Agenda and minutes

Members of the Committee and Officers introduced themselves to all those who were present during the meeting.     

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2024 were submittedand approved as a correct record, and the Chair was authorised to sign them. 

None. 

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting

The Chair to notify the Committee of any items of urgent business to be added to the agenda.

There were no urgent items.     

Where additional information has been received by Planning Officers subsequent to the publication of the agenda, a supplementary report will be added to this item and published on the Council’s website the day before the meeting to update the main reports with any late information.

An officer addendum was circulated to the Committee prior to the start of the meeting, updating the report on the agenda with any late information (a copy of which was published on the Council’s website). 

Erection of an extra-care retirement community (Use Class C2), comprising 137 no. apartments for older people, ancillary facilities and services including an ancillary restaurant/bar and community meeting/activity space, soft and hard landscaping, parking, access and other associated works - SOVEREIGN.

The Development Management Lead (DML) presented the report. 

The Committee was advised by way of the Addendum that two consultation responses had been received since the officer report from Southern Water and the Health and Safety Executive, and four further public objections had been received.  The addendum included a revision to the officer’s recommendation to amend condition No. 10.4 - Landscaping, and add an additional Lighting Strategy condition.

Caroline Lynam, Sovereign Harbour Residents’ Association, spoke on behalf of residents in objection to the application. Jonathan Buckwell, Agent, spoke in support of the application and read a letter of support from a resident. Councillor Goodyear, Ward Councillor, addressed the Committee in objection to the application.

Councillor Lamb moved a proposal, against the officer’s recommendation, to defer the application to enable officers to negotiate amendments to the scheme and for the application to be determined at a future meeting.  However, if the negotiations fail, officers be authorised to refuse the application due to the proposed scale, bulk, height, massing and appearance and impact upon the setting of the neighbouring heritage asset, the Martello Tower 66. This was seconded by Councillor Morris and was put to a vote and carried.  

RESOLVED: (Unanimously) that delegated authority be provided to the Development Management Lead to liaise with the applicant regarding the reduction in the number of units, the height and separation of buildings, and to revisit the design to reflect the maritime locality and the Martello Tower.  Upon conclusion, to bring the application back to a future Planning Committee meeting following any required consultation.  Should the negotiations fail, the Development Management Lead be authorised to refuse planning permission on grounds of the impact of the proposed scale, bulk, height, massing and appearance on the character of the area and impact upon the setting of the neighbouring heritage asset, the Martello Tower 66. Example reasons were provided.

To note the next meeting of the Planning Committee is scheduled to be held on 15 April 2024 at 6pm.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Planning Committee was scheduled to commence at 6:00pm on Monday, 15 April 2024.