Issue - meetings

Proposal Description: Item 6: (AMENDED PLANS RECEIVED 07/12/2021 and 23/12/2021) Appearance, Landscaping Layout and Scale of Residential, Park and Stride and Public Open Space elements and; Layout of Employment Park

The application was introduced.  Members were referred to the Update Sheet which set out: the comments of Hampshire County Council Education Authority and an additional condition to address concerns regarding the levels of the site; clarification regarding the hard surfacing and the affordable housing units; a typographical error to the site description and historic environment section of the report; an additional condition in response to the HCC Highway Authority’s comments regarding the employment land layout; an additional condition regarding the removal of Class B rights; and an amendment to condition 2 (approved plans) and condition 13 (landscaping) to include drawing references. 

During public participation, David Jobbins (agent) spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

Councillor Power spoke as a Ward Member and answered Members’ questions thereon.

In summary, Councillor Power stated that the application broadly delivered the benefits for Alresford that it was seeking for the last 12 years and she mainly supported the application. However, she expressed concerns regarding the lack of a construction management plan and stated that her primary concern was the park and stride which she considered to be inadequately located for all users and insufficient in terms of its size for the school with a narrow pavement from the site adjacent with many parked vehicles leading towards the school. She also considered that this area would be used for overnight parking for residents in surrounding roads where there was a lack of residential parking and would not be used by the residents of Sun Lane who would be paying towards its maintenance.

In conclusion, Councillor Power stated that dormice were present on site and sought reassurance that the conditions of the application provided adequate protection for these habitats.

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

            RESOLVED:

                        The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and         subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report and the        Update Sheet, subject to an amendment to condition 3 to request       details of swift and sparrow boxes to be submitted; and an addition to     the biodiversity condition (condition 3) to ensure adequate space for            the movement of hedgehogs within the site. The exact wording to be     delegated to the Service Lead: Built Environment to agree in         consultation with the Chair.