The meeting primarily focused on planning applications, with significant discussions on flood defenses at Mariners Point and the enforcement action against an unauthorized houseboat development. The committee also approved external alterations to a former bank building in Southwick Square for potential use as a café.

Mariners Point Flood Defenses

Steve Stefton from the Mariners Point Resident Association raised concerns about inadequate flood defenses. He requested a site meeting with councillors, residents, and the Environment Agency to inspect the defenses and report back. The issues highlighted included:

• The flood defense wall at Surrey Hard being too low.
• Physical and installation defects in the flood defenses.
• Lack of a fit-for-purpose flood evacuation plan.
• No scheme for operating on-site flood defense measures.
• Structural defects in the building, causing water ingress in the underground car park.

Gary Peck, a council officer, acknowledged the concerns and promised to pass them on to the relevant officers and the Environment Agency for further action.

Unauthorized Houseboat Development

The committee discussed the enforcement action against an unauthorized houseboat development, referred to as Kingfisher, which had been constructed without planning permission. Key points included:

• The applicant withdrew their retrospective planning application, claiming planning permission was not required.
• Gary Peck, the planning officer, maintained that planning permission was necessary based on previous case law.
• The houseboat's height and mass were significantly larger than the previous boat, Laguna, causing an overbearing impact on nearby residents.
• The materials used, including rusty corrugated iron, were deemed unsightly and not in keeping with the area's character.

The committee voted to issue enforcement action to remove the unauthorized development, with a compliance period of three months.

External Alterations to Former Bank Building

The committee approved external alterations to a former bank building in Southwick Square for potential use as a café. The changes included replacing the existing windows with more suitable ones for a café setting. The use of the pavement for tables and chairs would require a separate pavement license. The committee noted that the revitalization of this space would benefit the local area.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Councillor Albury for her previous chairing of the committee.