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

Present:

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

In Attendance:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk
Cllr L C Ford

All members were present.

P/4446 Declarations of Interest

There were none.

P/4447 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 30th March 2007, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

With the agreement of the Committee, planning application number 07/89739 and agenda item 7 were considered next for the benefit of the members of public present.

P/4448 Planning Application Number 07/89793

Members considered Planning Application Number 07/89793 for 2 bungalows on land rear of 194 and 196 Southampton Road.  Taking into consideration comments made in the Open Session and the Council’s response to the previous application for this site (06/86737), it was

RESOLVED:  That an observation of Refusal (4) be submitted for Planning Application Number 07/89793 with the following comment:

“Overdevelopment, loss of privacy, amenity and light to surrounding properties.  Concern re. new access to serve 4 properties, with additional vehicles crossing pavement and cycle lane and joining a busy road.  There is also concern that, if approved, this could set a precedent for other backland development in the area.”

P/4449 Proposed Telecommunications Development

Members considered the proposal by Hutchison 3G to install a 4m high antenna on the gable end of the rear elevation of the bakery in Butlers Lane retail centre, and supporting equipment cabinets at ground floor level within the service yard at the rear of the shops.  It was noted that this development did not require planning permission.  However, the company had given the Town Council 14 days to respond with comments on the proposed siting of the new mobile radio base station.  It appeared that the company had carried out no further consultation and that residents in the area had only been notified of the proposals through a letter-drop carried out by the Town Council.

Members were concerned that one of the reasons given for discounting alternative sites was their proximity to residential properties.  However, it was noted that there were three residential flats above the shops, one of which would be directly beneath the proposed antenna, and that the proposed site was in the middle of a residential area.  Members believed that the proposed site may put people’s health at risk and felt that the company had not presented a compelling case to allay the fears of the residents.  In addition, the antenna would be visually intrusive to the surrounding properties.

The Deputy Town Clerk informed Members that T-Mobile would shortly be submitting a planning application for a new base station on the junction of Gorley Road and Eastfield Lane.  It was therefore suggested that the two companies be advised to enter into correspondence so that site sharing could be considered, along with other issues, in line with advice from Government.

RESOLVED:  That the Council engage with Hutchison 3G to seek reconsideration of the proposed site of the base station and the company’s social obligations with regard to protecting the health of residents in the surrounding area.

P/4450 Traffic Management

Members received the draft notes of the Informal Local Members’ Liaison Meeting held on 11th April (Annex ‘A’).  The Deputy Town Clerk updated Members on investigations carried out by District Council officers following the meeting relating to disabled parking in the High Street, Market Place and Southampton Road.  It was noted that full details would be included in the Traffic Regulation Order for the High Street/Market Place to be advertised for public consultation later in the year.

RESOLVED:  That the draft notes of the Informal Local Members’ Liaison Meeting held on 11th April be received and decision taken be approved.

P/4451 Review of National Park Planning Surgeries in Lyndhurst

The Deputy Town Clerk reported that the Council had been asked to comment on a proposal by the New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA) to reduce the number of planning surgeries from two to one morning per week as they were not well attended.

RESOLVED:  That there was no objection to the reduction in the number of NFNPA planning surgeries to one morning per week.

P/4452 Speed Indicator Device

At the request of Full Council (C/4687 refers), Members reconsidered the proposal to deploy a Speed Indicator Device (SID) in Southampton Road.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Cllr Ford spoke on this subject.  She informed Members that she had been in correspondence with the New Forest Safer Roads Group to request a SID in the area of the bend between the Scout hut and the junction with Eastfield Lane.  She said that cars came round this bend at great speed, putting other road users in danger, particularly drivers turning right out of Eastfield Lane.  It was noted that the deployment of a SID would draw people’s attention to the speed restriction on this part of the road and would also record information on the speed of traffic, which would be assessed and further action taken if necessary.

RESOLVED:  That the proposed deployment of a SID in Southampton Road be supported.

P/4453 Appeal by Windsor Development Limited

The Deputy Town Clerk informed Members that, due to non-determination by the District Council of the application to erect 12 dwellings at 15 and 17 and rear of 13 Cloughs Road within the prescribed timescale, the applicant had submitted an appeal to the Secretary of Sate for Communities and Local Government.  It was noted that the Town Council’s previous comments would be taken into consideration by the Planning Inspector, however, the Deputy Town Clerk would write to the Inspector to reinforce the Council’s objection to the proposal.

RESOLVED:  That this information be noted.

P/4454 Planning Applications Considered

Planning applications in respect of periods ending 28th March and 4th, 11th & 18th April 2007 were considered. 

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