Decisions

To seek approval to the content of a consultation on the Draft Local Plan.

Local Planning Authorities are charged with producing a Local Plan to set out opportunities for development and clear policies on what will and will not be permitted via planning permission.  This report sets out the background to this consultation on the issues and options pertinent to the revision of the new Local Plan, and the test to be consulted upon, presented as a Special edition of Fareham Today.

This report explains that it is recommended that the consultation content be approved, before being designed into its final form and consulted upon, thus providing at least a 6-week opportunity for comments.  This will help inform the next stage of the Local Plan preparation process.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  approves the content of the consultation document on the Draft Local Plan, subject to:

(i)      the inclusion of the additional wording in the Question & Answer section, as tabled at Appendix A;

(ii)    the inclusion of the revised map illustrating areas of countryside, as tabled at Appendix B;

(iii)   acceptance of the Planning and Development Scrutiny Panel’s suggested amendments, as table at Appendix C, except for the suggested deletions on page 8 in respect of the successfully defended appeals and the suggested deletion on page 16 of the question that asks how a Council can cause new homes to be built beyond just giving planning permission; and

(iv)   the inclusion of a response, to be drafted by the Director of Planning and Regeneration, following consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Development, which answers the question referred to in point (iii) above; and

(b)  agrees that the Director of Planning and Regeneration be authorised to make any necessary minor amendments, following consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Development, provided these do not change their overall direction, shape or emphasis.

To provide the Executive with an update on the Housing Delivery Test, including an explanation of the figures recently announced, and a projection of anticipated results for the next five years.

The Housing Delivery Test (HDT) is a new measurement introduced under the revisions to the NPPF in 2018.  It is designed to ensure that new homes are built at a rate commensurate with the housing requirement.  The housing requirement is based on the figures within a Local Plan adopted in the past five years, or the standard methodology for calculating housing need.

The implications of the HDT places much greater emphasis on the granting of sufficient planning permissions to ensure that a sufficient number of homes are delivered on the ground.  The sanctions for not passing the HDT include losing the primacy of the Local Plan and complying with the presumption in favour of sustainable development.   They apply even in a situation where the Council can demonstrate a five-year housing land supply.

RESOLVED that, having considered the report on the Housing Delivery Test, the Executive recommends that the report be shared with the Planning Committee for information.

This represents an application for funding under the Council’s Community Fund Programme.

An application for community funding has been received from The Rockets Children’s Motorcycle Display Team for the sum of £15,000 towards a replacement lorry that will be used to transport the Team’s bikes to various shows that they attend across the country. 

The Rockets are a growing not-for-profit Community Interest Company.  They have an office in Titchfield and use land at Solent Airspace to train.  The Team currently has a membership of 18 young people, aged 7 to 17 years old, with an annual membership fee of £390 for the first year, then £200 for subsequent years. 

The organisation aims to support families by offering bike rental at £150 per year.  They also try to improve accessibility to the group by enabling monthly payments and arranging special reductions for those who are unable to fund the full amount.  The Rockets are committed to developing a Pricing Policy.

The Rockets encourages involvement in the Team by disabled young people, through the use of a specially adapted ‘mule’ buggy.

The lorry will be a 4 x 2 tractor unit with two axles, of up to 5 years of age, with a tandem black freight box trailer, plated to 30 tonnes.  The lorry would be fitted to the standard of Showman’s Guild (to include toilet, generator, living accommodation and running water) which provides benefits of access to a greater variety of shows and will cost £45,000 in total.  The Team currently has 2 members with HGV licences and are planning to increase this to 4. The organisation is committed to ensure that the tractor unit of the lorry will be maintained and serviced to a good standard, to ensure the longevity of the vehicle.

The Rockets have an arrangement with Crofton Manor Equestrian Centre that will enable them to park the lorry in their grounds.

Currently, the Team use an ageing lorry in addition to vans and trailers belonging to the families of their members to transport the bikes.  The existing lorry is no longer reliable, and the organisation is unable to attend many events due to the excessive parking requirements of their varied transport.

In addition to the value to its members, the Team last year provided displays at 2 Fareham based events; HMS Collingwood Show (which they attended at a reduced fee of £500 – normal fees up to £2,000 depending on size of event), and Park Gate Primary School (which they attended free of charge).  For 2019, they are booked to display at HMS Collingwood Show again, and the two days of the D Day 75 commemoration event free of charge.  They are committed to attending local festivals free of charge but this year this has not been possible due to the Rockets’ availability or their requirements for the show site. 

The Rockets also run approximately 4 ‘open access sessions’ through the year.  Last year this allowed 20 additional young people to try the activity free of charge.

The Rockets plan to fund the remaining £30,000 for the lorry from a £15,000 application to Hampshire County Council and £15,000 from the year’s paid bookings and merchandise sales.

Although the organisation will have no official accounts until September of this year, they have provided their balance sheet which lists a balance at the close of January of £4,109.06.

All Ward Councillors for both Titchfield and Stubbington Wards have been consulted.  Councillor Mrs Hockley and Councillor Forrest have both indicated their support.  No objections have been expressed by any of the Ward Councillors.

That the application for £15,000 from Fareham Borough Council’s Community Fund, submitted by The Rockets Childrens Motorcycle Display Team, be approved.

That the conditions of this award are;

• Evidence of the securing of matched funding from Hampshire County Council.
• The presentation of a Pricing Policy.
• The provision of a minimum of 1 free and 1 reduced price Fareham Borough-based displays per annum.
• The availability of a minimum of 2 subsidised places for young people to whom finances would be a barrier to participation.

A commitment to providing free activities to engage young people as part of the Council’s Access All Areas summer events.