Residents are reminded that Test Valley Borough Council must have given their approval, in writing, before any tree work is carried out within the Monxton Conservation Area.
For more information contact the TVBC Planning Department, at Beech Hurst on 01264-368000 and ask for the Tree Department. Applications can also be completed and submitted online at planning@testvalley.gov.uk.
Removal of HCV Cap at Andover ‘Business’ Park
| APPLICATION NO: | 16/01512/OBLN |
| APPLICANT: | Goodman Real Estate (UK) Ltd |
| PROPOSAL: | Modify the planning obligation associated with Planning Permission 09/02392/OUTN by removal of Part II of Schedule 6 regarding HCV Traffic Demand Management systems |
| SITE: | Andover Business Park, Monxton Road, Andover |
Pete Parfrey, as a representative of Monxton Parish Council, attended a meeting of the Northern Area Planning Committee at TVBC Beechurst offices on 17th November where the application by Goodmans to remove the limit of 85 HCVs per hour was heard and considered.
It was interesting to hear Goodmans state that the current figure is only 41 HCVs per hour, and that their projections show they will not reach the 85 limit, despite building ever larger distribution, units requiring many heavy vehicle movements, such as the new ‘Angle 340’. The following statement is taken from their website today, “Global integrated property group, Goodman, can confirm work is underway on a state-of- the-art 336,300 sq ft industrial distribution unit at Andover Business Park”
They stated that they needed to remove the cap because of the way they had (over) allocated HCV slots in their leases, for instance, The Chalkhill Blue had been allocated 7 slots when they only needed one.
There were a large number of well-considered written objections from several local Parish Councils, including Monxton, and a representative from Abbots Ann spoke strongly against the motion. Monxton Parish Council also spoke against the motion. However, a representative from Goodmans dismissed the Parish Councils and residents statements as “not understanding” the application.
The objections were well supported by a number of local councillors, and the great majority of those who spoke were strongly against removing the cap. These councillors pointed out that, in order to secure the original planning permission,Goodmans had freely entered into an agreement with TVBC and thus agreed to the original restrictions.
It is worth noting that Highways England and HCC based their lack of objection solely on figures relating to the strategic highways network, and the only reference to local impact was to say that local villages are protected by the ANPR system. Pete Parfrey was one of a number of those present who pointed out that any system which is out of operation for over a year and a half in order to carry out repairs, cannot be regarded as a reliable or effective safeguard. There is also a lack of transparency, in that the system appears to rely on those who stand to be penalised to implement it.
The application was duly defeated, at which point the planning officer stated that this was both a technical and legal issue, and that councillors had to provide robust evidence that the cap was “serving a useful purpose”. She also, rather worryingly, stated that Goodmans had received planning permission for a “warehouse development”.
This is very different to the original application, which was for for a “Mixed Business Park”, with some warehousing, as illustrated in the Goodmans promotional video shown to councillors by planning officers at that original hearing.
Understandably, the councillors pointed out that they were not legal experts, giving TVBC the opportunity, once more, to refer the matter to TVBC’s Planning Control committee.
This is a re-run of the process which allowed the original application, which was also rejected locally , to be passed at a later date by Planning Control.
There is a very strong feeling locally that relaxing this condition would mark the beginning of a ‘slippery slope’, and seriously undermine trust and confidence in the planning system. What is the point of fighting for and agreeing restrictions, only to see them subsequently removed? If we are to have any influence on the outcome of this, and further applications, (which may well already be in the pipeline), we will need a co-ordinated show of force and support from affected local villages.
The next meeting is at 5.30pm on 20 December in Conference Room 1, Council Offices, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover. The meeting is open to the public.
The agenda for the meeting, which includes the officers’ report for this application, will be available from 1.00pm at Customer Services, Romsey 5 clear working days before the meeting, or Customer Services at the Beech Hurst offices in Andover. Additionally a copy of the agenda is available for viewing on the Council’s website (www.testvalley.gov.uk/view-applications). Any update report will be available from 5.00pm on the day of the meeting at the committee.
Please speak up and make your voice heard. Get in touch with Pete Parfrey to do so by email (prparfrey@gmail.com) or phone 01264 710516.
15/00180/FULLN |Abbotts Mead, Chalkpit Lane, Monxton, Hampshire, SP11 8AS
Removal of existing boot room and erection of ground and first floor extensions and porch to existing dwelling; internal and external alterations; replacement 3 bay cartshed with external stairs; new access and parking area.
Click here for the full application and type in the reference number above.
The proposal includes a new access onto Abbotts Ann Road. The final date for Neighbour Consultation is Friday 20 February 2015. If you wish to make comment, please do so on the Test Valley website link above.
The Planning Inspector came to visit Langley, Green Lane, Monxton on 3 February 2015 in response to the appeal for a new dwelling on the site. The TVBC Planning Portal now shows that the appeal was dismissed. There have been five planning applications and the appeal over nearly four years.
See the Langley Decision Letter from The Planning Inspectorate.
There are four new applications for Monxton. To see each in more detail please click here and type in the reference number below. You can also comment online should you wish.
An update on the progress to secure sites for the relocation of Alpine and Penchard from their agent:
Despite a very thorough search, it was not possible to find existing buildings suitable for Alpine’s and Penchard’s businesses and it took an appreciable amount of time to find sites in an acceptable location which could be developed to provide the accommodation needed by both companies, particularly as the provider of those sites also has to be the purchaser of the Manor Farm site, once the companies have been relocated.
The companies are in the final stages of agreeing designs and specifications for the new buildings for Alpine and Penchard and they will then enter into negotiations to agree terms for the acquisition of the buildings and the sale of Manor Farm. Those negotiations should be concluded before Christmas and then the purchaser of Manor Farm will submit a planning application for the redevelopment of Manor Farm. That application should be determined by the middle of 2015 and, providing it is approved, the construction of the buildings for Alpine and Penchard should commence late summer and be completed by May/June 2016.
Application by Nelson Plant Hire Ltd: Variation of condition 3 (operating hours) of planning permission 11/02569/CMAN at Nelson Recycling, Homestead Farm, Weyhill Road, Penton Corner Andover SP11 0QX (application number 14/01527/CMAN)
The Regulatory Committee refused the above application. For any further queries about the case please contact Kristina King on planning@hants.gov.uk
Nelson Plant Hire Application No: 14/01527/CMAN
VARIATION OF CONDITION 3 (operating hours) of planning permission 11/02569/CMAN for an increase in hours to start from 6am to 6pm to include Saturdays and between 6am to 1pm on Bank Holidays.
The deadline for comments is now 1st August 2014 to Hampshire County Council (not TVBC).
This planning application has been deferred from the 16th July 2014 Regulatory Committee and it will now be considered at the 17th September 2014 Regulatory Committee.
If you wish to comment details are on www.hants.gov.uk/county-planning. You can do so by email to planning@hants.gov.uk and copy to the case officer, Kristina King at kristina.king@hants.gov.uk or in writing to her at:
County Planning
Economy, Transport and Environment
Hampshire County Council
Elizabeth II Court West
Winchester
Hampshire SO23 8UD
Do also copy in Cllr Pat West (patricia.west90@gmail.com) and Cllr Ben Few-Brown (bfewbrown@googlemail.com), if you wish.
We have compiled a template letter for everyone to use. Please download the Letter of Objection Nelsons Operating hours and add you own comments if you wish. Don’t forget to add your own name and address to the letter too!
PLEASE ENSURE YOU SEND YOUR EMAIL BEFORE FRIDAY 1ST AUGUST 2014
Retrospective Planning Application for the construction of an access bridge across the Pillhill Brook at Upper Mill House. Application No: 13/01556/FULLN
The TVBC Northern Area Planning Committee met on 15th April 2014 to consider this application and concluded that this development does not impact adversely on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, flooding or ecology, and in these respects complies with the relevant policies of the Test Valley Borough Local Plan.
Therefore permission was granted. The decision notice and plan may be viewed on the Council’s website at www.testvalley.gov.uk/view-applications.
TVBC have to produce a Revised Development Plan which will identify new development areas and make the planning process simpler. Their proposals are shown below and the MPC will be commenting on them on behalf of the village. However we would encourage individuals to comment as well.
Comments can be either critical or supportive as both are reviewed by the Government Inspectors who will review the Plan later in the year. For instance, the development/strategic gaps around Andover proposed by TVBC are important to us, but land owners and developers are pushing for the area between Abbotts Ann and the A303 to be developed (Little Park Farm): this it seems would be about 2500 dwellings.
Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan Development Plan Document (DPD)
The draft Revised Test Valley Borough Local Plan DPD contains proposed policies for determining planning applications and identifying strategic allocations for housing, employment and other uses.
Latest update on the Revised Local Plan
The Revised Local Plan (pre-submission) was considered at Cabinet on 18th December 2013 and full Council on the 8th January 2014 where it was agreed to undertake 6 weeks public consultation. The consultation will run from 9.00am Friday, 24th January to 4.30pm Friday, 7th March 2014.
The document is available by clicking here on the Council’s website. Please be advised that they are large documents and may take time to download. The documents are also available for reference at the Council Offices in both Andover and Romsey and at local libraries.
Any comments made should focus on whether it is considered that the document complies with the legal requirements and whether the document is ‘sound’ i.e. is it:-
Only comments received during that period will be taken into account. Comments can be made online by clicking here or can be emailed to ldf@testvalley.gov.uk or sent by post using the paper response form to the Council’s Beech Hurst offices.
Monxton Matters 