The Planning Committee of Havant Borough Council met on Thursday, 13 June 2024, to discuss several planning applications and related matters. Key topics included the approval of a new accessible changing places facility on Hayling Island, the installation of a hard stand for electric vehicle charging in Havant, the erection of a new dwelling in Waterlooville, and the approval of reserved matters for a pipeline project in Bedhampton.

Accessible Changing Places Facility on Hayling Island

The committee approved an application (APP/24/00211) to extend the existing public toilet block opposite Chichester Avenue on Hayling Island to include an accessible changing places facility. The facility will be managed by the council and will not require radar keys for access. Instead, a registration or membership scheme will be implemented. The committee discussed the design and the needs of disabled people in the area before granting permission, subject to conditions including adherence to approved plans and matching external materials.

Hard Stand for Electric Vehicle Charging in Havant

An application (APP/24/00130) for the installation of a hard stand/drive on part of the front garden at 2 Towers Gardens, Havant to support the charging of electric vehicles was discussed. The committee considered the site's planning history and the impact of an Article 4 Direction, which restricts certain developments in conservation areas. The committee requested additional information on how the front garden could be landscaped without requiring planning permission. The decision was deferred pending further clarification.

New Dwelling in Waterlooville

The committee reviewed an application (APP/24/00117) for the erection of a three-bedroom dwelling on land adjacent to 1 Minters Lepe, Waterlooville. The site viewing working party had previously assessed the site and its impact on visibility and access arrangements. One letter of representation was received, raising concerns about the notification process and the impact on views. The committee noted that there is no right to a view and that the neighbour notification process was carried out in accordance with the council's Statement of Community Involvement. The application was approved.

Bedhampton Pumping Station Pipeline Project

The committee discussed an application (APP/24/00204) for the approval of reserved matters related to Shaft 1 of the pipeline project from Bedhampton Springs to Havant Thicket Reservoir. The Bedhampton Pumping Station project is part of a larger scheme approved in outline in 2021. The Environment Agency and Highways Authority raised no objections, but the Havant Borough Residents Alliance objected on grounds of prematurity and potential future use by Southern Water. The committee noted that the current application is for raw water transmission only and does not include recycled water. The application was approved, with the understanding that future applications will be assessed on their own merits.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the Minutes of Previous Meeting and the Public reports pack.