Open Session:

There were several members of the public present. (see attached notes).

Present:

Cllr B H Terry (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr Mrs B Charlton
Cllr D R Cole

In Attendance:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk

P/4213 Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr N Clarke, Cllr, D E Cracknell, Cllr M F J Daly and Cllr N C Wood.

P/4214 Declarations of Interest

There were none.

P/4215 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 24th June 2005, having been circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

P/4216 Planning Appeal

Members noted that Ambassador Pools & Leisure Ltd had lodged an Appeal with the First Secretary of State against New Forest District Council's refusal to grant a Certificate of Lawfulness of existing use for use of the premises at 3-5 Wessex Road during the hours of 1300 hours to 1700 hours on Saturdays. It was noted that the Council had supported this planning application. However, if members wished to make further comments, these should be confined to matters of fact regarding use of the site.

RESOLVED: That, as there was no factual information available, the Town Council make no further comments on the Appeal by Ambassador Pools and Leisure Ltd.

P/4217 Minerals and Waste Development Framework: Draft Statement of Community Involvement

Members considered the Draft Statement of Community Involvement, as part of the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework, together with a response drafted by the Deputy Town Clerk (Annex `A')

RESOLVED: That the response to the Draft Statement of Community Involvement, as drafted by the Deputy Town Clerk, be approved.

P/4218 Traffic Management

Members considered draft notes of an Informal Local Members' Liaison Meeting held on 20th July 2005 to discuss traffic management issues (Annex `B').

It was noted that the greatest cluster of accidents shown on the road casualty map was at the junction of West Street and the A31. Cllr Terry was concerned that, with the 2012 Olympic sailing events being held in the Weymouth area, this could result in the A31 becoming gridlocked. It was noted that, according to the local press, members of Dorset County Council had also highlighted this as a concern.

Members therefore discussed the possibility of joining with other authorities to lobby for improvements to the A31 in preparation for the 2012 Olympics, in particular road widening, improving the west bound releases from Ringwood and re-introduction of the Ringwood distributor road between the A31 and Christchurch Road.

With regard to the Charter Market, Cllr Mrs Charlton reported that the Chamber of Trade & Commerce was talking to Mr Morant about the possibility of turning the stalls to face the pavement and about the traders' vehicles, which should not be parked beside the stalls.

It was therefore agreed that any discussions with Mr Morant should involve a representative of the Chamber of Trade & Commerce. It was also noted that the Town Clerk was still trying to obtain a legal opinion from either the District or County Council on the validity of the Charter.

RESOLVED:

1) That the decisions taken at the Informal Local Members' Liaison Meeting held on 20th July be approved
(see Annex `B').

2) That any meeting with Mr Morant about the Charter Market involve a representative of the Chamber of Trade & Commerce.

3) That investigations be undertaken as to the best way to lobby for improvements to the A31 in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.

P/4219 Planning applications Considered

Planning applications in respect of the weeks ending 21st and 28th June and 5th and 12th July 2005 were considered.

RESOLVED: That the observations as shown in Annex `C' be submitted.

P/4220 Urgent Business

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that the roof of the brick bus shelter in Southampton Road, Poulner had been set alight earlier in the week. She added that, as it was used as a meeting place by a group of youths, this shelter had been abused on a regular basis with tiles being damaged and walls covered in graffiti. In its current state, the bus shelter was in no condition to be used for its purpose and people had to stand beside the shelter to wait for buses.

The Deputy Town Clerk had spoken to the Acting Inspector at Ringwood Police Station who said that she would arrange for additional patrols in the area.

Members discussed options for the shelter and agreed to investigate the possibility of removing the existing tiled roof and replacing this with a concrete roof and to widen the windows to improve visibility into the shelter.

RESOLVED: That the Deputy Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee, be authorised to arrange for the tiled roof on the bus shelter in Southampton Road, Poulner to be replaced with a concrete roof and for the windows to be enlarged.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 4.05pm.

Open Session:

Planning Application Number 85387 ­ The Old Forge, Linford Road

There were 16 members of the public present who wished to object to this planning application for proposed terrace of 3 houses, 2 semi detached houses and 1 block of 5 flats on the site of The Old Forge.

The following points were made:

Mr Peter Hutchinson of Cornerways Cottage, Gorley Road

Not in keeping with the surroundings and out of character.
Would affect wildlife.
Damage to amenities of surrounding properties, particularly the mobile home park, with loss of light, noise, overlooking and additional traffic.
The hedge is part of the character of Linford Road ­ the loss of this would destroy the entrance to the road and would affect wildlife.
Flats out of character to the area.
10 parking spaces not sufficient.
Linford Road is a very narrow and dangerous road ­ it is also a route to school.
Current property has been underpinned twice.
Does not object to development on this site, but development should enhance the area, not detract from it.

Mrs Doreen Wood of Horseshoes, Linford Road

Very dangerous stretch of road between Horseshoes and the London Tavern ­ not wide enough for 2 cars to pass.

Mr Trevor Wood of Horseshoes, Linford Road

The speed survey was carried out at a quiet time of day, between 2pm and 4pm on a Thursday ­ this is not representative of actual speeds, especially in the evenings.

Margaret Rood of Cunningham Close

Her property backs on to the Old Forge ­ she would lose all privacy, as the proposed terrace of 3-storey houses would directly overlook her property.
3-storey properties would be out of keeping with the surrounding area.

Shirley-Ann Smith of Linford Road

Over intensification of land usage.
Linford Road is a route to school ­her children have been nearly knocked over in the past.
Out of keeping and character.
No infrastructure to support additional homes and traffic.