Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the STRATEGIC PLANNING JOINT ADVISORY PANEL held on 16 March 2006 at The Castle, Winchester.

PRESENT:

Councillors:

Hampshire County Council:

Portsmouth City Council:

Southampton City Council:

District Council representative also in attendance:

Councillor: J. Beveridge (Winchester City Council)

50. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

It was reported that Hampshire County Council's previous chairmanship of the Panel had expired and that the former Chairman, Councillor K.B. Estlin, was no longer a Member of the Council. It was therefore

RESOLVED:

That Councillor J.K. Glen of Hampshire County Council be appointed Chairman of the Panel for the ensuing year.

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COUNCILLOR J.K. GLEN IN THE CHAIR
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51. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should declare their personal interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the constituent Councils' Codes of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, any declarations to be made at the time of the debate. No such declarations were made by any Members on this occasion.

52. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 2 March 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

53. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman had none to make on this occasion.

54. DEPUTATIONS

No deputations had been notified.

55. RELEASE OF STRUCTURE PLAN RESERVE PROVISION

The Panel considered the report of the Hampshire Director of Environment, Portsmouth Strategic Director of Environment and Transport and Southampton Executive Director of Development and Sustainability (Item 5 in the Minute Book). Members generally accepted the conclusion of the report, endorsed by most of those consulted, that the supply of land for housing in the Hampshire area was more than sufficient to meet the regional planning guidance and that there was therefore no case at present for the release of any of the reserve provision. Members debated the need for affordable housing in the Hampshire area and the percentage of affordable housing which should be incorporated within larger developments, both private sector housing schemes and schemes on areas of land released by local authorities. The general feeling was that there was a balance to be struck between affordable housing, starter homes/flats/apartments, and housing suitable for families. The Panel endorsed paragraph 5.5 of the report - although there was a need for more affordable housing in Hampshire, the supplementary planning guidance stated that any shortfall in meeting affordable housing needs could not normally be a reason in itself for releasing any of the reserve housing provisions. The Panel asked for a report back in due course on affordable housing in terms of meeting the targets for housing set out in the regional planning guidance.

Other matters highlighted during discussion were the need to make progress on the housing within the major development areas at Andover, West of Waterlooville and also Aldershot urban extension, where so far no planning permissions had been granted; and the recent appeal decision at Barton Farm, Winchester where the inspector's comments merited close scrutiny.

RESOLVED:

1 That the points made by the consultees with relation to the structure plan reserve provision for housing be noted.


2 That no reserve sites be released at the present time.


3 That all local planning authorities be urged to continue to take proactive steps to manage housing land supply to meet or exceed their structure plan base line housing requirement and make provision for the reserve provision, where required.


4 That the officers be requested to write to all consultees to thank them for their comments, enclosing a copy of this report and its appendices and informing them of the recommendations made by the Panel to the three constituent authorities.

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