Agenda item

Report of the Service Lead, Planning, Infrastructure and Development recommending that conditional approval be granted in respect of an application for a proposed development at the above address.

The Panel considered the report of the Service Head, Planning, Infrastructure and Development Manager recommending that authority to grant conditional approval in respect of the application for a proposed development at the above address.

Installation of a replacement play area with fencing, associated structures and changes in level, following removal of paddling pool

Elizabeth Gates (local resident objecting), Graham Linecar (Southampton Commons and Parks Protection Society) and Nick Yeats (applicant), were present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The presenting officer reported that additional correspondence had been received from the Hampshire Constabulary whom had requested that CCTV be positioned within the new play scheme. In addition the Panel discussed the both the style of fencing and the positioning of the fencing around the scheme. Upon being put to the vote the officer recommendation to grant authority for approval, subject to the conditions set out in the report and the amendments set out below, was carried unanimously. 

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions in the report and the amended / additional conditions set out below. 

Amended Condition

10. HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPING

Notwithstanding the submitted details, before the commencement of any site works a detailed landscaping scheme and implementation timetable shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority in writing, which includes:

i.  proposed finished ground levels or contours; pedestrian access and circulations areas, hard surfacing materials, structures and ancillary objects (refuse bins, etc.);

ii.  means of enclosure – to include a design appropriate for the Common;

iii.  planting plans; written specifications (including cultivation and other operations associated with plant and grass establishment); schedules of plants, noting species, plant sizes and proposed numbers/planting densities where appropriate;

iv.  a landscape management scheme.

The approved hard and soft landscaping scheme for the whole site shall be carried out prior to the first use of the playarea hereby approved or during the first planting season following the full completion of building works, whichever is sooner. The approved scheme implemented shall be maintained for a minimum period of 5 years following its complete provision.

Any trees, shrubs, seeded or turfed areas which die, fail to establish, are removed or become damaged or diseased, within a period of 5 years from the date of planting shall be replaced by the Developer in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species unless the Local Planning Authority gives written consent to any variation. The Developer shall be responsible for any replacements for a period of 5 years from the date of planting.

REASON: To improve the appearance of the site and enhance the character of the development in the interests of visual amenity, to ensure that the development makes a positive contribution to the local environment and, in accordance with the duty required of the Local Planning Authority by Section 197 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990

Note to Applicant:

The design of the fence shall not be the 1.2m high galvanised steel dark green powder coated fence submitted within Davies White (25^th October 2016) report and should respond more to the character of the Common.

Addition Condition

11. CORONATION AVENUE

Notwithstanding the plans hereby approved no development shall take place until amended plans showing a revised location for the playground’s boundary fence along Coronation Avenue have been submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The fencing shall be implemented in accordance with the agreed revised details and shall be retained as approved thereafter.

REASON: As the installation of fencing at the back edge of Coronation Avenue is considered to harm the open character to this part of the Common.

Additional note to the applicant

The Planning and Rights of Way Panel recommends that the applicant should investigate the feasibility of providing a CCTV scheme to support these proposals following the objection from Hampshire Constabulary.