Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the REGULATORY COMMITTEE of the HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 26 November 2008.

PRESENT:

Chairman:

p Councillor R.C. McIntosh

Vice-Chairman

p Councillor I.F.E. Beagley

Councillors:

Councillor M. Kemp-Gee attended for the item referred to in Minute 291.

286 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D. Gillett.

287 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code. The declaration should be made at the time of the relevant debate

288 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 October 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the resolution in Minute 285 - footpath at Bridgemary School, Gosport, being amended to refer to an "Extinguishment Order" instead of a Distinguishment Order..

289 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman asked Members to volunteer for a small informal working group to consider issues which had arisen on site visits and possible changes to procedures.

290 DEPUTATIONS

Members were reminded that they had approved a scheme which involved the suspension of Standing Order 21 to allow Members to ask questions of deputees for clarification of facts on an agenda item. Questions from Committee Members would be asked through the Chairman, who might seek the advice of the Committee's legal and other advisers as appropriate. The Chairman's decision on a question would be final. Local Members who requested to speak at the Committee might also be asked questions. The deputations at the meeting had been notified of these arrangements.

291 IMPORTATION OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS BY TRAILER AND DISCHARGE TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY INVOLVING THE SETTING OUT OF A TRAILER DISCHARGE AREA WITHIN WESTON COMMON WELLSITE, THE AVENUE, LASHAM (APPLICATION NO: BDB/67621)
(COUNTY COUNCIL REF: BA057)
(DECISION REFERENCE 390)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on this application, which was deferred for further information at their meeting on 25 June 2008. It was reported that the applicants, Star Energy, had offered a £10,000 contribution towards highway works, and the recommendations would therefore need to be amended to make any planning permission subject to the completion of the necessary legal agreement.

The Head of Planning and Development reported that the proposals had been approved by West Sussex County Council so far as their responsibilities were concerned. Further consultation with communities along the proposed route had resulted in objections submitted by parishes at Langrish, Farringdon, Shalden and Lasham, together with concerns expressed by Alton Town Council on highway grounds. It was reported that the application would generate 12 traffic movements a day, 6 in and 6 out; a risk assessment showed that the dangers of explosion or combustion were minimal, and the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services were satisfied with the safety aspects of the development proposals and transportation arrangements proposed. Further investigations had revealed that a temporary planning permission at Weston Common would not be financially viable; and it was not practicable to use the gas to generate electricity at its point of origin, Singleton, as there was no connection to the National Grid and it would not be financially viable to provide one there.

Councillor M. Kemp-Gee attended and spoke as one of the local Members and also as one of the Liaison Panel Members for Humbly Grove Oilfield. He referred to increasing development pressure on the Avenue area as a result of increased activity at Lasham Airfield; to the lorry traffic to carry oil from the wells to the terminal at Holybourne for a temporary period whilst the pipeline was repaired; and to the objections from local councils along the route; and he suggested a temporary planning permission as a way forward. A letter was circulated from the Avenue Residents Association expressing their concerns to the Committee, as their representatives were unable to attend the meeting.

During the course of discussion Members suggested that the time limit on lorries referred to in Condition 6 should refer to the hours of 7 am and 10 pm, so that it accorded with the time limit on noise referred to in Condition 3. Several Members were concerned at the increased use of road A339 which was busy, had numerous bends and junctions, and had a poor safety record. They considered that highway safety on A339 might be compromised by the gas tankers turning right into the Avenue, and suggested that possible alternative routes via B3349 Old Odiham Road with a left turn at the Golden Pot junction be investigated. They therefore asked for a lorry routeing plan to be discussed between the applicants and the Highway Authority taking this possibility into account. On balance, Members of the Committee were of the view that the modest numbers of tanker movements did not pose a significant risk to highway safety or to local communities along the proposed route; they were satisfied that the type of tanker vehicles to be used had a good safety record and would, in any event, be subject to rigorous health and safety inspection.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the completion of a legal agreement to provide a highway contribution, planning permission in respect of the importation of compressed natural gas by trailer and discharge to generate electricity involving the setting out of a trailer discharge area at Weston Common Wellsite, The Avenue Lasham (BDB67621) (County Council ref: BA057) be granted for the reason set out in the report and subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1, with the following amendment:

· Condition 6 to read :

Lorries associated with the importation of gas shall only enter or leave the site between the hours of 0700 and 2200.


Voting: 14 in favour, none against.

292 CONVERSION OF EXISTING FARM BUILDINGS TO CREATE NEW VISITORS' CENTRE, MUSEUM AND EDUCATION FACILITIES; REMOVAL OF MODERN LEAN-TO OUTSHOT AND ALTERATIONS TO EXISTING BUILDINGS; CREATION OF NEW ACCESSIBLE WC AND ENTRANCE RAMP TO MUSEUM ON THE BASING HOUSE SITE AT BASING HOUSE AND GRANGE FARM, THE STREET, OLD BASING, NEAR BASINGSTOKE (APPLICATION NOS: BDB/69385 (FOR LISTED BUILDING CONSENT) AND BDB/69386)
(COUNTY COUNCIL REF: BAG005)
(DECISION REFERENCE 350)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development (Item 7 in the Minute Book) in respect of the planning permission and listed building consent being sought at Basingstoke House and Grange Farm, Old Basing. Consideration of this item had been deferred for further information by the Committee at their meeting on 15 October 2008.

Councillor B.T. Gurden declared a personal interest as he was a Member of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council for South East England.

Mr. and Mrs. A. Renwick made a deputation on several aspects of the proposed development, notably privacy and overlooking; noise; access routes; the road crossing; and highway safety.

Mr. David Stevens made a deputation on several aspects, mainly privacy and overlooking, noise and intrusion.

Mrs. Sally Bashford made a deputation on aspects of the development, mainly highway safety, traffic, road crossing arrangements, and the need for improved liaison with local residents and neighbours.

Peter James from the Museums Service, and Yinnon Ezra, Director of Recreation and Heritage, made a deputation drawing attention to the work carried out to evaluate possible alternative access and entrance routes to Basing House, staffing and site management, and the efforts made by the Museums Service to find solutions which would minimise the impact on local residents and neighbours.

Standing Order 21 was suspended to allow questions of clarification to be asked of the deputees.

Members of the Committee had visited the site on 10 November and had viewed the proposed access routes to Grange Farm, the link from there to the main entrance at Basing House at Garrison Gate, involving a crossing point for the Street. They were aware of the potential problems arising from noise, both from visitors and from any special events which might be held. They had seen the relationship between the County Council's site at Grange Farm/Basing House and the neighbouring properties, and the impact that increased visitor numbers might have on local amenities, highway safety and on neighbours.

The attention of Committee Members was drawn to letters of representation on various aspects which had been received from Mr. Colin M. Cook; from the local Member, Councillor Mrs E. Still; 3 letters from local residents; and another 23 letters from a variety of historical societies.

During discussion Members considered that there should be a specific condition to ensure that any lighting provided was used only when the site was open. They considered that the intensification of visitor access to the sites would be gradual over the next 5 years, and there would be opportunity to investigate further the practicality of an alternative access route and entrance to Basing House which might relieve any pressure on Garrison Gate. They noted the efforts already made by the Museums Service to involve the local community, but considered there was scope for a liaison panel to guide implementation of the proposals with a view to keeping local residents and neighbours involved and informed. On balance, Members' view was that Grange Farm and Basing House were sites of such national historical significance that they deserved better access, presentation and interpretation which the proposals would provide. Most Members felt that the benefits of the application outweighed the disadvantages, and noted the adjustments made in an attempt to mitigate any adverse impact on adjoining properties.

In response to questions, it was reported that the Granary at Grange Farm (owned by the County Council although located within the private curtilage of Grange Farmhouse) was an original Eighteenth Century building which had Listed status, and had been in its present location since at least the 1870s. It was not a practical or desirable proposition to attempt to move it, as this would result in its losing its Listed status. The presence of the Granary was the main factor in determining the layout of wall and fencing which would demarcate the boundary between Grange Farmhouse and the remainder of the Grange Farm complex.

The Committee considered all the issues raised by correspondents, the views expressed by the deputations and the evidence from the site visit. They therefore, for the reasons given in the report of the Head of Planning and Development,

RESOLVED:

(i) That planning permission in respect of conversion of existing farm buildings to create a new visitors centre, museum and education facilities, removal of modern lean-to outshot and alterations to existing buildings, creation of a new accessible wc and entrance to museum at Grange Farm and Basing House, The Street, Old Basing, Near Basingstoke, (BDB/69386) (County Council Ref. BAG005) be granted for the reasons set out in the report and subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1, with an additional condition that any external lighting should be used only when the site is open.


(ii) That the Secretary of State be recommended to grant Listed Building Consent for the above works (BDB/69385) with the conditions set out in Appendix 1 as amplified by the additional condition on lighting.


(iii) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Director of Recreation and Heritage and the Executive Member for Recreation, Heritage and Communities:


· That a Liaison Panel for Grange Farm/Basing House be established to guide the implementation of the proposals, to involve County Councillors, the Museums Service, representatives of local residents and neighbours.


· That further consideration be given to the feasibility of an alternative access route to Basing House from Grange Farm.


Voting: 9 in favour, 3 against, 2 abstaining.

At this point Councillor James left the meeting.

293 CHANGE OF USE OF EXISTING INDUSTRIAL BUILDING TO A MATERIALS RECYCLING FACILITY WITH SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS TO SERVICE YARD, SITE ACCESS AND ENTRANCE TO BUILDING AND PROVISION OF NEW WEIGHBRIDGES, FUEL TANK AND LANDSCAPING AT HOUNSDOWN BUSINESS PARK, TOTTON (APPLICATION NO. 08/92603)
(COUNTY COUNCIL REF: NF257)
(DECISION REFERENCE 391)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development (Item 8 in the Minute Book) in respect of the proposed change of use of premises at Hounsdown Business Park, Totton. A revised schedule of 12 conditions was circulated (Item 8(x) in the Minute Book). It was reported that a letter of objection had been received from the owners/occupiers of the adjoining office block.

Mr. Jonathan Wagstaff, supported by Mark Oakley and Joanne Collins, made a deputation on behalf of Garmin Europe Limited, the occupiers of the adjoining warehouse unit, opposing the application on policy, environmental and traffic grounds. Mr. C. Herbert (SLR Consulting) and Mr. Kevin Thomas (SCA Recycling) made a deputation in favour of the application which in their view would not have a significant impact on the environment of the area or on the local highway network.

Standing Order 21 was suspended to allow questions of clarification to be asked of the deputees.


It was reported that the applicants were prepared to offer a contribution towards highway works, which would be secured through a legal agreement.

In discussing the application, Members suggested that measures should be taken to mitigate the noise impact of lorry reversing bleep devices, and that there should be a requirement to keep the site and access roads clear of any stray litter which might emanate from the lorries or the activities carried out within the building. These could both be made the subject of appropriate conditions. On balance Members considered that the application was in accordance with policy, would not have any undue impact on the road network and was well clear of any nearby residential properties.

The Committee, having considered all the issues raised, and the views expressed by the deputations and, for the reasons given in the report of the Head of Planning and Development,

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the completion of a legal agreement to secure a contribution towards highway works, planning permission in respect of the change of use of existing industrial building to provide a Materials Recycling Facility with subsequent amendments to service yard, site access and entrance to building and the provision of new weighbridges, fuel tank and landscaping at Hounsdown Business Park, Totton, (08/92603) (County Council Ref. NF257) be granted for the reasons set out in the report and subject to the revised conditions set out in the updated Schedule (Item 8(x)) with additional conditions to cover:

· Noise arising from lorry reversing bleeping devices


· The requirement to keep the site and access roads clear of litter.


Voting: 13 in favour, none against.

294 APPLICATION FOR A PUBLIC PATH DIVERSION ORDER FOR PART OF FOOTPATH NO. 12 IN THE PARISH OF LONG SUTTON

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the proposal to divert this footpath in the vicinity of Lord Wandsworth College, Long Sutton.

Whilst the Committee were content with the diverted alignment of the footpath from Point F to Point E shown on the plan, they were not satisfied with the proposal to provide a permissive footpath for 10 years from Points 1 to 2. In their view there would be merit in exploring with the applicants the possibility of the latter section of footpath being dedicated as well as part of the diversion proposals.



RESOLVED:

That consideration of the proposed diversion of public footpath no. 12, Long Sutton, be deferred in order for discussions to take place with the applicants on the possibility of the Section 1 to 2 on the plan being dedicated as well as the Section F to E.

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