Agenda and minutes

The Panel noted the apologies of Councillor Cox, who was represented by Councillor M Bunday for the purposes of the meeting.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on  27 June 2023 and 11 July 20223 and to deal with any matters arising.

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Panel meetings on meetings held on 27 June 2023 and 11 July 2023 were approved and signed as a correct record at the previous meeting. 

Report of the Head of Transport and Planning recommending that conditional approval be granted in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Transport and Planning recommending that conditional planning permission be granted in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

Change of use of Albion Place and Castle Way car parks to bus hub interchange with formation of associated vehicular access and public open  space (proposal affects setting of listed structures and ancient scheduled monuments) [Amended description].

Mr Raymond Shave - Southampton Masonic Hall in Albion Place, Denis Gilbert (local residents/objecting), Nicholas Askew, Head of Public Realm, Green City & Infrastructure, SCC (supporter) and Councillor Noon (ward councillors/supporting) were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting. In addition, the Panel noted that a statement had been received, circulated, and read by the Panel and posted online from Ros Cassy, Old Community Town Forum.

Report of the Head of Transport and Planning recommending that conditional approval be granted in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Transport and Planning in respect of an application for planning permission for the proposed development at the above address recommending that the application be conditionally approved subject to the criteria listed in the report.

Reserved matters application seeking approval for APPEARANCE, LANDSCAPING and SCALE following outline planning permission. Ref: 19/00838/OUT for redevelopment of the Bitterne Parish Church site including 15 houses (4 x 4 bed and 6 x 3 bed in semi-detached pairs and 5 x 2 bed) with new access road and car parking; and multi-use games area, following demolition of existing parish church hall and the removal of the existing bowling green and pavilion (departure from local plan).

Stuart Barnes (local resident objecting), and Philip Dudley, Director, Vivid Design Studio (agent) were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The presenting officer reported that the final sentence of condition 3, which related to Residential Parking (Pre-Occupation), would be deleted. The updated condition is noted below. The presenting officer also reported that condition 1 would be deleted.

During discussion on the item, Councillors requested further discussion with the applicant to identify if the ball court could be retained during construction. The officer agreed to consult the applicant following the meeting but explained that embedded within the agreement was the plan to provide a better sports facility on the site (condition 5.5).

Upon being put to the vote the Panel confirmed the Habitats Regulation Assessment.

The Panel then considered the recommendation that the application be conditionally approved subject to criteria listed in the report (as amended).  Upon being put to the vote the recommendation was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED:

1.  to confirm the Habitats Regulation Assessment set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.  that Planning permission be approved subject to the conditions set out within the report and any additional or amended conditions set out below.

Changes to conditions:

Delete last sentence of condition 3, so that it now reads:

03. Residential Parking (Pre-Occupation)

The parking spaces for the dwellings; and access, to them shall be provided in accordance with the plans hereby approved before the development first comes into occupation and thereafter retained solely for the use of the occupants and their visitors; and for no other purposes other than indicated on the approved plans.

Reason: To prevent obstruction to traffic in neighbouring roads and in the interests of highway safety.

Delete recommended condition 1.

Report of the Head of Transport and Planning recommending that the Panel delegate approval in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Transport and Planning in respect of an application for planning permission for the proposed development at the above address recommending that authority be delegated to the Head of Transport and Planning to grant planning permission subject to the criteria listed in the report.

Subdivision of the existing retail unit into 2 x retail units with new first floor mezzanine to create additional retail space associated external alterations, erection of 2.5m high acoustic fence, reconfiguration of car park and  landscaping works (amended after validation to include acoustic fence).

The presenting officer advised that there were three changes to her recommendation:

(1)  In recommendation i, to delete “and/or undertakes” and replace with “to undertake”.

(2)  Amendments to condition 12 as set out in full below; and

(3)  New conditions to reimpose existing restrictions on the Wickes retail unit.

Kerry and Alex Harman (local residents objecting) attempted to join the hybrid meeting, several times, without success. However, the residents had submitted three detailed objections during the consultation process, and the Officer summarised these objections for members of the Panel on behalf of the residents. Mr Alan Williams (agent), was present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

During discussion on the item, members raised the issue that 1 cargo cycle parking space be sought within the cycle parking provision. The Officer agreed to negotiate this with the Applicant under delegation, advising the Panel that officers would have more control with a specific Local Plan policy on the issue.

The Panel then considered the recommendation that authority be delegated to the Head of Transport and Planning to grant planning permission subject to criteria listed in the report (as amended) and was unanimously carried.

RESOLVEDthat authority be delegated to the Head of Transport and Planning to grant planning permission subject to the conditions in the report and any additional or amended conditions or planning obligations set out below.

Changes to recommendation/conditions

Changes to Recommendation

No change to the recommendation itself, but a correction to the wording – delete “and/or undertakes” and replace with “to undertake”:

  i.  Either the developer enters into an agreement with the Council under s.278 of the Highways Act to undertake a scheme of works or provides a financial contribution towards site specific transport contributions for highway improvements in the vicinity of the site including junction improvements, an additional turning lane and improved pedestrian crossings/environment around the existing junction in line with Policy SDP4 of the City of Southampton Local Plan Review (as amended 2015), policies CS18 and CS25 of the adopted LDF Core Strategy (as amended 2015) and the adopted Developer Contributions SPD (April 2013).

Amended Conditions

·  Cllr Savage requested that 1 cargo cycle parking space be sought within the cycle parking provision to be agreed under Condition 11. The Case Officer will negotiate this with the Applicant under delegation.

·  Amend Condition 12 Refuse & Recycling - Replace “development” with “newly created retail unit”:

12. Refuse & Recycling (Pre-Use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Report of the Head of Transport and Planning recommending that the Panel delegate approval in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Transport and Planning in respect of an application for planning permission for the proposed development at the above address recommending that authority be delegated to the Head of Transport and Planning to grant planning permission subject to the criteria listed in the report.

Erection of a 1-bed detached house, following demolition of existing building.

Gary Pengelly (local resident objecting), and Councillor Keogh (ward councillor/objecting) were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting. In addition the Panel noted that a statement had been received, circulated, and read by the Panel and posted online from Cynthia and Herman Where (local residents objecting).

The presenting officer reported deleted conditions regarding water efficiency and energy efficiency, and additional conditions as set out in full below.

During discussion on the item, members raised the issue that separate planning permission would be required to turn the property into an HMO. And that in demolishing and developing the property the Applicant should curtail damage to neighbouring properties.

Upon being put to the vote the Panel confirmed the Habitats Regulation Assessment.

RECORDED VOTE

FOR:  Councillors Beaurain, Blatchford, M Bunday, Savage, Windle.

ABSTAINED: Councillor Frampton

The Panel then considered recommendation (2) that authority be delegated to the Head of Transport and Planning to grant planning permission subject to criteria listed in the report] (as amended).  Upon being put to the vote the recommendations (as amended) were carried, following the casting vote of the Chair.

RECORDED VOTE

FOR:  Councillors M Bunday, Savage, Windle. 

AGAINST:  Councillors Beaurain, Blatchford, Frampton.

RESOLVED

1.  To confirm the Habitats Regulation Assessment set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.  That authority be delegated to the Head of Transport and Planning to grant planning permission subject to the conditions in the report and any additional or amended conditions or planning obligations set out below.

Changes to recommendation/conditions

Deleted conditions, additional conditions, note to applicant, informative (By Officer)

Deleted conditions:

7) Water Efficiency (Pre-commencement)

With the exception of site clearance, demolition and preparation works, no development works shall be carried out until written documentary evidence demonstrating that the development will achieve a maximum of 100Litres/Person/Day internal water use the form of a water efficiency calculator shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for its approval, unless an otherwise agreed timeframe is agreed in writing by the LPA. The appliances/ fittings to be installed as specified.

Reason: To ensure the development minimises its overall demand for resources and to demonstrate compliance with policy CS20 of the Local Development Framework Core Strategy Development Plan Document Adopted Version (Amended 2015)

8) Energy Efficiency - Conversion (Pre-Commencement)

Confirmation of the energy strategy, that will achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions of at least 15% or a minimum Energy Efficiency Rating of 70 post refurbishment (an EPC rating C), must be submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of the development hereby granted consent. Measures that meet the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

Report of the Head of Transport and Planning recommending that the Panel refuse planning permission in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Green City and Infrastructure recommending that the Panel refuse planning permission in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

Erection of a 6ft fence around front of property (retrospective).

Mr and Mrs Jamie Risk (applicant), were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The presenting officer reported an update had been provided both in writing and verbally to amend paragraph 8.1 of the officer recommendation to confirm that the recommendation was to refuse on the basis of the harm the proposal caused to the character and appearance of the area.

During discussion on the item, Councillors noted sympathy for the Applicants but also that the impact of the fence on the area was severe. 

The Panel then considered the recommendation to refuse to grant planning permission. Upon being put to the vote the recommendation was carried.

RECORDED VOTE to refuse planning permission.

FOR:  Councillors Blatchford, M Bunday, Frampton, Savage, Windle.

AGAINST:  Councillor Beaurain

RESOLVED to refuse planning permission for the reasons set out below.

Reason for Refusal (in full)

The fence by virtue of its height and siting is at odds with the prevailing character of Moorlands Crescent which primarily consists of open plan frontages with low level boundary treatments. The fence therefore results in harm to the character of the area contrary to saved Policies SDP9, and SDP12 of the City of Southampton Local Plan Review (2015), saved Policy CS13 of the adopted Local Development Framework Core Strategy Development Plan Document (as amended 2015) and the relevant guidance contained within both the Council's approved Residential Design Guide SPD (2006) and the National Planning Policy Framework 2023 in respect of good design. Any benefits to the applicant in terms of any perceived improvements to privacy and security would not outweigh the harm identified above. Furthermore, approval would set an unwanted precedent for other sites.