Decision details

Item 9:  Car Park with landscaping and new access from Worthy Road.

Land at St Swithuns Church, London Road, Headbourne Worthy.

Case number: 18/01978/FUL.

During public participation, Gail Alexander (The Worthies Conservation Volunteers) spoke in objection to the application and Headbourne Worthy Parish Councillor Christine Clarkesmith and Gimma McPherson (Parochial Church Council for the Church) spoke in support and answered Members’ questions thereon.

During public participation, Councillor Porter spoke on this item as a Ward Member.

In summary, Councillor Porter stated that she wished to raise the following points:

·         Concerns over the viability of the church

·         Concerns over the impact on ecology

·         Highway issues, including the dampness of the site of the existing informal car park and the safety of the entrance to the new car park on a busy 30 to 40mph road.  She asked if sight lines were adequate with the introduction of electric vehicles and the use of cycles that could be less heard.

·         Was car parking capacity met with 25 new spaces

·         Was lighting required for the safety of visitors

·         The erosion of the strategic gap with the development of the car park

·         Possible use as an informal Park and Ride (following the introduction parking restrictions in Abbotts Worthy)

·         Effect on the setting of the listed church, which would not be enhanced

·         The provision of a small number of disabled bays would have been more acceptable

·         Speed limits on the road could have been addressed as part of the Planning Application.

At the conclusion of debate, the Committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report.