To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2010.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2010 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Councillor Bruce Tennent BSc (Eng) MBA MIET, declared a Personal interest in agenda item 13, Extending Allotment Provision - West End and Hedge End. Member of West End Parish Council.

Councillor Daniel Clarke, declared a Personal interest in agenda item 13, Extending Allotment Provision - West End and Hedge End. Member of West End Parish Council.

Councillor Derek R Pretty, declared a Personal interest in agenda item 13, Extending Allotment Provision - West End and Hedge End. Member of Hedge End Town Council.

Councillor Keith Day MA (Oxon), declared a Personal interest in agenda item 13, Extending Allotment Provision - West End and Hedge End. Member of Hedge End Town Council.

Councillor Mrs Jane Welsh, declared a Personal interest in agenda item 13, Extending Allotment Provision - West End and Hedge End. Member of Hedge End Town Council.

Councillor Peter Hughes, declared a Personal interest in agenda item 13, Extending Allotment Provision - West End and Hedge End. Member of Hedge End Town Council.

Councillor Tony Noyce, declared a Personal interest in agenda item 13, Extending Allotment Provision - West End and Hedge End. Member of West End Parish Council and allotment holder.

The Chairman reported on the following issues:

Itchen Valley Country Park: Following a Members’ meeting with the Countryside team, £400 had been allocated to ground works at West End Copse, £300 had been set aside for the Forest School volunteers to claim expenses and £470 had been allocated to improve signage and litter management.  The Area Committee had also allocated £18,000 in its Community Investment Programme to underwrite the cost of new visitor interpretation panels and displays for children visiting the High Barn information centre.

The Green Flag assessors had visited the park on Wednesday 26 May 2010 and it was hoped that green flag status would be renewed later this year.

CCTV Camera System: £2,000 had been allocated from the district centres budget to fund the cost of upgrading and camera lenses for the CCTV camera system serving West End village centre, covering the High Street and Chapel Road.

Cranbourne Park Green Consultation: The Chairman was grateful to Councillors June and Peter Hughes and Councillor Jane Welsh, who had supported the recent consultation with Cranbourne Park residents on the provision of a goal post on the central green.  It was understood that there had been a very successful “streetmeet” where local Members were able to talk directly to residents about their concerns.  The conclusion of the consultation was that the goal post and kick-about screens would not be installed on the green because of the fear of anti-social behaviour and visual impact.  Instead, the mini goal units had been offered to Hedge End Town Council so that they could be installed on the far side of the Rodaway recreation ground.

New Youth Shelters: After months of waiting, the Chairman was very pleased to confirm that the three portable youth shelters ordered by this Committee had now been installed.  It was understood that the police were very pleased with the first few weeks of their operation as they had been able to monitor young people and encourage them to congregate in the youth shelters rather than in more public locations or play areas.

Members’ Meeting: The next Members’ meeting was scheduled for 6.30pm on Monday 21 June at the Civic Offices.  The agenda was yet to be circulated but was likely to include attendance by Hampshire County Council transport engineers and with representatives from Southampton Primary Care Trust about future proposals on the Moorgreen Hospital site. 

Environmental Improvements: An order had been placed to supply new heritage style seats and bins in Botley Square.  A further four benches were to be installed in West End village and Hedge End in response to requests made by elderly residents.

The Area Co-ordinator reported on the following issues:

Transport Scheme Initiatives: Work had largely been completed on the provision of a pedestrian refuge on Moorgreen Road which gave a safer access to the West End surgery. 

Contractors had made a start on the £120,000 pedestrian-controlled crossing scheme on Tollbar Way.  Borough engineers were supervising the scheme, which would provide a safe pedestrian link between the Marks & Spencer Retail Park and Hedge End Retail Park and McDonald’s restaurant. 

An Arun shelter had now been installed on West End Road close to the Chalk Hill junction.  The shelter, funded by public transport initiatives at a cost of £6,000, meant that all bus shelters in the West End parish were now Arun style, which had a much lower maintenance cost. 

Challenge Project – Fairthorne Manor: Eleven young people between the ages of 8-12 years had successfully completed this year’s Fairthorne Manor challenge project.  The 12 week project had culminated in an overnight camp and all the young people had received certificates and vouchers to acknowledge the completion of their course. 

The course had been run in partnership with the police, the youth offending team and Hampshire County Youth Service, with £1,000 funding from both southern Area Committees.  The Committee was grateful to the Hamble Valley Rotary Club, members of which had presented certificates and vouchers to all those who had completed the course, so that all eleven young people would be able to attend summer camps at Fairthorne Manor. 

Dowd’s Farm Event: A successful community event had been held at Dowd’s Farm Park to celebrate the completion of the sculpture trail and the official opening of the play area, which was now managed by Hedge End Town Council.  The event had attracted several hundred local residents, who were able to tour the parkland and see the five public art pieces that had now been installed by Adrian Mokes.

Park Sport: The annual Park Sport programme was being planned for the summer holidays and, thanks to Members, an additional £1,400 had been allocated so that some ‘girls only’ courses could be run in the local area, as well as some cricket events.  A full programme was to be circulated when confirmation had been received.   Friday night football had also been launched at Botley Parish Council’s multi-use games area.  Twenty young people had attended the first session on Friday 28 May, which had been supervised by qualified FA coaches and NACRO outreach workers.  The Committee was grateful to Botley Parish Council for free use of its facilities.

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/09/66299 - Reserved matters pursuant to outline planning permission O/05/54780 for construction of 118 dwelling units with car parking, bin & cycle storage, open space, access road & landscaping (matters to be determined: appearance, landscaping, layout, scale & access)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda Item 7) concerning an application for reserved matters pursuant to outline planning permission O/05/54780 for construction of 118 dwelling units with car parking, bin and cycle storage, open space, access road and landscaping (matters to be determined: appearance, landscaping, layout, scale and access) (Ref: R/09/66299).

RESOLVED -

That the reserved matters be APPROVED, subject to:

(1)               The following additional conditions:

(a)                   All windows in the rear elevations of the flats on plots 46 - 55 inclusive (marked “obscure glazing” on drawings 09.22.132 Rev A and 09.22.133 Rev A) must be glazed with obscure glass and must be maintained in that condition.  Reason: To preserve the amenity of the adjoining property; and

(b)                   The balconies in the rear elevations of the flats on plots 46 – 55 inclusive (as shown on drawings 09.22.132 Rev A and 09.22.133 Rev A) must be fitted with side screens in accordance with details to be submitted to and approved beforehand in writing by the Local Planning Authority, and these screens must be subsequently retained.  Reason: To preserve the amenity of the adjoining property; and

(2)       The recommended conditions and reasons.

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

Ref: F/10/66882 - Construction of community centre/worship hall with ancillary café, offices & classrooms. New vehicular access, car parking, landscaping & alterations to existing right of way, following felling of trees

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda Item 8) concerning an application for the construction of a community centre/worship hall with ancillary café, offices and classrooms, new vehicular access, car parking, landscaping and alterations to existing right of way, following felling of trees (Ref F/10/66882).

The Committee was advised that (a) an amended site layout plan had been received, but a further one had been requested; (b) a bat survey was still required; (c) illustrative visuals had been received; (d) no objection had been received from the Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy, the Head of Transportation and Engineering, the Head of Environmental Health Services, the Disabled Access Officer or the Hampshire County Council Rights of Way Officer; and (e) the Head of Countryside and Recreation had no objection, subject to the receipt of a bat survey.

RESOLVED -

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

(1)                 The receipt of an amended site layout plan;

(2)                 The receipt of a bat survey of the farmhouse and surrounding trees;

(3)                 The following additional condition: “All windows and doors must be closed during band practice.  Reason: To protect the amenity of neighbouring occupiers”; and

(4)                 The recommended conditions and reasons.

(NOTE: One member of the public spoke in objection and one spoke with regard to the application and a representative from the applicant spoke in support.)

Ref: F/10/66934 - New landscaping bunds & regrading works to holes 7 & 18 of golf course

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda Item 9) concerning an application for new landscaping bunds and regrading works to holes 7 and 18 of the golf course (Ref: F/10/66934).

RESOLVED -

That permission be REFUSED for the following reason: 

Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that appropriate measures for sufficient disposal of surface water run-off are employed to ensure that an increase in surface water to residential curtilages detrimentally affecting amenity does not result from the proposal.  This is contrary to Policy 45.ES of the Eastleigh Borough Local Plan Review (2001-2011).

(NOTE: Three members of the public spoke in objection to the application and two agents for the applicant spoke in support.)

Ref: F/10/66935 - New landscaping bunds & regrading works to hole 1 of golf course

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda Item 10) concerning an application for new landscaping bunds and regrading works to hole 1 of the golf course (Ref: F/10/66935).

RESOLVED -

That permission be GRANTED, subject to:

(1)                   The wording of Condition 9, concerning the timing of clearance/goundworks and the impact on reptiles and nesting birds, being checked by the Head of Development Control; and

(2)                   The recommended conditions and reasons.

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

Ref: F/10/66971 - Change of use from retail (A1) to takeaway (A5), new shop front, 2no. air compressors and new flue

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Development Control (Agenda Item 11) concerning an application for change of use from retail (A1) to takeaway (A5), new shop front, 2no. air compressors and new flue (Ref: F/10/66971).

RESOLVED -

That permission be REFUSED for the recommended reason.

(NOTE: Two agents for the applicant spoke in support of the application.)

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services to report:-

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

Southbrook Farm, Brook Lane, Botley – appeal against refusal of application (Ref X/09/65938 - Committee decision in line with officer recommendation) for relief of conditions 2 and 3 of planning permission WIR 7932 to allow independent and unrestricted occupancy

62 Thistle Road, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application (Ref T/10/66601 - delegated decision) for reduction of limbs of 3no. oak trees by 2-3m

5a St Johns Road, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application (Ref A/10/66733 – delegated decision) for the display of 1no. internally illuminated fascia sign

The Piggeries, Allington Lane, West End – appeal against enforcement notice

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

40 Marlborough Gardens, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application (Ref F/09/65969 - delegated decision) for timber fence to front boundary

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services reported:-

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

Southbrook Farm, Brook Lane, Botley – appeal against refusal of application (Ref X/09/65938 - Committee decision in line with officer recommendation) for relief of conditions 2 and 3 of planning permission WIR 7932 to allow independent and unrestricted occupancy

62 Thistle Road, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application (Ref T/10/66601 - delegated decision) for reduction of limbs of 3no. oak trees by 2-3m

5a St Johns Road, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application (Ref A/10/66733 – delegated decision) for the display of 1no. internally illuminated fascia sign

The Piggeries, Allington Lane, West End – appeal against enforcement notice

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

40 Marlborough Gardens, Hedge End – appeal against refusal of application (Ref F/09/65969 - delegated decision) for timber fence to front boundary

RESOLVED -

That the report be noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the Area Co-ordinator, in consultation with the Clerks to West End Parish Council and Hedge End Town Council and the Head of Development Control, concerning the creation of up to 100 additional allotments in the local area. 

It was recommended that grants using unallocated developer’s contributions be made to West End Parish Council to extend allotments at its Moorgreen Road site and to Hedge End Town Council to create a further 70 plots at its Kanes Hill site.

Updating the report, the Area Co-ordinator reported that Hedge End Town Council had started work on the extension of its allotments and that liaison was also taking place with Botley Allotment Association with a view to the provision of more allotments.

RESOLVED -

(1)               That a grant of £10,300 to West End Parish Council using an unallocated developer’s contribution (OS 28141/10 McCarthy and Stone) be approved; and

(2)               That a grant of £8,000 to Hedge End Town Council using unallocated developer’s contributions (OS/0554987 Warner Goodman Commercial and OS/0760658 D M and A G Taylor) be approved.

(NOTE: Councillors Clarke, Tennent, Noyce, Day, Hughes, Welsh and Pretty declared an interest in this item, remained in the room and voted.)

(a)                   Hedge End, West End and Botley Community Safety Forum

(b)                   Wildern Community Management Committee

(c)                    Wildern Education Trust

RESOLVED -

That appointments to Outside Bodies for 2010/11 be made as follows:

Hedge End, West End and Botley                     Councillor Mrs C Fraser

Community Safety Forum           

Wildern Community Management                     Councillor K Day

Committee                                                               

Wildern Education Trust                                      Councillor K House

(a)                   Regulatory Panel – to deal with Licensing issues not covered by the Licensing Act 2003 or Gambling Act 2005.  Previously the Committee has nominated all Members to serve as a ‘pool’, from which three Members could be called upon

(b)                   LAC Sub-Group – Community Grants (2009/10 representatives: Councillors Mrs Fraser, Goodall, Kyrle and Pretty)

(c)                    Itchen Valley Country Park Working Group (2009/10 representatives: Councillors Mrs Fraser, Goodall, Kyrle, Noyce and Tennent)

(d)                   Eastleigh Strategic Partnership – one representative to be appointed, to attend approximately 2 meetings a year alongside other representatives from a number of agencies within the Borough.  The role of the Group is to ensure the delivery of outcomes identified in the Community Plan. (2009/10 representative: Councillor Goodall)

RESOLVED -

That appointments for 2010/11 be made as follows: