Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence received.

Apologies were received from Councillors Gary Hughes, Adam Jackman, Keith House and Kim Taylor. Councillors Sarah Pankhurst and Wayne Irish attended as deputies.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

It was confirmed that Councillor Steven Broomfield was in attendance at the previous meeting. The minutes of the last meeting were then reviewed and agreed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

The Committee had received two deputations for the meeting.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman confirmed that an Public Inquiry was due to take place from the 10 May regarding the Three Maids Hill application that had come to Committee.

Blackbushe Airport rights of way had also been appealed, but it had been concluded that there was no legal case and costs had been refunded to the County Council.

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding two planning applications.

1. Extension to the quarry extraction area to the South-West with associated modifications to the approved quarry schemes (Application No. 30633/041)

2. Variation of Conditions 1 (Timescale), 4 (Phasing) and 10 (Landscaping) of Planning Permission 30633/039 (Application No. 30633/040) at Grundon Sand and Gravel Ltd, Frith End Sand Quarry, Grooms Farm Lane, Frith End, Bordon (Site Ref: EH121).

Extension to the quarry extraction area to the South-West with associated modifications to the approved quarry schemes (No. 30633/041)

And

Variation of Conditions 1 (Timescale), 4 (Phasing) and 10 (Landscaping) of Planning Permission 30633/039 (No. 30633/040)

at Grundon Sand and Gravel Ltd, Frith End Sand Quarry, Grooms Farm Lane, Frith End, Bordon GU35 0QR

(Site Ref: EH121)

The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Director for Waste, Planning and Environment (item 6 in the minute book) regarding two applications at Frith End Quarry in Bordon.

The officer summarised the report as well as the importance of soft and silica sand, which was rare in Hampshire. An update report had been circulated, which covered recently received representations regarding the applications.

A location plan and aerial photographs were shown of the site area and its relation to the road network and nearby towns.

The Committee received two deputations on this item.

Monika Gogle spoke on behalf of the applicant in support of the application, enforcing that there was no risk of flooding and 100,000 tonnes of sand could be extracted within the 18 month period.

Councillor Kemp-Gee spoke as the local Member against the application, questioning the need and proposing that the County look to share reserves with surrounding Counties to assist with supplies.

During questions of the deputations, the following points were clarified:

·         During a previous flood at the quarry, 20,000 tonnes of sand was lost

·         The Liaison Panel last met in February 2021 where the potential applications were discussed

During questions of the officer, the following points were clarified:

·         The County Landscape Architect was happy that the existing landscape and vegetation helped shield the site;

·         Restoration proposals had been approved and a 10yr aftercare plan was included as part of the applications. The proposals had been approved by Natural England and the County Ecology team;

·         Further work would be done in looking at the provision of aggregate and other Authorities;

·         Areas had been retained for bird nesting and nesting still continued on the site. 

In debate, some Members did share concerns on the impact of the proposals on local wildlife, but on balance agreed there was no planning reason to refuse the applications.

RESOLVED

a) Planning permission was GRANTED for planning application, 30633/041 subject to the conditions listed in Appendix A (30633/041).

b)  Planning permission was GRANTED for planning application 30633/040, subject to the conditions listed in Appendix B.

Both recommendations were voted on together with the following outcome:

Favour: 13

Against: 1

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding Realignment works and alterations to the northerly section of Blackbushes Road including the addition of a fourth arm on the A30/A327 Hartford Bridge Flats junction roundabout, plus changes to street lighting, road lining, road signing and drainage and new boundary fencing alongside the western and eastern boundaries at Blackbushes Road, Hartley Wintney and land to the west of Blackbushes Road (Application No. 22/00214/HCC) (Site Ref: HRH003).

Realignment works and alterations to the northerly section of Blackbushes Road including the addition of a fourth arm on the A30/A327 Hartford Bridge Flats junction roundabout, plus changes to street lighting, road lining, road signing and drainage and new boundary fencing alongside the western and eastern boundaries at Blackbushes Road, Hartley Wintney and land to the west of Blackbushes Road (No. 22/00214/HCC) (Site Ref: HRH003)

The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Director for Waste, Planning and Environment (item 7 in the minute book) regarding an application for realignment works a Blackbuses Road in Hartley Wintney.

The officer summarised the application and video of the current road layout was shown to the Committee, along with aerial plans of the proposed road with drainage and boundary fencing proposals. An update report had also been provided summarising comments from Natural England, which had no objection subject to appropriate mitigation being secured.

Members were happy with the proposals.

RESOLVED

Planning permission was GRANTED subject to the conditions listed in Appendix A and the update report.

Voting:

Favour: 14 (unanimous)

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the Monitoring and Enforcement work undertaken by Strategic Planning during the period November 2021 – April 2022.

The Committee received an update report from the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment (item 8 in the minute book), which provided information on the Monitoring and Enforcement work undertaken by Strategic Planning during the period November 2021 – April 2022.

Following some delays, assessments were now being undertaken at Bunny Lane and a further application permanent operation was anticipated later in the year.

The Calf Lane Liaison Panel had met, being chaired by Councillor Glen as the local Member and had been very successful. Members were invited to sit on any upcoming liaison panels if they wished to see how they operated.

Officers were thanked for the update and for their work and the report was noted.