Agenda item

Phased residential development for 164 dwellings; new vehicular access onto Brockhills Lane and other associated works including landscaping, ANRG and open space

RECOMMENDED:

Delegated Authority be given to the Executive Head for Planning, Regeneration and Economy to GRANT PERMISSION subject to the completion by end of the February 2024, of a planning obligation entered into by way of a Section 106 Agreement and the imposition of the conditions as set out in the report, together with any further additions, and amendments to conditions as appropriate.

Details:

Phased residential development for 164 dwellings; new vehicular access onto Brockhills Lane and other associated works including landscaping, ANRG and open space

Public Participants:

Karen Barnes, Turley Associates (Agent)

Robert Lofthouse, Pennyfarthing Homes Limited (Applicant)

Ben Arnold, Pennyfarthing Homes Limited (Present to answer questions)

Tim Wall, Transport Consultant i-Transport (Present to answer questions)

Neill Crawford (Objector)

Cllr Steve Clarke, New Milton Town Council

Additional Speaker:

Nick Gymer, Highways Officer, Hampshire County Council (Present to answer technical highways questions)

Additional Representations:

The Case Officer reported that since the report had been published a further 45 letters of objection had been received, as well as additional comments from New Milton Town Council and a comment from Cllr Carpenter, Hampshire County Council.  These had been published in the update note circulated prior to the meeting.

Comment:

Cllr Hawkins declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of the Planning Committee of New Milton Town Council which had commented on the application.  He concluded that as he had not expressed a view on the application, as amended, there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak and to vote.

Cllr Ward declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of New Milton Town Council which had commented on the application. She concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent her from remaining in the meeting to speak and to vote.

Cllr Crisell arrived at the meeting shortly after the Case Officer had begun his presentation.  It was clarified that the presentation at this point had been the same as that given to members of the Planning Committee in December 2022, at which Cllr Crisell was present.  The Case Officer’s verbal update contained no new information to that contained within the update previously circulated to Members. Therefore, legal advice was provided to confirm that should Cllr Crisell wish to take part in the consideration of the application and vote, there was no legal reason to prevent her from doing so. 

Members noted that additional information had been provided since the meeting in December to further explain and support the proposed highway improvements and to address the issue of highway safety along Brockhills Lane.  Whilst some Members still had reservations in relation to highway safety, they were advised that the application was acceptable in planning terms.  The Planning Committee requested that officers work with the highways department at Hampshire County Council and the Town Council to keep the issue of safety along Brockhills Lane under review.

Cllr Kangarani was not present during part of the debate on this item and did not vote.

Decision:

Delegated Authority be given to the Executive Head for Planning, Regeneration and Economy to GRANT PERMISSION subject to:

i)              The completion by end of February 2024, of a planning obligation entered into by way of a Section 106 Agreement to secure the following contributions and other benefits:

·         Affordable Housing (AH) – 82 units with a tenure split of 21 First homes, 13 Social Rent, 25 Affordable rent and 23 shared ownership.  Phasing delivery of units to be agreed, and long-term retention as AH.

·         Biodiversity net gain (BNG).

·         Education Contribution – There will be a requirement for developer to pay a contribution of £659,778 to primary and education provision.

·         ANRG provision and maintenance and monitoring

·         Habitat mitigation for recreational impact – non infrastructure access and management contributions per dwelling as per standard formula

·         POS provision and maintenance including play spaces – triggers for implementation, management arrangements to ensure long term public access and proper management and maintenance of those areas.

·         Formal POS – there will be a requirement to secure appropriate contributions to the provision of formal public open space off the site

·         Provision and management of on-site drainage

·         Air quality assessment monitoring contribution in line with Local Plan policy.

·         Off-site highway works – There will be a requirement to secure the provision of the new access, junction and associated highway works at Brockhills Lane (subject to 278 Agreement).

·         Not to Occupy any residential units until the crossing point and footpath link is provided along Brockhills Lane between the proposed footpath in the south west corner of the ANRG/ Green space within the approved layout and the existing footpath in Brockhills Land as shown in principle on drawing ITB12027-GA-204 Rev A and ITB12027 Rev H has been constructed and made available for public use at all times in accordance with the approved design that has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority.  The footway link must remain available for use at all times.  Provision of an uncontrolled crossing with tactile paving at the junction of Brockhills Lane and Oakwood Avenue; Ashley Common Road and Miller Close; Molyneux Road / Ashley Road; Highridge Crescent / Ashley Road ; Widening of footway to 2.0m for 50 metres along Ashley Common Road between No 79. And No 85; and provision of an uncontrolled crossing with tactile paving at its junction with Ashley Common Road (cul-de-sac).

·         There will be a requirement to pay the Travel Plan approval and monitoring fees, and a need to provide a surety mechanism to ensure implementation of the travel plan.

·         The provision of a 2 to 3 metre wide footpath along the eastern side of Brockhills Land to connect the footpath proposed in the ANRG of the development to the existing footpath on the western side of Brockhills Lane.  The proposal would need to provide crossing facilities across Brockhills Lane

·         The provision of a pedestrian footpath is proposed within the site directly opposite the southern side of the Hollands Wood Drive junction.  The proposed footpath would incorporate crossing facilities and a footway extension to Hollands Wood Drive for pedestrians and provide a cycle transition to Brockhills Lane.

·         There will be a requirement to secure a contribution of £27,000 mitigating against parking and school travel planning

·         The provision to secure and implement Brockhills Lane/Sway Road Improvement Scheme and Traffic Management on Sway Road

·         The provision to secure and implement the emergency vehicle and pedestrian access and crossing point to Sway Road

·         Provision of a full Travel Plan with bond, monitoring fees and approval fees.

·         Monitoring contributions

ii)             Delegated authority be given to the Executive Head of Planning, Regeneration and Economy to include the contributions as set out in the report together with any further additions, and amendments to conditions as appropriate.

Conditions / Reasons:

As per report (Item 3a)