Mr Payne informed the Committee of the responses he had received from the Development Control and Building Control Units of the Council when he approached them for advice on the building of an extension to his property.  The Chairman confirmed that these comments would be passed to the relevant staff and a written response provided to Mr Payne.

(Subsequent to the meeting, the Area Co-ordinator visited Mr Payne and the situation was clarified.)

Mr Murrell addressed the Committee with regard to parking in Tanhouse Lane, opposite Tesco Express.  A layby was situated opposite the shop, but people parked in it at right angles to the road, with their cars overlapping the carriageway.  In addition, people loading the boots of their cars had to stand in the road, which was very dangerous.  Delivery vehicles for the shop also aggravated this problem.  Mr Murrell provided a photograph to clarify the situation.  The Chairman confirmed that these comments would be passed to the relevant staff and a written response provided to Mr Murrell.     

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2009.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2009 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman stated that he was pleased to be back after several weeks’ absence due to illness.  He thanked Councillor Goodall who, as Vice-Chairman, had chaired last month’s Committee meeting and dealt with urgent issues.  He then reported on the following issues:

Essential Tree Maintenance:  The Chairman had approved a virement of £2,000 as a contribution towards the cost of essential tree maintenance work at Pine Walk, West End.  He was grateful to the arboricultural team for undertaking tree survey work in this area and supervising contractors.

Library Projects: The Committee had agreed to provide a £500 grant to Hampshire Library Service, which would be using this money to develop a jigsaw library at West End and to fund transport costs for a monthly elderly persons’ reading group, which would start at Hedge End library in the next few weeks.  The Committee had been very pleased to hear that Hampshire County Council would be opening the Hedge End library for a further eight hours a week, enabling the library to be open all day on Mondays and Wednesdays.  However, the Chairman considered that the people of Hedge End deserved a much larger library with full time opening hours and he had asked the Area Co-ordinator to liaise with County Council officers and continue pressure for improvements to local library services.

Planning Appeals: On 3 March, Members and representatives from Botley Parish Council were to attend a planning appeal hearing and would be presenting evidence in respect of Hatts Copse Farm.  Robin Reay had been employed to present the Council’s defence.

Fairtrade Fortnight: The Chairman wished to express thanks to Wildern School for hosting a number of events sponsored by the Committee during the recent Fairtrade fortnight.  A “Fairtrade morning” had been held on Thursday 26 February for elderly residents and a successful evening event had been attended by the Mayor, local Members and Chris Huhne MP.

Wildern Studio Theatre: A “Gateway Review” had been completed and good progress was now being made on the development of the 300 seat studio theatre which was to be built next to Wildern’s D@rt Centre.  Approval had been given for County Architects to undertake detailed planning and design so that a planning application could be prepared.  The Chairman was delighted to report that Hedge End Town Council had confirmed a capital allocation of £300,000 towards this project, which had been matched by Wildern School governors.  It was anticipated that the building would be completed by Christmas 2010 and the Chairman looked forward to a first class community theatre being available in the heart of Hedge End to provide a wide range of arts, cinema and professional standard events.

Paxton Close: A residents’ consultation on parking problems had now been completed and the Council’s Engineers had instructed contractors to revise car parking areas to prevent unsightly damage to grass verges.

Spring Flowers: Finally, the Chairman hoped that Members had noticed the ever increasing number of crocus and daffodil displays that were brightening up the local area.  This Committee had consistently invested time and effort in encouraging the planting of local highway verges and the Chairman welcomed suggestions from both Members and local Town and Parish Councils as to where future planting could be undertaken.  Members of the Committee reported that positive comments had been received regarding the planting and that the local area was much improved.

The Area Co-ordinator reported on the following issues:

Street Name Plates: Sixty new street name plates were to be installed in the next few weeks around the local area.  An early order had been placed to take advantage of a commitment by the supplier to keep prices frozen at 2007/8 levels.  Priority had been given to replacing poor quality signs in Hedge End and Botley.

Traffic Regulation Orders: Traffic Regulation Orders recently approved by this Committee had now been implemented, with new double yellow lines being laid in Moorgreen Road, Monarch Way, Moorhill Road and at key junctions in the Turnpike Way area.

Local Youth Grants: The HEWEB Youth Council had completed their local grants panel process.  This year they had received 19 applications and would be attending the next Committee meeting to recommend that 14 grants be made, totalling £3,500.

Devolution and transfers: A high priority was being given to the transfer of open spaces to Hedge End Town Council.  Nelson Gardens play area, Beattie Rise Recreation Ground, Wildern Nature Reserve, Hogsty Copse, Bottom Copse and Hedge End Town Centre planters were on course to be transferred by the end of this month.  Further transfers including Locke Road open space and the new Dowd’s Farm Park were to follow in 2010.

Community Safety Forum: The next meeting was a public meeting at 7pm on Monday 9 March at St Lukes Church.  The theme was ‘Make Hedge End Safer’ and residents were to be asked about their local concerns and community safety priorities.  Police, youth workers and various agencies would also be attending the meeting.

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: R/09/64385 – Reserved matters pursuant to outline permission Z/40065/000 for the construction of 173 dwellings with associated roads, footpaths, landscaping and engineering works (all reserved matters)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda item 7) concerning an application for reserved matters pursuant to outline permission Z/40065/000 for the construction of 173 dwellings with associated roads, footpaths, landscaping and engineering works (Ref: R/09/64385).

The Committee was advised that (a) the proposal was for 172 dwellings; (b) revised layout and elevations had been received, but further negotiations were required; and (c) the consultation period for neighbour comments expired on 13 March 2009.

RESOLVED -

That the decision be DELEGATED to the Head of Development Control, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Ward Members, to APPROVE the reserved matters, subject to:

(a)                The receipt of revised plans;

(b)               The consideration of any comments received from consultees before the expiry of the consultation period; and

(c)                The recommended conditions.

(NOTE: One member of the public spoke with regard to the application.)

Ref: F/09/64497 – Single storey side and rear extension, following demolition of existing garage

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda item 8) concerning an application for a single storey side and rear extension, following demolition of the existing garage (Ref: F/09/64497).

The Committee was advised that no third party comments had been received.

RESOLVED –

That permission be GRANTED, subject to:

(a)                The recommended conditions; and

(b)               The following additional condition: “Detailed proposals for the disposal of foul and surface water shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority before the commencement of the development hereby permitted.  The approved details shall be fully implemented before the building hereby approved is occupied.  Reason: To ensure satisfactory provision of foul and surface water drainage.”

(NOTE:  Councillor Mrs Fraser declared an interest in this application and left the room during the debate and vote.)

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services to report:-

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

F/08/63777 – 6 St John’s Centre, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application for change of use from retail (use class A1) to takeaway (use class A5) with addition of extraction duct & 2no. compressors

F/08/63632 – 29 Lucerne Gardens, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application for first floor side extension and rear conservatory

(b)               that the following appeal has been dismissed:-

O/08/61960 – Hawthorne House, Botley Road, West End – appeal against outline application for the creation of 2 no. flats within, and alterations to existing dwelling.  Construction of 3no. 2 bed dwellings.  Alterations to access with widening of footpath & provision of car parking & bin storage

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services reported:-

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

F/08/63777 – 6 St John’s Centre, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application for change of use from retail (use class A1) to takeaway (use class A5) with addition of extraction duct & 2no. compressors

F/08/63632 – 29 Lucerne Gardens, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application for first floor side extension and rear conservatory

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

O/08/61960 – Hawthorne House, Botley Road, West End – appeal against outline application for the creation of 2 no. flats within, and alterations to existing dwelling.  Construction of 3no. 2 bed dwellings.  Alterations to access with widening of footpath & provision of car parking & bin storage

RESOLVED -

That the report be noted.

Consideration was given to a joint report of the Area Co-ordinator with the Head of Transportation and Engineering, Hampshire County Council Area Traffic and Transport Team (South) and the Head of Development Control concerning highway priorities for Hedge End, West End and Botley.

Following a full review of local highway priorities, which had been undertaken in consultation with the Cabinet lead for Transport and StreetScene and representatives from Hampshire County Council’s Area Traffic and Transport Team (South), the report recommended that the Committee approve the highway priorities contained in the Transport Scheme Inventory provided in Appendices 1-3 to the report.

It was also recommended that the priorities be referred to Hampshire County Council members for endorsement by the Hampshire Action Team as a “shared vision” for local highway projects.     

The report recommended that the Head of Development Control be requested to adopt these priorities and use them as a basis for negotiation to secure further appropriate developers’ contributions for local highway improvements. 

Appendix 4 to the report contained a summary of a number of developers’ contributions held by the Council for integrated transport initiatives.  It was recommended that these currently unallocated contributions be released into the Committee’s Community Investment Programme, to be designated as integrated transport initiatives for the parished areas of Hedge End, West End and Botley.  Should this process be approved, it was further recommended that appropriate developers’ contributions be allocated by the Head of Transportation and Engineering and Head of Development Control, in consultation with Hampshire County Council officers, to specific projects within the priorities contained in Appendices 1-3 to the report.

In order to monitor progress on projects, it was recommended that a joint authority review of the Transport Scheme Inventory, progress on projects and allocation of developers’ contributions take place at six monthly intervals, which could then be referred to the Hampshire Action Team.

In considering the report, the Committee made a number of proposals for additional projects and amendments to existing projects in the Transport Scheme Inventory.

RESOLVED –

(1)             That the Transport Scheme Inventory of local highway priorities for Hedge End, West End and Botley contained in Appendices 1-3 to the report be endorsed, and included in this Committee’s Local Area Plan;

(2)             That it be recommended to Hampshire County Council Members that these local priorities be endorsed and referred to the Hampshire Action Team for ratification;

(3)             That the Head of Development Control be requested to adopt these priorities and use them as a basis for securing appropriate developers’ contributions;

(4)             That the developers’ contributions currently held by the Borough Council, and attached as Appendix 4 to the report, be approved for release into this Committee’s Community Investment Programme, to be designated as integrated transport initiatives for the parished areas of Hedge End, West End and Botley;

(5)             That the allocation by the Head of Transportation and Engineering and the Head of Development Control, in consultation with the County Area Traffic and Transport Team (South), of appropriate developers’ contributions to progress specific projects within the Transport Scheme Inventory detailed in Appendices 1-3 to the report be approved;

(6)             That a joint authority review of the Transport Scheme Inventory, progress on projects and allocation of developers’ contributions be undertaken at six monthly intervals, and referred to the Hampshire Action Team; and 

(7)             That the following additions and amendments be made to the Transport Scheme Inventory:

(i)                  That it be ensured that ID 371 (Moorgreen Road) be considered as a high priority;

(ii)                That ID 373 (Grange Park to Hedge End Station) be moved from medium to high priority;

(iii)              That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The Committee considered a report of the Area Co-ordinator, on behalf of the Hedge End, West End and Botley Community Grants Panel, concerning the allocation of grants to local voluntary organisations, for which a sum of £6,980 was available. 

Appendix 1 to the report contained a summary of applications, the purpose of each application, the amount requested, comments and conditions and the amount recommended for approval. 

Cabinet had recently adopted a policy for ceasing funding, in exceptional circumstances, to voluntary and community organisations, and this policy was contained in Appendix 2 to the report.

It was recommended that a sum of £6,315 be allocated to local organisations, with residual funds being set aside to provide “start-up” grants throughout the forthcoming year.

The Area Co-ordinator reported that a meeting was to be held with Eastleigh Southern Parishes Older Persons’ Forum (ESPOPF) on 3 March, the result of which would confirm whether a grant could be considered.

RESOLVED –

(1)             That grants of £6,315 be approved as recommended in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(2)             That residual funds of £665 be reserved to provide “start up” grants for new community initiatives throughout 2009/10.