Planning Committee
As its name implies, the Planning Sub-Committee deals with planning issues for Alresford. All planning applications and related matters concerning Alresford are decided upon by Winchester City Development Control Department, but in coming to decisions, Winchester takes into account the local views and opinions which are expressed by NATC. The Planning Sub-Committee reviews the planning applications, makes site visits and talks to residents who are likely to be affected by the decisions. If an application is sufficiently important or if it could affect the town generally (large residential developments or proposals within the Conservation Area for instance) the Sub-Committee arranges a public meeting so that the town's views are aired. These meetings are always well attended and promote lively discussion which feeds into the decision-making process. The majority of applications relate to extensions to houses, such as a new conservatory or kitchen enlargement. The Sub-Committee's philosophy in such cases is that there should be a presumption in favour of the applicant unless there are over-riding reasons for objecting or requiring amendments to the proposal, such as overlooking neighbours' gardens or being out of keeping with the surrounding area.
Over 300 planning applications have been reviewed by the Planning Sub-Committee during the last 4 years and some 6 public meetings have been held for large or contentious schemes. Most applications are domestic, such as conservatories or small extensions to houses; they do not usually cause any problem, although the Sub-Committee often visits the sites of such developments and talks with owners and neighbours where there is a possible conflict with neighbours' rights or where there may be an adverse impact on the area in general.
It is the larger schemes that provoke the most public interest and demand more detailed scrutiny. Such schemes during the last 4 years have included:
- Archstone Development's housing in the Dean; this was well planned and had minimal impact on neighbouring owners.
- Linden Homes' housing at rear of 16 to 20 Grange Road; the Sub-Committee recorded the local residents' concerns on planning and traffic/parking impact, which were taken into account in the finally approved scheme.
- Hankin's Garage site; this proposal was the subject of two public meetings which resulted in changes to alleviate traffic congestion in West Street and address concerns on pedestrian safety.
- Barratt Homes development at rear of 34 to 60 Grange Road: this application was also the subject of two public meetings where local residents expressed concern over traffic impact. Two detailed surveys and impact assessments were made before planning permission was granted, the planners are confident that there will not be a serious impact.
- Station Coal Yard development; this was opposed by NATC because the development appeared to be over dominant and not in keeping with its surroundings. It was permitted on appeal.
These developments, together with Orchard Dean, are nearing completion. These together with other smaller developments allowed during the last 18 months, mean that the housing stock of Alresford will have increased by about 60 dwellings in the space of 18 months. The Winchester and District Local Development Plan does not identify any particular requirement or target for housing in Alresford but our Council believes that a 10% increase (ie. About 200 dwellings) over the period of the plan, which ends in 2011, is the maximum that the Town's infrastructure could cope with. The Planning Committee will continue to look carefully at all future applications with this point in mind.