Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence given at this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2016.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Development Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on the 12 January 2016 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive an update from the Director of Planning and Regulation regarding a recent petition received on the regeneration of Portchester Shopping Village.

We the undersigned petition the council. Today we stand and ask the council to take action and ownership of Portchester Village in its growth for the future. Let us give back to the locals the variety of strong independent businesses it deserves. We ask that the council take a look at thriving villages like Wickham square and its development with large empty areas and converting them into small affordable retail units. If implemented in Portchester, this would open up opportunities to small business owners, sole traders & even kitchen table enterprises, bringing back variety & local interest not to mention heart into the community thus creating more employment opportunities & an increase in shoppers which will boost the very local economy.

Portchester is a small historic village that was once full of life with a number of strong independent businesses. Today it is surviving on what we believe to be absentee landlords that are renting to top name chain companies like betting shops or charity shops to fulfil their loss in earnings. This is causing our local village to be filled with a number of duplicate shops including nail & hair salons and now FIVE Charity Shops. The constant competition results in a loss of earning and closure after a short time.

The Panel received an update from the Director of Planning and Regulation regarding a recent petition received on the regeneration of Portchester Shopping Village.

At the invitation of the Panel Councillor R H Price JP addressed the Panel on this item.

Firstly we would like to thank those involved for submitting this petition.

In response we would like to explain that the Council has set up a series of Member Working Groups, one of which is focused on looking at the Regeneration of Portchester District Centre.  It is very opportune that the 187 signatories have raised a number of important issues in relation to Portchester, and this will help inform the work of the Member Working Group.  The Member Working Group, working with Officers, is tasked with formulating a vision for Portchester.  The Council also intend to consult the local community on this draft vision.

The Director of Planning and Regulation also confirmed to the Panel that the first informal Executive Member Working Group meeting to progress the regeneration proposals for Portchester District Centre was to be held shortly.

It was AGREED that, the Panel note the content of the petition.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation on a review of Conservation Services.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation on a review of Conservation Services within the Borough. 

The report was presented to the Panel by the Head of Development Management in the absence of the Conservation Planner. The Head of Development Management gave a detailed overview of the report, although the Panel agreed they would like to receive the presentation prepared by the Conservation Planner in person at a future meeting.

It was AGREED that, subject to a presentation on the recent Conservation Service caseload being given to a future meeting, the contents of the report be noted.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation which gives a final review of the 2015/16 work programme and draft 2016/17 work programme.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Regulation on the final review of the Panel’s work programme for 2015/16 and a draft work programme for 2016/17.

The Director of Planning and Regulation addressed the Panel to confirm that future Draft Conservation Areas Character Appraisals will be added to the work programme as unallocated items.

It was AGREED that: -

(a)  the review of the work programme for 2015/16, as shown in Appendices A and B to the report, be noted;

(b)  the proposed work programme for 2016/17, as shown in Appendix D of the report, be submitted to the Council for endorsement;

(c)  a presentation on recent Conservation Service caseload be presented to the Panel at the 17 May 2016 meeting; and

(d)  future Draft Conservation Area Character Appraisals be added to the work programme as unallocated items.