Issue - meetings

Proposal Description: Item 6: Full planning permission for 80 dwellings, 716sq.m of Class E commercial space comprising Class E(c) - (financial and professional services), E (e) (medical or health services) and E (g) (uses which can be carried out in a residential area without detriment to its amenity including industrial processes), related vehicle access from Solomons Lane (residential) and Winchester Road (single access to serve 8 properties, and commercial), separate pedestrian/cycle access from Winchester Road, open space and play space, landscaped buffer to Waltham Chase Meadows Site Scientific Interest (SSSI) , parking, landscaping and drainage infrastructure. (Amended Description)

It was noted that members of the committee had visited the application site on 11December 2023 to enable members to observe the site in context and to gain a better appreciation of the proposals.

The committee noted that the application site was on the boundary and was located within the Central Meon Valley ward and not Whiteley and Shedfield as set out on the agenda pack.

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the Update Sheet which set out in full the following:

1.    Amendments to the plans negotiated section;

2.    Submission of updated viability reports and re-advertisement details;

3.    Additional further objections submitted from households that had previously raised comment;

4.    A comment from Hampshire County Councillor Hugh Lumby;

5.    Further clarification on a number of issues relating to external lighting, employment and management of the public open space

6.    An addition to the sustainable travel section;

7.    An additional Heads of Term for a bond to pay upfront to ensure laying out of the open space; and

8.    A Public Health representation received from NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB on 8 December 2023 and planning’s response to this representation.

In addition, a verbal update was provided by the case officer at the meeting that the footpath going through the public open space will be secured as part of the Heads of Term for the S106 agreement and also recommended several additional regarding visibility splays being retained and ensuring that no planting within visibility splays was no higher than 0.6 metres in height. If the committee were minded to approve the application, the matters set out above would be applied.

During public participation, David Ogden and Ian Donohue and Councillor Margaret Jones (both speaking on behalf of Shedfield Parish Council) spoke in objection to the application and Simon Packer spoke in support of the application and all answered Members’ questions thereon.

Councillor Wallace spoke as a Ward Member. In summary, Councillor Wallace, raised the following points:

·       Under the current existing Local Plan, Waltham Chase has a requirement for approx. 250 new dwellings earmarked to be built over a 20 year period have already been built out and the village has grown by 28% in the last decade putting a strain on services and infrastructure in the area.

·       If approved, this application would result in the village expanding by almost 40%.

·       Although the number of houses has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6