Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies or substitutions for the meeting.

An apology for absence was received from Cllr David Jenkins.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2015.

Resolved:

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 September 2015.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To receive any announcements through the Chair.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Statements

Members of the public who wish to speak either in favour or against an application or any other item on this agenda are asked to register in person no later than 10.20am on the day of the meeting.

The Chairman will allow up to 3 speakers in favour and up to 3 speakers against an application and up to 3 speakers on any other item on this agenda. Each speaker will be given up to 3 minutes and invited to speak immediately prior to the item being considered. The rules on public participation in respect of planning applications are detailed in the Council’s Planning Code of Good Practice.

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public or members of the Council received in accordance with the constitution which excludes, in particular, questions on non-determined planning applications. Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named on the front of this agenda (acting on behalf of the Corporate Director) no later than 5pm on Wednesday 14 October 2015. Please contact the officer named on the front of this agenda for further advice. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Committee members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

There were no questions received from members of the Council.

Members of the public addressed the Committee as set out in Minute Nos. 76 and 77 below.

A report by the Case Officer is attached.

The following people spoke against the application

Mr Bryan Morris, a local resident

Mr Rick Ladds, a local resident

Ms Nicola Wilson, representing Downton Society

The following person spoke in support of the application

Mr Andy Townsend, a Governor of Downton Primary School

Cllr David Mace, Chairman of Downton Parish Council (qualified support)

The Committee received a presentation from the Case Officer which set out the main issues in respect of the application, with a recommendation that subject to the Environment Agency lifting their objection, to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.  He explained that a communication had still not been received from the Environment Agency withdrawing their objection to the proposal, the Agency intimating that the application was being considered by consultants and they did not anticipate being able to send a formal response to the Council for at least a further two weeks.

Members had the opportunity to ask technical questions after which the Committee received statements from members of the public as detailed above, expressing their views regarding the planning application.

The Committee also received representations from Mrs Sandra Moody and Mrs Saxby, local residents.

Members then heard the views of Cllr Julian Johnson, the local Member, in which he explained that, although in principle he supported the proposal, he did have some reservations in particular regarding the proposed cladding of the extension to the school, water storage and the flood defence ditch and water-retaining channel, called The Bunny. 

After discussion,

Resolved:

Subject to the Environment Agency withdrawing their objections, to delegate to the Area Development Manager authority to grant planning permission, subject to the following conditions and any further conditions requested by the Environment Agency:-

1.    The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

REASON: To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans:

Drawing number P008a Revision A dated Nov 2014, as deposited with the local planning authority on 14.08.15, and

Drawing number P014b Revision B dated Nov 2014, as deposited with the local planning authority on 14.08.15, and

Drawing number P004 Revision C dated July 15, as deposited with the local planning authority on 14.08.15, and

Drawing number P006 Revision A dated Nov 2014, as deposited with the local planning authority on 14.08.15, and

Drawing number P002 Revision C dated Nov 2014, as deposited with the local planning authority on 14.08.15, and

Drawing number P007 dated Nov 2014, as deposited with the local planning authority on 14.08.15, and

Drawing number P003 dated Nov 2014, as deposited with the local planning authority on 14.08.15, and

Drawing number P005b Revision B dated Nov 2014, as deposited with the local planning authority on 14.08.15, and

Drawing number P015c Revision C dated Nov 2014, as deposited with the local planning authority on 14.08.15,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

A report by the Case Officer is attached.

The following people spoke in support of the application

Mr Cliff Lane, the agent

Ms Jane Brentor, Downton Neighbourhood Plan

Cllr David Mace, Chairman of Downton Parish Council (qualified support)

The Committee received a presentation from the Area Development Manager which set out the main issues in respect of the application with a recommendation that planning permission be granted, subject to the outstanding matters set out in the recommendation being addressed, the satisfactory completion of a Section 106 Agreement and conditions.  As part of the presentation the Area Development Manager pointed out that the S106 financial community contribution is £79,024 (and not £97.024 as set out in the report); he also drew the Committee’s attention to required changes to condition nos. 3 and 21.

Members had the opportunity to ask technical questions after which the Committee received statements from members of the public as detailed above, expressing their views regarding the planning applications.

Members then heard the views of Cllr Julian Johnson, the local Member, in which he explained that, although in principle he supported the proposal, he did have some concerns regarding:

·         Drainage, considering that the existing sewage and drainage infrastructure was insufficient to support current housing.   

·         Highways, stating that a solution was required for vehicles from the proposed new development accessing the already-congested Road A338.

The Area Development Manager considered that these concerns were fully covered in Condition Nos. 10, 14 and 15.

The Committee also received late representations from the Council’s Ecologist concerning the impact of the proposal on the New Forest Special Protection Area (SPA) and stating that further information had been presented by the developer demonstrating that a mechanism to offset impacts on the New Forest SPA was likely to be forthcoming.

After discussion,

Resolved:

To delegate authority to the Area Development Manager to grant planning permission, provided:-

1)     Planning application 14/11642/DP3 (Downton C of E Primary School, Gravel Close, Downton, SP5 3LZ - Change of use of Memorial Gardens to provide an enlarged playground area, incorporating a hard games court area. Bridge over The Bunney, proposed 2 storey classroom extension and extension to main hall) first gaining planning permission;

2)     The proposed mitigation measures in respect of the impact on the New Forest Special Protection Area are agreed to the satisfaction of the Area Development Manager (South), which shall be the subject of an ‘appropriate assessment’ having regard to the Habitat Regulations; and

3)     All interested parties enter into a Section 106 Agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1900 in respect of the following matters:-

·         Affordable Housing

·         Public Open Space

·         Educational Facilities

·         Early Years Education

·         Community Facilities

·         Refuse Collection/Recycling

·         New Forest Special Area of Protection

And subject to the following conditions (including modified condition no. 14 following representations by Downton Parish Council) :-

To note that the next meeting of the Committee is due to be held on Wednesday 11 November 2015, at County Hall, Trowbridge, starting at 10.30am.

Resolved:

To note that the next scheduled meeting of the Committee was due to be held on Wednesday 11 November 2015, at County Hall, Trowbridge, starting at 10.30am.

Any other items of business which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no item of urgent business.