PLANNING  COMMITTEE REPORT  TO  THE EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE : 11 APRIL 2016

 The Planning Committee has met on two occasions since the last Executive and the following matters were discussed and acted upon:-

 Planning Applications:

 We have objected to the following:-

East Street/Brightwells – Section 73 Amendments, Screening Opinion and Listed Building Consent.

The Lobster Pot, Upper Hale Road – eleven new flats, retail and restaurant following demolition of the existing.

31a Shortheath Road – three new dwellings replacing one.

Summerfield House, Runfold St George – 3 new dwellings

The Barbican, East Street – modifications to original application

We are considering objections to the following:-

Lavender Lane, Rowledge – revision of refused application for nine dwellings.

Rosewood Cottage, Wrecclesham – revision of refused application for three dwellings; this one for one new dwelling.

Tongham Road, Runfold – Guildford BC application for 254 dwellings with part of the SANG in Waverley.

We have written in support of the following:-

Chapels, Hale Cemetery, Alma Road, linked extension to form community facility.

Local Plan:

 The new draft plan was scheduled to go to the Executive of WBC this April but has now been deferred until August.

  Neighbourhood Plan:

 Farnham Town Council will complete the next stage of the plan, Regulation 15, by May.

 Farnham Station Car Park:

 Work on building an upper deck will commence on 18 April and will last for up to four months.  Expect difficulties!

 Elizabeth Sims – new Head of Planning Services:

 Following on from our meeting with Matthew Evans, the committee is to meet with Mrs Elizabeth Sims on Tuesday 10 May between 12 noon and 1.00 pm.  A full agenda will be prepared at our next meeting but will include the following:-

A Traffic/Transport Strategy for Farnham

  • The five-year housing supply figures
  • A Design Review Panel for Farnham/Waverley

  National Association of Local Councils (NALC):

 This organization has launched a petition, requiring 100,000 signatures, to ask that Town and Parish Councils have the right to appeal any planning decision. The committee supports this petition and asks that as many people as possible sign it at https://petition.parliament.uk.petitions/110489    If 100,000 signatures were obtained it would have to be debated in parliament.

  Re-crafting Farnham:

 A further public meeting is to be held on 18 April at The Maltings.  Members of the Planning Committee are to meet with the architects this Friday 8 April.

  Thames Basin Heath SPA Review/Consultation:

 The committee is considering this, with a response to be sent shortly.

Planning Committee:

As I am standing down as Chairman at the AGM, this will be my last Executive Committee report.  I should like to thank all members of the Planning Committee and the Executive for their help and guidance over the last six years.  The Planning Committee has recommended David Howell as the next Chairman.

PETER  BRIDGEMAN

7 April 2016