Open Session:

There were two members of the public present.

Present:

Cllr N R G Clarke (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr Mrs B Charlton (arrived at 2.15pm)
Cllr D E Cracknell
Cllr M F J Daly
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr N C Wood

In Attendance:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk

P/4252 Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr D R Cole.

P/4253 Declarations of Interest

There were none.

P/4254 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 14th October 2005, having been circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

With the agreement of the Committee, planning application number 86214 was considered next for the benefit of the members of public present (see Annex `A' for observation) - (on the PDF version).

P/4255 Bus Shelter

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that she had received no requests from members of the public to replace the bus shelter in Southampton Road, Poulner. However, she had obtained a quotation for a two bay cantilever flat roof shelter in aluminium, with a perch seat and anti-graffiti coating for £1,703.

Members agreed that the bus shelter on this site had always been a problem and were minded not to replace it at this stage. However, it was suggested that Adshel, the company that maintains the bus shelters in Meeting House Lane, could be approached to see if it would be prepared to provide a shelter in this location.

RESOLVED: That The Deputy Town Clerk contact Adshel with regard to the possible provision of a bus shelter in Southampton Road, Poulner.

P/4256 Appeals to the First Secretary of State

i) Mr S Deedman

It was noted that Mr Deedman had lodged an Appeal against New Forest District Council's decision to refuse the application for proposed first floor extension and use both floors as offices at the store on land to the rear of 13/15 Christchurch Road (Planning Application Number 83960 refers). The Town Council had recommended that this application be granted permission.

ii) Mr & Mrs Humberstone

It was noted that Mr & Mrs Humberstone had lodged an Appeal against New Forest District Council's decision to refuse the application for proposed single storey extension at 1 Greenfinch Walk, Hightown. The Town Council had recommended that this application be refused and had submitted the following observations:

"There has been some improvement, however we feel that our previous objections to application number 82218 are still justified, i.e. overdevelopment; out of keeping with existing layout of estate; loss of amenity due to positioning and bulk of proposed extension; would create a precedent for further piecemeal development which would change the character of the estate.".

RESOLVED: That the Town Council make no further comments on the Appeals by Mr Deedman and Mr & Mrs Humberstone.

Cllr Mrs Charlton joined the meeting at 2.15pm.

P/4257 Proposed Weight Limit in the Downton/Redlynch and New Forest Area

Members noted that Wiltshire and Hampshire County Councils were currently investigating the possibility of introducing a 7.5 tonne "except for access" weight restriction in the Downton/Redlynch area and a section of the New Forest, in order to minimise the impact of HGVs on settlements located along the B3078, B3079 and B3080.

RESOLVED: That there was no objection to the principle of the proposal to introduce a 7.5 tonne "except for access" weight restriction in the Downton/Redlynch area and a section of the New Forest.

P/4258 Proposed Extinguishment of Ringwood Footpath No. 44

It was noted that Hampshire County Council had received an application to extinguish Footpath No. 44, which runs parallel to the newly created Bridleway No. 509, alongside Hightown Lake. A copy of a letter had been received from the Open Spaces Society, which expressed the view that lakesides are a great attraction to walkers and that the choice should remain available for walkers to use the lakeside section of path.

However, members noted that the footpath did not appear to have been used for some time and that it was virtually inaccessible due to the amount of overgrowth.

RESOLVED: That the application to extinguish Footpath No. 44 be supported.

P/4259 Planning applications Considered

Planning applications in respect of the weeks ending 11th, 18th and 25th October were considered. There were no applications received for period ending 1st November 2005.

RESOLVED: That the observations as shown in Annex `A' be submitted. (on the PDF version).

P/4260  Urgent Business

i) Appeal by Mr N Long

It was noted that Mr N Long had lodged an Appeal with the First Secretary of State against New Forest District Council's decision to refuse an application for proposed front entrance gates and raise height of front wall at 131A Southampton Road (Planning Application Number 85086 refers). The Town Council had recommended that this application be granted permission.

RESOLVED: That the Town Council make no further comments on the Appeal by Mr N Long.

ii) Minerals and Waste Development Framework

It was noted that a response had been submitted to the consultation document on the Minerals and Waste Development Framework ­ Strategy ­ Issues and Preferred Option. A copy was available in the office for members to view.

RESOLVED: That this information be noted.

iii) Decriminalised Parking Enforcement

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that the District Council was in the process of ensuring that all parking restrictions marked on the ground accurately reflect the traffic regulation Orders held by the Council and the Police. As a result of this, the Council was making `various roads' Orders to rectify discrepancies before the introduction of decriminalised parking.

RESOLVED: That there was no objection to the proposed Order relating to waiting restrictions and street parking places on various roads in Ringwood.