Issue - meetings

Item 12: (AMENDED PLANS received 31/07/2020) Erection of single detached dwelling. 

The Old Bank, High Street, West Meon, GU32 1LJ

Case number: SDNP/19/05173/FUL

The Service Lead - Built Environment referred Members to the Update Sheet which set out additional information in relation to the following: the status of additional roof plan provided to the Parish Council; an explanation of the abbreviations; ecology survey and water voles, and car parking, cycle storage and turning area.

During public participation, Neil March (Southern Planning Practice on behalf of Ingrid Sparshott and neighbours) spoke in objection to the application and Richard Lowe (agent) spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

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

In summary, Councillor Lumby highlighted the location of the site and outlined the detrimental impact of the proposal on neighbouring properties. He raised concerns regarding vehicle access along the A32 and the dangers encountered by existing road users, pedestrians and cyclists and made reference to the River Meon which he stated was a site of importance for nature conservation that the SDNP were duty bound to protect.

In conclusion, Councillor Lumby recognised that the officer’s recommendation was finely balanced and he raised the concerns of local residents regarding the enforceability of the conditions set out in the report, should the application be permitted. He urged the committee to undertake a site visit to assess access concerns and overlooking issues on site prior to further consideration. Failing this, he suggested the committee refuse the application as contrary to SD1, SD2, SD11 and dark night skies policies.

At the conclusion of debate, the committee agreed to defer determination to a future meeting of the committee in order to allow for a site visit to view the proposal in the context of its location and to assess access and overlooking issues.

The committee was reminded that, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, previous speakers would have the right to restate their comments when this application came back to committee for consideration.