Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors, T Davies, K A Barton, J E Butts and J S Forrest.

In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman Councillor P J Davies chaired the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 10 May 2019.

It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel held on the 10 May 2019 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman gave the following announcement –

Item 6 is giving us, the Panel, the opportunity to pre-scrutinise the Interim Nitrogen Mitigation Solution report. Any comments will be tabled at the Executive this coming Monday, the 02 September.

Officers will take Members through the report at Appendix A, summarising each heading in turn. Please avoid making any comments on specific development sites or existing planning applications as to do so may result in you being pre-determined and subsequently impact on your ability to vote or comment at future Planning Committee meetings.

To receive and declarations of interest from Members in accordance with the 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 received at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To receive a report from the Head of Stategic Planning and Regeneration on the Interim Nitrogen Mitigation Solution.

The Panel considered a report on the Interim Nitrogen Mitigation Solution which is to be delivered to the Executive on 02 September 2019.

The Director of Planning and Regeneration directed members attention to an update on this report which was tabled at the meeting (and attached as Appendix A to these minutes)

The Principal Planner (Strategy and Regeneration) took Members through the Executive report at Appendix A and, together with the Head of Development Management took questions from Members as they went along.

Members discussed this item at length, in particular the proposed mitigation measures listed at point 15 a)-f) where the Panel raised concerns in relation to the effectiveness of the potential package of mitigation measures, and expressed concern as to the Council’s ability to grant the level of planning consents the housing numbers needed to meet future Housing Delivery Tests.

RESOLVED that the Panel recommends to the Executive the following comments, when it considers this item at its meeting on 2 September 2019:-

(a)  the Panel raised concerns as to whether the proposed mitigation measures set out in the report (and the table item) would effectively provide the level to nitrate mitigation to new development recommended by Natural England; and

(b)  the Panel also raised concerns as to the Council’s ability to meet future Housing Delivery Test requirements in light of the continuing impact on the level of planning consents and hence housing completions.

To consider any items of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel, that falls under the remit of Planning and Development Portfolio. This will include any decisions taken by individual Members during the same time period.

The Panel consider the Executive items of business which fall under the remit of the Planning and Development portfolio, including individual Executive Member decisions, that have taken place since the last meeting of the Panel on 10 May 2019.

The Panel considered the decision shown at items 7 (1) an 7 (2).

RESOLVED that the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel considered the following item of Executive Business.

The Panel asked for an up date on the Outcome of the referendum.

The Panel were informed that the turnout for the referendum was 31%, with 363 voting no, and 241 voting yes.

No comments received.

To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Planning and Development Panel.

Members considered the Panels Scrutiny Priorities it was agreed that an item on Portchester and Fareham Regeneration Projects would be brought to a future meeting when it is appropriate.

RESOLVED that the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel considered the scrutiny priorities for the Panel.