The Chair welcomed all Councillors back to the Eastleigh Local Area Committee and congratulated all those newly elected. He also congratulated Councillor Clarke on his position as Chair of Allbrook and North Boyatt Parish Council and noted that the Committee looked forward to working with the parish council.

Eastleigh Mela would take place on 22 July 2018, which was always a landmark event on the summer programme and a great and enjoyable event for the town.

Eastleigh Unwrapped was held last weekend which saw a number of successful events, provided by The Point, happen on the recreation ground. The event was well received and it was a real credit to The Point that they secured international artists to attend, with some great performances. There would be a number of upcoming events at The Point, along with music on the bandstand, as part of the ongoing summer programme.

The local plan consultations had started and in the Eastleigh area an exhibition would be held on 9 July 2018 at Eastleigh House and on 23 July 2018 at Crestwood School. 

The new building at Lakeside Country Park had just won the Green Apple environmental award. The Chair noted that this was a great achievement and a lot of work and effort had been put in.

Places Leisure Eastleigh had also won an award for the best large commercial building at the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) UK awards. This was really positive for the Borough.

There would be an Eastleigh Remembers event on 15 September 2018 which would commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War – this would also see the opening of the new war memorial which work would start on in the near future.

Ted White addressed the Committee on behalf of the Eastleigh Labour Party and congratulated the newly elected councillors for Eastleigh Central, North and South.

Jill Payne also congratulated all members of the new Council and addressed the Committee regarding a number of issues. Ms Payne advised that she had not received a response to her questions raised at the previous Committee. She reiterated the points raised regarding the levels of poverty in the community and ongoing reductions and freezes and benefits, as well as the abolition of some social funds, including Community Care Grants and housing loans and the impact on local residents. She asked whether the Council thought it had a role to monitor this, in particular due to the long term costs of the effects on residents. In addition, she noted the increased use of the private rental market to provide housing to many families on a low income. Ms Payne asked for an update as to whether there would be more resource so that the Council could proactively regulate the quality of private rentals, including basic Health and Safety, through household accreditation schemes.

The Chair advised that responses had been sent to the previous questions raised at Committee in March 2018 however these would be hand-delivered again to ensure they were received. He advised that the questions asked would be best directed to full Council, as the local area committee does not get directly involved in some aspects and therefore Council would be able to provide a wider response. He noted that the council would be looking at the increase to resources to monitor private landlords.

Josh Constable addressed the Committee regarding the recent decision made at Administration Committee for Councillors to receive an 8% pay rise, whilst staff of Eastleigh Borough Council only received a 2% increase. He asked if the Council were not able to provide a similar increase for its staff, whether Councillors could forgo a pay rise or instead, agree to have the same 2% increase as recommended for employees.

The Chair advised that this would be debated at full Council, as it was a recommendation from the Administration Committee and would not be formally agreed until it had been debated.

Simon Payne addressed the Committee regarding a number of issues. He asked for an update regarding the Experimental Traffic Order on the Lakeside estate and whether the highway had been adopted, as some of the double yellow lines did not appear to be implemented.  He also raised concerns about parking issues at the top of Nightingale Avenue, which included cars parking on the pavement and preventing access. He felt that this needed to be addressed. In addition, on Chestnut Avenue there had recently been signs which advertised works from August 2018 until Spring 2019. However, there was no additional information on the Stoneham Development site about these works or online. There were recent issues when works were undertaken on Passfield Avenue and Councillors and residents were not informed. He also asked whether the Air Quality tube data on the Council’s website would be updated, as the most recent data was from February 2018.

The Chair advised that he had not had any complaints from residents at Lakeside since the Traffic Order had been put in place. The road had not yet been adopted however the lines were enforceable.

In relation to the pavement parking on Nightingale Avenue, Eastleigh Borough Council has no jurisdiction over this and it was a police matter, even when parking restrictions were in place. If it causes an obstruction, it could only be dealt with at the time and not retrospectively so he would advise that residents contact the police in the appropriate way when this occurred. However, he could not speak on behalf the police as to whether they would be able to take any action or not. He advised that Nightingale Avenue would be looked at in the future as a whole estate, as putting restrictions on part of the road would just move the issues. He noted that this was a main bus route and the Council had not had any issues raised by the bus companies regarding being unable to get their vehicles through.

With regard to the works on Chestnut Avenue, the Chair had been closely liaising with the Project Manager for the Stoneham development (Highwood) as well as Durkin to find out more information about the closures and look at the best way to minimise any disruption for the closures and manage the traffic. Some of the works were being completed by SSE to increase grid capacity in Eastleigh and these works had been planned since 2008 as it was a large project.

The Chair advised he would find out the information regarding the Air Quality tube data and inform Mr Payne when this would be updated.

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2018.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2018 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest in relation to items of business on the agenda.

Development Management staff gave a short presentation on guidelines that had to be taken into account when determining planning applications; in particular the issues that could, and could not, be taken into account.  This was set against the broader policy framework.

Construction of a 6 storey hotel comprising 153 rooms including a bar, restaurant and café use, conference facilities, leisure club (gym and swimming pool) and a business hub with associated ancillary facilities. New access off Bournemouth Road, 241 parking spaces, 31 cycle spaces and landscaping including new tree planting. (Departure Application) – (Ref: F/18/82275)

The Committee considered the report of the Lead Specialist for Housing and Development (formerly Head of Development Management) (Agenda Item 7) concerning the application for construction of a 6 storey hotel comprising 153 rooms including a bar, restaurant and café use, conference facilities, leisure club (gym and swimming pool) and a business hub with associated ancillary facilities, new access off Bournemouth Road, 241 parking spaces, 31 cycle spaces and landscaping including new tree planting. (Ref: F/18/82275)

The Committee was advised that there had been a further objection from CPRE to the loss of countryside and Strategic Gap land contrary to local plan policy and that it may prejudice possible Southampton green belt and that there had also been an amendment to Condition 3.

RESOLVED –

That the decision to PERMIT the development be delegated to the Lead Specialist of Housing and Development in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair and Ward Councillors subject to;

(1)  Consideration of outstanding consultation responses in respect of sustainable drainage and aviation safety (and any resultant condition amendments);

(2)  The completion of a Section 106 legal agreement as detailed in the report in respect of transport mitigation, on site public art, air quality monitoring and mitigation and Traffic Road Order;

(3)  The recommended conditions and reasons;

(4)  An amendment to Condition 3 as follows – “Within 3 months of the commencement of development the following details shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority:

a)  Hard landscaping and external surfaces, including their colour and texture

b)  Retaining structures

c)  Parking space delineation

d)  Motorcycle and disabled parking

e)  Crime prevention measures

f)  Boundary treatments

g)  Final external lighting works, to include any architectural lighting effects

h)  any roof plant and other materials to be placed on the building roof

i)  electric vehicle charging provisions

The development shall not be occupied until the following provisions have been made in accordance with the approved plans and details only and these provisions shall subsequently be maintained and retained thereafter.  Reason: to ensure compliance with Policies 25.NC and 59.BE of the Eastleigh Borough Local Plan”; and

(5)  The necessary post committee imposition/amendment of the wording for any conditions.

(NOTES: a) Three members of the public spoke in objection to the application citing concerns regarding the impact on the strategic gap between Eastleigh and Southampton, removal of green space and impact on protected species on site; b) the Director of Acquisitions at Village Hotels and the agent spoke in support of the applicant; and c) Councillor Mann advised that he was an employee of Asda which was a neighbour of the site and the legal representative advised he was still able to take part in the vote and debate.)

Change of use from Sui Generis to A1 (phone and laptop repair shop) – (Ref: F/18/82854)

The Committee considered the report of the Lead Specialist for Housing and Development (formerly Head of Development Management) (Agenda Item 8) concerning an application for change of use from Sui Generis to A1. (Ref: F/18/82854)

The Committee were advised that there were no further updates.

RESOLVED –

That the application be PERMITTED subject to the recommended conditions.

The Legal Services Manager to report:-

(a)  that the following appeal has been lodged:-

12 Friars Road – Appeal against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for the erection of 2no. 2 bed semi-detached dwellings with parking to the rear of 10, 10a, 12 Friars Road. (Ref F/17/80840)

This was a Delegated Decision.

(b)  that the following appeal has been dismissed:-

12 Chartwell Close, Eastleigh – Appeal against the Council’s refusal for the erection of a detached garage. (Ref H/17/81550)

This was a Delegated Decision.

The Legal Services Manager reported:-

(a)  that the following appeal had been lodged:-

12 Friars Road – Appeal against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for the erection of 2no. 2 bed semi-detached dwellings with parking to the rear of 10, 10a, 12 Friars Road. (Ref F/17/80840)

This was a Delegated Decision.

(b)  that the following appeal had been dismissed:-

12 Chartwell Close, Eastleigh – Appeal against the Council’s refusal for the erection of a detached garage. (Ref H/17/81550)

This was a Delegated Decision.

RESOLVED -

That the report be noted.

Consideration was given to the report of the Local Area Manager (Agenda Item 10) that contained recommendations for expenditure from the Committee’s capital and revenue budget.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the allocation of up to £10,000, previously allocated from developers’ contributions, for a mobile PA system for outside events in the town centre from the Leigh Road Recreation Ground reserve be approved;

(2)  That the allocation of £10,000 from developers’ contributions for litter bin provision be approved;

(3)  That the allocation of £3,500 from developers’ contributions for replacement gates and earth bunds at Free Space skate park be approved; and

(4)  That the allocation of £2,000 from the revenue reserve for the summer Park Sport programme be approved.

Age Concern, Eastleigh – 2018/19 nomination Councillor T Campbell

Asian Elders, Culture and Welfare Organisation – 2018/19 nomination Councillor T Campbell

Barton Peveril/Eastleigh College Liaison Group – 2018/19 nomination Councillors A Bourne and R Reynolds

Lakeside Country Park Users Group – 2018/19 nomination Councillor P Bicknell and Councillor T Campbell (deputy)

Pavilion on the Park – 2018/19 nomination Councillors W Irish and A Bourne

The Hub – 2018/19 nomination Councillors R Reynolds and J Doguie

University of Southampton (Wide Lane Sports Facilities – Users Advisory Group) – 2018/19 nomination Councillor J Doguie

RESOLVED –

That appointments to outside bodies for 2018/19 be as follows:

Age Concern, Eastleigh
- Councillor Campbell

Asian Elders, Culture and Welfare Organisation
- Councillor Campbell

Barton Peveril/Eastleigh College Liaison Group
- Councillors Bourne and Reynolds

Lakeside County Park Users Group
- Councillor Bicknell
- Councillor Campbell (Deputy)

Pavilion on the Park
- Councillors Bourne and Irish

The Hub
- Councillors Doguie and Reynolds

University of Southampton (Wide Lane Sports Facilities – Users Advisory Group)
- Councillor Doguie

Eastleigh Borough Council/Test Valley Liaison Group – 2018/19 nomination Councillor W Irish

Shopwatch – 2018/19 nomination Councillor S Tyson-Payne

Eastleigh Museum Joint Management Committee – 2018/19 nomination Councillors W Irish, R Reynolds and P Bicknell

Regulatory Panel – all members of the Committee to be appointed to a pool for all licensing appeals from which any three can be selected.

RESOLVED –

That appointments for 2018/19 be made as follows:

(a)  Eastleigh Borough Council/Test Valley Liaison Group – Councillor Irish

(b)  Shop Watch – Councillor Tyson-Payne

(c)  Eastleigh Museum Joint Management Committee – Councillors Bicknell, Irish and Reynolds

(d)  Regulatory Panel – That all Members of the Committee be appointed to serve on the Local Area Regulatory Panel, as a ‘pool’ from which three Members could be called upon as required