There were no members of the public present.

Present:

Cllr N R G Clarke (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr D E Cracknell                  
Cllr M F J Daly
Cllr B H Terry          

In Attendance:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk

P/4306 Absence

Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr D R Cole and Cllr N C Wood.

P/4307 Declarations of Interest

There were none.

P/4308 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 31st March 2006, having been circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

P/4309 The Effect of Changing Parking Standards

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that the District Council was giving Town and Parish Councils a further opportunity to consider the effect of changing parking standards for development sites.  Although the Committee had responded to this in February, she asked if members had any further examples of problem areas.  The following were put forward:

1. Fairlie Park (entrance from Gorley Road) – dangerous parking on verges.
2. Cornerways Medical Centre – car park is often full and cars have started parking in Linford Road opposite.
3. Salisbury Road (by the sub-station) – despite the presence of Police bollards, this area is usually full up during the week.

It was also felt that the developments at 38 & 38a Southampton Road (3 houses and 9 flats) and rear of 30 Quomp (14 dwellings) would create difficulties with parking upon completion.

RESOLVED:  That a response be sent to the District Council based on the above information.

P/4310 Development Control in the National Park

The Deputy Town Clerk informed members that the New Forest National Park Authority would be operating its Development Control department in much the same way as New Forest District Council.  Officers would continue to provide a briefing note in the same format and observations would be expected using the same five options as the District Council. 

The Development Control Committee would meet once a month and, if the Council expresses a contrary view and is not content to leave the final decision to officers, applications will be determined by that committee.  It was also noted that the Head of Development Control would like to develop closer working relationships with Parish and Town Councils in monitoring new developments and would be holding annual meetings to review liaison procedures.

RESOLVED:  That this information be noted.

P/4311 Parish Path Poll

The Deputy Town Clerk advised that an invitation had been received from Hampshire County Council for the Town Council to become involved in carrying out a Parish Path Poll – a one-day survey of people using local paths.  It was noted that the Poll would take place between 8am and 6pm on Sunday 18th June and should be carried out by volunteers who would complete a count of people seen and carry out interviews.

RESOLVED:  That the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society be approached to see if their members would be interested in becoming involved in the Parish Path Poll.

P/4312 Planning Applications Considered

Planning applications in respect of periods ending 28th March and 4th, 11th & 18th April 2006 were considered. 

RESOLVED:  That the observations as shown in Annex ‘A’ be submitted.

P/4313 Appeal by Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd

Members considered the Appeal by Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd against New Forest District Council’s decision to refuse Planning Application Number 86835 for three replacement trolley stores and relocation of ATM.  It was noted that the Committee had supported this application.

Members supported the relocation of the ATM for the following reasons:

1. The new location offers improved security as it is more visual and therefore safer to use
2. The ATM is in keeping with its surroundings and there is no harmful impact on the character of the area

Members supported the proposal for replacement trolley stores for the following reasons:

1. There is a need for more visible trolley bays in the car park as the existing facilities are not well used
2. There would be no adverse impact on the character of the area, provided the following conditions were imposed:
3. that there be no advertising by the applicant on the trolley stores
4. that the trolley stores be coloured black to match the bus shelters in the area

RESOLVED:  That a letter of support be written to the Planning Inspectorate, based on the above information.

P/4314 Urgent Business

There was none.