Minutes 15th June 2009

PRESENT

Chairman: Cllr Mr A Manship
Councillors: Mr J Chapman, Mrs J Chase, Mrs T Meads, Mr R Page, Mrs P Sharpe, Mr G Tull (arrived part-way through public comments)

IN ATTENDANCE

County Councillor: Mr P Mason
Clerk: Mrs E Manship

77/09 APOLOGIES

District Councillors: Mr R Humby & Mr L Ruffell

78/09 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS

Cllr Chapman declared a personal interest as a neighbour to both agenda items

96/09 PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

a) HCC/2009/0149

 

Mrs Chapman stated that she opposed the application. The business establishing itself at the site was an absolute eye saw across the field. She was extremely concerned it would only lead to future industrial development.

 

Mr Chapman, representing a number of residents that live on the corner of Thompsons Lane and Hurst Lane stated: -

• There is no evidence to support the need for a change of use from agriculture
  the local residents protest strongly
  
  
• it is a very rural area so not evident why there is justification for a change of use.
  
  
• It is a very narrow lane, now supporting 38 tonne lorries etc. carrying road materials to the site. The local infrastructure cannot support this.
  
  
• The lorries, queuing at the end of the day to return to the site are blocking the road to through traffic. A notice has been placed stating ‘beware of the lorries’!
  
  
• The residents, with the Parish Council and Cllr Mason, are seeking to reduce the traffic speed in the area owing to the danger to residents and local children.
  
  
• The HGV’s increase the danger to pedestrians.
  
  
• The papers state that the site is not visible. This is incorrect. The site is very visible and an eye saw from Hurst Lane.
  
  
• The site is close to residential development
  
  
• There is a noticeable increase in noise during the working day.
  
  
• This is a rural area, designated within the South Downs National Park
  
  
• Unable to understand how this development has happened.
  
  
• Planning process has been ignored.
  
  
• This must not reflect in the ultimate decision.

Cllr Tull joined the meeting.

Mr Schofield, Landowner stated that he ran a small ground works business.

 

Marwell Zoo offered to sell him the land as he had outgrown his North Boarhunt site where he had operated for 9 years.

 

He contacted WCC and was informed in December 2008 that he could run a ground works business from the site without further planning permissions.

 

He is renting the site to Essex Utilities in order to recoup some of the money he paid out for the site.

 

He stated that he only wants the planning permission for 3 years, he will then be asking Essex Utilities to leave the site.

 

However, HCC Planning had advised him to apply for permanent permission.

 

He appreciated the Parish Council objected to the application but would like to work with the Parish Council to find a compromise.

Questions from Councillors to Mr Schofield: -

Cllr Page asked Mr Schofield about the translucent green netting covering the yellow pipes, presumably to reduce the impact – Mr Schofield confirmed the netting was designed to reduce the impact of the yellow pipes but appreciated it was not satisfactory

Cllr Meads asked Mr Schofield whether he envisaged the land would become contaminated. Mr Schofield replied ‘no, but if it was it would be cleared up’

Mr Schofield was asked about the HGV’s parking up at the end of the day. Mr Schofield confirmed there were 4 to 5 lorries that returned at the end of the day

Mr Schofield was asked whether he intended to build the 2 new barns granted under the most recent planning application to the site. Mr Schofield confirmed no, not at this moment in time.

Mr Schofield confirmed he did not seek planning permission specifically for the portacabins

 

Mr Schofield confirmed he did not approach planning with regard to hard surfacing prior to increasing the width of the entrance

The session was closed to the Public.

97/09 COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT

Councillor Mason confirmed that he would be forwarding his own comments to Wendy Agombar, Development Control Officer, HCC, further to this meeting and the response from Cllr Thornber to the Council’s letter.

97/09 PLANNING

a) Planning Applications

 

Application No:	HCC/2009/0149 & 09/01046/HCS
Location:	Marwell Yard, Thompsons Lane, Owslebury. Winchester. O21 1JH
Proposal:	Change of use from agricultural storage to use of land for storage and transfer of waste material associated with gas utility works and ancillary storage of plant, equipment and materials associated with a general construction and civil engineering business
Closing Date WCC:	02/07/09
Closing Date OPC:	13/06/09 at 6pm

Councillor Comments: -

• Traffic is an issue – The Parish Council is actively seeking traffic calming / reduction levels in Hurst Lane
  
  
• The site was a field a year ago and now it is a heavy industrial site
  
  
• Mr Schofield should be compensated by WCC for their incorrect information regarding planning permissions required / not required for the site. The Parish should not have to pay the price for incorrect information given
  
  
• The road has been widened by the work recently carried out
  
  
• In the worm farm application the applicant was told they could not cut the trees
  
  
• It was believed that the car park for the Education Centre was refused owing to dormice on the site which are a protected species
  
  

Councillor Decision – OPC objects to the application.

The Clerk was asked to forward the above comments, plus the comments from Planning Aid, to HCC. In addition, full information should be forwarded to Cllr Oaten requesting support.

b) Possible Enforcement Issue – Marwell Activity Centre

The Clerk confirmed that she had spoken with the Planning Department regarding the conditions placed on Marwell Activity Centre with regard to their restaurant / café and could confirm that they do not have permission to advertise for Sunday Lunch stating that the children can use the facilities free.

 

Purchasers of Sunday Lunch may not have children with them, or they may not wish to use the activities.

 

The restaurant / café is only there for the benefit of those using the activities.

 

The Council felt that Marwell Activity Centre should be reported to Enforcement to prevent this becoming out of hand.

93/09 DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The next Parish Council general meeting will be held on Monday 10th July 2009 at 7.45pm

The meeting closed at 9.15pm