Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were noted as above.

          RESOLVED: 

                     That Councillor Gordon-Smith be appointed as Vice-   Chairperson for this meeting.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Councillors or Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs), other registerable interests (ORIs), non-registerable interests (NRIs) and on Pre-determination or Bias in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

If you require advice, please contact the appropriate Democratic Services Officer, prior to the meeting.

Councillor Pett declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of agenda item 6 (Gravel Hill Farm, Gravel Hill, Shirrell Heath – case number: 25/02463/FUL) due to being a member of the South Downs National Park Authority. However, as there was no material conflict of interest, he remained in the room, spoke and voted under the dispensation granted by the Monitoring Officer that enabled him to participate and vote on such matters

Councillor Clear and Councillor Small declared a disclosable pecuniary interest due to their roles as Hampshire County Councillors.  However, as there was no material conflict of interest, they remained in the room, spoke and voted under the dispensation granted on behalf of the Audit and Governance Committee to          participate and vote in all matters which might have a County Council involvement.

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 May 2026 (to follow)

The Chairperson announced that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 May 2026 would be considered at the next committee meeting in July.

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The committee agreed to receive the Update Sheet as an addendum to the report.

A copy of each planning application decision is available to view on the council’s website under the respective planning application.

The committee considered the following items:

Proposal Description: Item 6:  Change of use from Use Class B1c/B2/B8 (19/00001/FUL) to Sui Generis bespoke to Turbocam including minor alterations to Rooflights and new external plant enclosure

It was noted that that majority of committee members present had visited the application site and the existing site on 9 June 2026 to enable members to observe the site in context and to gain a better appreciation of the proposals.

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

(i)             Removal of business and replace with manufacturing on Condition 8.

Condition 8:

8. No manufacturing operations shall be carried out outside the building.

Reason: To ensure acceptable noise levels within noise sensitive premises are maintained and to limit the impact on residential amenity.

The reason for the change was to allow things such as business meetings outside and external repairs/maintenance to the building.

In addition, the planning case officer gave a verbal update at the meeting to advise that an email had been received from the applicant on 8 June 2026 and a copy of this had been circulated to all members of the committee.

During public participation, Alice Drew and Councillor Karen Bird (Shedfield Parish Council) spoke in objection to the application and Matthew Brussee and Stuart Morley spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

Councillor V Achwal spoke as Ward Member in objection to the application.

In summary, Councillor Achwal raised the following points:

1.    She noted that the recent site visit was helpful for members to see the application site in its context with nearby roads.

2.    She stated that the application should be judged on the intensity of the site’s use and its suitability for a rural area with nearby homes, rather than just the building itself.

3.    She highlighted that there had been 78 objections to the proposal, including an objection from Shedfield Parish Council, with residents expressing repeated concerns regarding noise disturbance, traffic, HGV movements, highway safety, and the impact on the rural character of the area.

4.    While she acknowledged the positive improvements in the sustainability statement regarding energy performance and low carbon technology, she argued these benefits did not address the primary issue of the location being unsuitable.

5.    She raised concerns regarding transport and accessibility, noting the site had no meaningful public transport, no footpaths, and very limited pedestrian access, making it a solely car-dependent site.

6.    Councillor Achwal considered the proposal was contrary to policies CP10 and CP13, both of which seek to reduce the reliance on private vehicles.

7.    Regarding highway safety, she noted that Shirrell Heath High Street was a long, straight road where she regularly received complaints about speeding, and that the site access was on the brow of a hill which reduced visibility.

8.    She pointed out that nearby junctions leading to the site had seen several major collisions in recent years and urged members to consider the real safety risks of increased traffic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Proposal Description: Item 7: Planning application for a two-bedroom annexe, rear extension to provide playroom and rooflight over existing roof

The application was introduced. During public participation, Lisa Fielding (Parish Clerk for Littleton and Harestock Parish Council) spoke in objection to the application and Mark Benzie spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon

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.

The Service Lead: Built Environment provided the committee with a detailed summary of the 10 planning appeal decisions for the period 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2026 and the 4 enforcement appeal decisions for the period 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2026. 

The Chairperson thanked members and the Planning Team for the positive appeal outcomes achieved.

RESOLVED:

That the summary of planning and enforcement appeal decisions received during the period 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2026, be noted.