Open Session:

There were three members of the public present.

Apologies

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

Declarations of Interest

All members declared a personal interest in Cllr O’Reilly’s planning application 08/93054 and Cllr O’Reilly declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this planning application (see Minute P/4587 below). Cllr Steele declared a personal but non-prejudicial interest in Planning Application 08/93462. Cllr Woodifield declared a personal but non-prejudicial interest in NFDC – Shopping Trolleys (see Minute P/4589 below).

Present:

Cllr N R G Clarke (Chairman)
Cllr D R Cole
Cllr L C Ford
Cllr M A Steele
Cllr B H Terry
Cllr Mrs J Terry
Cllr B Woodifield

In Attendence:

Jo Stannard, Deputy Town Clerk
Claire Perrens, Meetings Administrator
Ashley Finch, Student Advisor
Rachel Giles, Student Advisor
Cllr G J O’Reilly
Terry Simpson, Town Clerk (for Item P/4588 only)

P/4586 Minutes of Previous Meeting

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 September 2008, having been circulated, be approved and signed as a correct record.

P/4587 Planning Applications

Members considered planning applications in respect of periods ending 10 September, 17 September, 24 September and 1 October 2008.

Application Number 08/93054
All members declared a personal interest in Cllr O’Reilly’s Planning Application 08/93054, as she is a member of the Town Council. Cllr O’Reilly, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this application, made a statement and answered questions before leaving the room, and taking no part in the discussion.

The application is for a new shop front at the Buckman Building, 43 Southampton Road. Although the Conservation Officer’s comments were not yet available, Cllr O’Reilly had stated that the Conservation Officer would prefer the shop front to be in timber, but that this was expensive to maintain. Members, however, felt that the proposed alternative of high quality aluminium finished in dark green, combined with the improved fenestration, would be acceptable.

Cllr O’Reilly rejoined the meeting.

Application Number 08/93071
This application is for a single-storey side extension at number 4 Raleigh Close, Poulner. Two members of the public, Mr and Mrs Cox, who live at number 6 Raleigh Close, wished to make a statement. This application follows a previously rejected application for a two storey side extension, which was also rejected at appeal, as it would harm living conditions at number 6.

Mr and Mrs Cox maintained that the new proposal, although single storey, would still cause them severe loss of light and outlook due to proximity with their ground floor kitchen window. Members agreed that although the applicant has attempted to address these issues, loss of light and outlook for number 6 was still a problem and so the application should be refused.

Application 08/92208
Mr Mark Kinkead was present to support, and answer questions on, the amended Furlong Development application. Members considered the plans and a cover letter which outlined all the amendments to the original application; these had been agreed through close liaison with New Forest District Council, Hampshire County Council and with the Town Council.

It was noted that the unattractive sub station would probably be re-sited or replaced. Members felt that the various concerns which they had outlined previously had been addressed, but reiterated the importance of provision of public toilets within the new retail units.

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

P/4588 New Forest National Park Plan Consultation

Members considered the Town Clerk’s report and draft responses to the NFNPA Plan Consultation. The Chairman thanked the Town Clerk for the hard work he has put in to producing the response. He added that there had been inadequate consultation prior to publishing the report which appears to be a statement in isolation of any other bodies. The Town Clerk considered the plan to be draconian in its proposals which could severely restrict the use of the New Forest by both visitors and locals, in particular affecting car use, dog walking and horse riding.

After further discussion, the Chairman concluded that it was a major strategic flaw not to develop the plan with the surrounding district; that the policies as proposed do not recognize that the district as a whole acts as a symbiotic economic entity. Current proposals would lead to the New Forest being only accessible to those wealthy enough to afford to live there and promote conservation in isolation from economic and social realities.

RECOMMENDED: That the responses (as shown in Annex ‘B’ attached) to the Consultation on the NFNPA Plan be approved.

P/4589 New Forest District Council – Shopping Trolleys

Cllr Woodifield declared a personal but non-prejudicial interest in this item, having been consulted as President of the Chamber of Commerce.

Key problem areas for abandoned trolleys had been identified as Castleman Way and the Bickerley. Most abandoned shopping trolleys are from Sainsbury’s, with some from Waitrose. The District Council now has powers to take more action, and members discussed the consultation document.

RESOLVED:

1) That the responsibility for abandoned shopping trolleys rest with the supermarkets,

and

2) That NFDC work closely with the supermarkets;

and

3) That it would be uneconomic for NFDC to operate a collect and destroy programme for abandoned trolleys;

and

4) That members wish to see the use of coin-operated or radio frequency tagged trolleys, noting that lack of space for collection points is an issue.

P/4590 Town Access Plan

The Deputy Town Clerk reported on a meeting held on 1 October of the Steering Group for the Town Access Plan. They had considered the terms of reference for the group and the project brief. A great deal of work had already been done through the Town Plan and other transport plans. All this information would now be brought together and a map created of all known issues. In January 2009, members and student advisors will be invited to a workshop to consider the map and take the project forward.

RESOLVED: That the Deputy Town Clerk’s report on the Town Access Plan meeting be noted.

P/4591 Pedestrian Crossing – High Street

At the request of New Forest District Council, members considered the most suitable location for a pedestrian crossing in the High Street. There is currently no pedestrian crossing and proposed sites will need to be surveyed by NFDC to see if they are viable. Members proposed two possible sites for survey, but it was agreed that a final decision could not be made until decisions on the A31 and the exit at the Fish Inn had been taken, as this will affect traffic flow.

RESOLVED:

1) That two possible locations for a pedestrian crossing be investigated, one being at Pedlar’s Walk, and the other between Sony and Allum of Siddaway (the latter would not lead to any loss of parking spaces);

and

2) That a final decision be subject to consultation with the Highways Agency and decisions regarding changes to the A31 and traffic flow in town.

P/4592 Proposed Extraction of Sand & Gravel at Plumley Wood

A further consultation on the proposed extraction of sand & gravel at Plumley Wood and associated development proposals at Burnt Hill Quarry and Blashford Quarry had been received. As the deadline of 2 October was prior to the Committee meeting, the Deputy Town Clerk in liaison with the Town Mayor, Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee, re-submitted members’ original comments.

RESOLVED: That the response to the consultation on the proposed extraction of sand & gravel at Plumley Wood and associated development proposals at Burnt Hill Quarry and Blashford Quarry be approved.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 4.40pm.