Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P Davies and N Gregory.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 25 November 2021.

With reference to item 6 on the agenda of the previous minutes, members enquired whether there has been any response to the letters that the Council has sent to Central Government relating to the advice provided by Natural England in respect of recreational disturbance on the New Forest.  The Director of Planning and Regeneration confirmed that a response has recently been received and would be made available to all members of the Panel.

It was noted that on page 6 of the agenda pack, the final sentence of item 6 should read ‘The pragmatic solution that has been developed’, not ‘development’.

Subject to the amendment above, it was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 25 November 2021 be signed and confirmed as a correct record.

There were no announcements made by the Chairman.

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 received from Members of the Panel.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations received at this meeting.

To consider an update from the Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development on prevailing planning strategy matters.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor S D Martin, Executive Member for Planning and Development, addressed the Panel on this item.

The Panel received a presentation from the Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development on prevailing planning strategy matters, including the Local Plan examination, the latest Authority Monitoring report and Infrastructure Funding Statement 2020/21.  A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes as Appendix A.

There was a discussion about the number of environmental mitigation schemes affecting development in the Borough and concerns were expressed by some Panel Members about the impact of multiple schemes on the viability pf development and house prices.  The Director of Planning and Regeneration provided reassurance about the degree to which viability concerns are assessed at a plan making stage and can be taken into account in the setting of policy, for example affordable housing levels.  Councillor Martin addressed the Panel, at the invitation of the Chairman, and offered Panel Members the view that the need to find environmental mitigation solutions was both a product of the value of Fareham’s natural environment on a national scale, but also can result in the protection of more land for nature in perpetuity.

During the discussion on the Housing Delivery Test and the suggestion that empty properties should be included in its calculation, it was agreed that the Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development would investigate to see if it was possible to determine the number of empty properties across the Borough.

RESOLVED that the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel notes the contents of the presentation.

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.

There were no questions or comments for clarification in respect of this item.

With reference to the suggestion within the report of further survey evidence about the impact from residents of Fareham recreating in the New Forest, members enquired whether there had been any progress.  The Head of Planning Strategy and Economic Development confirmed that this was being taken forward.  

In response to discussion regarding whether the programme of tree work and felling from Ash Dieback will include provision for planting replacement trees, the Director of Planning and Regeneration confirmed appropriate opportunities for replanting will be undertaken as part of the programme of work, with the costs met from existing budgets.

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

Members of the Panel were invited to consider the Scrutiny Priorities for the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel.

In discussing the Scrutiny Priorities, it was confirmed that an item will be brought to the first meeting of the Panel in the new municipal year which will provide members with an update on Coastal Management work, including advice on prevailing sea level rise projections as previously requested by Councillor Walker.

In response to a request that an update be provided in respect of the Hampshire County Council funding bid to Central Government to help improve transport facilities, it was agreed that if an opportunity arises, an invitation will be issued to the County Council to attend and advise the Panel accordingly.

RESOLVED that the Panel considered the Scrutiny Priorities for the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel.