REPORT
OF HEAD OF PLANNING SERVICES
RED
FUNNEL (PHOENIX YARD) – SECOND MEETING OF LOCAL FORUM
Summary
To
inform the Committee about the outcome of the second meeting of the local
forum.
Members are reminded that
at the meeting held on 20 May 2003 an application for removal/variation of
conditions on two separate extant permissions to allow parking of commercial
vehicles and trailers across the major part of the marshalling/parking area at
Phoenix Yard for a temporary period was refused permission.
Notwithstanding this
decision it was decided to establish a local forum and defer any decision on
possible enforcement action in respect of any breaches of planning control on
the site.
The initial meeting of the
local forum was held at East Cowes Town Hall on 24 June 2003.
The application for village
green status on land at Whippingham was considered by the Regulatory Committee
on 27 June 2003, where it was decided that the matter should be the subject of
an independent inquiry.
Members received a report
at the meeting held on 1 July 2003 in connection with the initial meeting of
the local forum. In accordance with the
recommendation it was decided to continue with the forum and further delay any
decision on possible enforcement action on the basis that there are definite
indications of progress and, in these circumstances, agree it would not be
prudent to pursue any current breaches of planning control.
The second meeting of the
local forum took place on 24 July 2003.
This report was prepared on
30 July 2003.
Red Funnel should have made
a presentation to Members on 5 August 2003 about their proposals to develop a
trailer park on land off Whippingham Road/East Cowes Road.
A third meeting of the
forum was scheduled for 7 August 2003.
Relevant Issues
Discussion focussed on the
following areas.
·
Red Funnel confirmed
that they had investigated a number of issues arising from the initial meeting
of the forum.
·
Red Funnel confirmed
that it was their intention to submit an application at Whippingham Road/East
Cowes Road by the end of August 2003.
·
Local residents raised a
number of points previously discussed at the initial meeting and referred back
to the “lack of trust” in Red Funnel in terms of any commitments they may
undertake to improve the present situation.
·
Red Funnel produced a
written document outlining a possible short term solution to the problem at
Phoenix Yard which, in their view, included benefits for the local residents
while not seriously compromising their present commercial operations.
Outcomes
Councillor Mrs Muriel
Miller, acting as Chairman, obtained the following commitments from those
attending the meeting.
·
Red Funnel gave an
undertaking to give serious consideration to suggestions put forward by local
residents that Trinity Yard should become the main focus of the commercial
operation during hours of darkness.
·
Red Funnel would not
submit a planning application in advance of the next meeting of the forum,
scheduled for 7 August 2003.
·
The local residents
would give due consideration to the details of the proposed application
produced by Red Funnel.
Options
1.
To continue with the
local forum and further defer any decision on possible enforcement action on
the basis that there are definite indications of progress as well as the
possibility of an amended planning application and, in these circumstances,
agree it would not be prudent to pursue any current breaches of planning
control.
2.
To abandon the local
forum, carry out a monitoring exercise, and if there are any breaches of
control identified, take enforcement action through the service of an
Enforcement Notice or a Breach of Condition Notice.
Conclusion
Although difficult,
progress has been made and there is now the possibility of an amended
application which may lead to a short term negotiated solution in terms of the
operation insofar as it affects Phoenix Yard.
I maintain the view that the avoidance of a confrontational situation
arising from the decision to refuse permission by taking enforcement action,
should be supported, and hopefully, this particular decision to get the
applicants and the local community “round the table” could serve as a model for
future similar cases.
While I accept that these
discussions should not be over an indefinite time period I am optimistic that
this somewhat innovative approach may well result in progress and possible
solutions to the present difficulties.
Recommendation
To continue with the local forum and further defer any
decision on possible enforcement action on the basis that there are definite
indications of progress as well as the possibility of an amended planning
application and, in these circumstances, agree it would not be prudent to
pursue any current breaches of planning control.
C S HOUGHAM
Development Control
Manager