Agenda and minutes

After noting any apologies for absence, Members will be asked to confirm their attendance and state any declarations of interest that they may have.

Apologies were received from Councillors Carpenter, Inkster, Howard, Raines, Gary Robinson, Gwen Robinson, Scott, Thain-Smith and Wade.

There were no declarations of interest from the members present.

Cllr Hughes introduced the item as the relevant Cabinet Lead.  He outlined the proposed changes to the document made necessary by external factors since it had been unanimously approved by Council in January 2019.  This included the need for all development to be nutrient neutral and he was proud of the pioneering approach taken by the council to address this matter with the mitigation scheme that had been launched in August 2020.

Since approval of the document in January 2019 the Hayling Island Transport Assessment had been approved and work was well underway in respect of proposals for the Warblington junction.  These would be published prior to submission.  He was conscious that the Hayling Island Transport Assessment Addendum had been controversial but considered it to be a robust piece of work that would lead to discernible improvements along the A3023 corridor.

He proposed the Cabinet recommendation to Council and urged that it be approved in order that a consolidated version of the Local Plan could be submitted to the Secretary of State and progressed to examination.

Council noted the deputations received from:

Mr Graham

Mrs Tonkin

Mr Owens

Mrs Skennerton (on behalf of Hayling Island Residents Association)

Mr Parham (on behalf of Save Our Island)

Mr Davison

Mr Jones

Mrs Brooks (on behalf of Havant Climate Alliance and Havant Friends of the Earth)

Mrs Tonkin, Mr Jones, Mr Parham and Mrs Skennerton were in attendance virtually and delivered their deputations verbally to Council.

The Cabinet recommendation proposed by Cllr Hughes was duly seconded by Cllr Wilson.

In response to a question, Council was advised that the Pre-Submission Local Plan had carried limited material weight since being approved by Council in January 2019.  If approved, the amendments being considered would also carry the same weight.

In response to further questions it was confirmed that the evidence being produced highlighted a need for an upgraded junction at Warblington.  When assessing transport improvements, it was confirmed that the housing projections contained within existing and emerging local plans of the borough and those of neighbouring areas were considered.

In respect of the Hayling Island Transport Assessment Addendum, Cllr Hughes confirmed that he was happy to engage with residents’ concerns in his capacity as Chair of the Hayling Island Infrastructure Advisory Group and highlighted the importance of the timing of trigger points for works to be carried out.  These could be amended if necessary and he cited the changes made through interventions by Councillors in respect of the West of Waterlooville Major Development Area as an example.

The Mayor invited Councillors to debate the matter.

During the debate, members stressed the dangers of piecemeal development if the council could not demonstrate a five-year land supply and highlighted the importance of the local plan being compliant with all relevant statutory guidance. 

Whilst welcoming the commitment made by Cllr Hughes to engage with residents in respect of the Hayling Island Transport Assessment Addendum, concerns were raised by some members in respect of the consultation that had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.