Open Session:

There were several members of the public present who wished to speak (see attached notes).

Apologies

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Deputy Town Clerk reported that apologies for absence had been received from Cllr D E Cracknell.

Declarations of Interest

Cllr Steele declared a personal but not prejudicial interest in planning application number 07/90160 as he held a monthly surgery at The Elm Tree Inn.

Present:

Cllr N R G Clarke (Chairman)
Cllr N J Chard
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr M F Daly
Cllr M A Steele
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr J A M Terry

In Attendence:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk

P/4470 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 25th May 2007, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

With the agreement of the Committee, planning application numbers 07/90992, 07/90242, 07/90131 and 07/90134 were considered next for the benefit of the members of public present (see Annex ’C’ for observations).

P/4471 NFDC Traffic Management Programme 2007/08

Members received the agreed Traffic Management Programme for 2007/08 for schemes being progressed by New Forest District Council (Annex ‘A’). It was noted that the prohibition of waiting scheme agreed for Bickerley Road and adjoining roads was in the process of being implemented and street markings should be completed by week ending 1st July 2007.

RESOLVED: That NFDC’s Traffic Management Programme for 2007/08, as detailed in Annex ‘A’, be received.

P/4472 Use of Eastfield Lane by Heavy Goods Vehicles

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that correspondence had been received from a resident of Eastfield Lane regarding the increase in use of the Lane by Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), and asking if it would be possible to restrict such vehicles by implementing a weight limit. It was noted that, when the existing lorry restrictions had been implemented in the town, consideration had been given to restricting Eastfield Lane. However, the Highway Authority had concluded that it was not unreasonable for HGVs travelling from the east to access industrial estates to the south of the town via Eastfield Lane as the availability of two routes (the other being Christchurch Road) had the overall effect of reducing HGV movement through the town centre.

Members did not therefore support the introduction of lorry restrictions in Eastfield Lane. However, it was noted that this issue was one of the justifications for the introduction of a distributor road from the A31 to Christchurch Road, which would enable all HGVs to be routed away from residential areas.

RESOLVED: That the concerns about use of Eastfield Lane by HGVs be noted.

P/4473 NFDC Planning Seminar

Cllr Clarke reported that he had recently attended a Planning Seminar at New Forest District Council when the emerging findings of the consultants’ studies – the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and Affordable Housing Economic Viability Assessment – had been discussed. He said that housing affordability was becoming worse in the area and the annual need for affordable housing was significantly in excess of the South East Plan housing requirement for the area. There was also a shortage of available land in the area. The District Council was therefore considering the introduction of new policies, such as increasing the affordable housing requirement on residential development sites and lowering site thresholds for contributions.

The New Forest Open Space Study had also been discussed at the Seminar and it was noted that the town was poorly provided for in informal open space, play areas and formal sports pitches. The Recreation, Leisure & Open Spaces had previously discussed this report.

RESOLVED: That the information be received and noted.

P/4474 New Forest Community Strategy Review

Members noted that the New Forest Community Strategy was being reviewed and there would be various opportunities for the Town Council to express its views as this review proceeded. At this stage, the Council had been consulted on suggested priorities for the built environment. Members considered the options (Annex ‘B’) and agreed that option D (increase quality and quantity of public space) and option F (make town centres more attractive) would be priorities for the town. In general, it was felt that the issues were too narrowly focused on a relatively small geographical area of a typical town centre, to the exclusion of the wider economic and social structure.

RESOLVED: That the District Council be informed that priorities for the built environment for Ringwood would be options D and F.

P/4475 Planning Applications Considered

Planning applications in respect of periods ending 23rd & 30th May and 6th & 13th June 2007 were considered.

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