 100 touring caravans

F/08/62556 – 133 Moorgreen Road, West End – appeal against refusal of application for change of use from residential property to children’s day care centre with associated amendments to car parking and improved landscaping

RESOLVED -

That the report be noted.

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Countryside and Trees Unit which provided an update on the improvements that had been implemented at Itchen Valley Country Park since the Committee had allocated additional funding in January 2008.

An appendix to the report contained an executive summary of the draft Management Plan for the public amenity areas of the Country Park. 

The improvements and the Management Plan would enable Itchen Valley Country Park to be entered into the Green Flag Award Scheme, details of which were also summarised in the report.

RESOLVED -  

(1)                   That the draft Management Plan for the public amenity areas of Itchen Valley Country Park be approved and adopted, subject to comments and amendments to be approved by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of this Committee;

(2)                   That Itchen Valley Country Park be formally submitted into the Green Flag Award Scheme for 2009; and

(3)                   That this Committee’s Itchen Valley Country Park Working Group meet in spring 2009 to consider plans, costings and possible future funding sources for resurfacing the car parks and replacing the adventure play area in High Hill Field.

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Transportation and Engineering concerning the diversion of a public footpath.

Planning permission had been granted for residential development at Dowds Farm and, to enable construction of the development, Hedge End public footpath number 8 needed to be diverted.

It was proposed that the footpath be diverted to follow a parallel route to the existing right of way.  It would run along the route of a 3 metre wide shared use foot/cycle path, similar to other diverted paths on Dowds Farm.

RESOLVED –

That authorisation be given for the processing of an Order under Section 257 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for the diversion of part of Hedge End public footpath number 8 at Dowds Farm as necessary to facilitate the construction of the development previously granted planning permission.

(NOTE: Councillors Bloom and House declared an interest in this item, remained in the room, spoke and voted.)