The Rushmoor Borough Council Development Management Committee is scheduled to meet on 8 October 2025 to discuss planning applications, a request to relax age restrictions on a flat, and a report on planning appeals. The committee will also appoint a chair and vice-chair for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year.

Wellesley Development Zone G Planning Application

A report in the public reports pack includes a reserved matters application for the construction of 90 residential dwellings in Development Zone G (Pennefathers) of the Aldershot Urban Extension¹, known as Wellesley. The application, reference 25/00287/REMPP, seeks approval for reserved matters relating to scale and external appearance, landscaping, ecology, remediation, air quality, heritage trail details, infrastructure and drainage, trees, levels, and construction management.

The application site is located within the south-western part of Wellesley, bounded by Pennefather's Road and Development Zone B (Corunna) to the north, Knollys Road to the south-east, and Farnborough Road to the west. The eastern corner of the site is visible from Queen's Avenue. The site has been cleared of buildings, except for Bradgate House, which is to be converted to residential use. The southern and western boundaries are defined by established woodland. Notable features include the Tumulus (M2) and the locally listed Memorial to IRA Victims. The site lies within the Aldershot Military Conservation Area.

The proposed development includes a mix of houses and flats, ranging from two to three storeys, with single-storey garages and ancillary stores. There would be 32 affordable housing units. Vehicular and pedestrian access to the site would be from Pennefather's Road to the north.

The report notes that a number of amendments have been made to the proposals in response to consultee feedback. Objections have been received from residents within the Corunna Development Zone B, Cambridge Military Hospital Development Zone C and Stanhope Lines East Development Zone K, with concerns raised about building works, infrastructure, traffic, and highway safety.

The report assesses the application against various policies of the Rushmoor Local Plan², including those relating to sustainable development, spatial strategy, Wellesley, infrastructure, transport, heritage, design, housing mix, affordable housing, and biodiversity.

The report states that the proposed development would deliver 35.5% affordable housing, with an appropriate tenure split and two wheelchair user units. The scheme has been designed on a tenure-blind basis, with all affordable homes meeting the Nationally Described Space Standards³.

The report also notes that the applicant, Miller Homes, engaged with Rushmoor Borough Council to secure amendments and improvements to the layout, detailed design, and overall character and appearance of the proposed development.

The report recommends that reserved matters approval is granted subject to conditions.

Aldershot Lido Canopy Structure Planning Application

A report in the public reports pack includes an application, reference 25/00396/FULPP, for the installation of a free-standing aluminium-framed canopy structure with an integrated solar panel system on the roof in a grassed area at Aldershot Lido.

The proposed canopy structure would be 15 metres long by 3.8 metres wide, supported by eight slim metal posts, and have a height of between 3.3 to 3.7 metres. The metal frame structure would have an anthracite grey finish and be roofed with polycarbonate roof sheets with solar panels fitted on top. The solar panels would be monocrystalline type with an estimated output of 410-435 watts per panel, with a total of 21 panels installed.

The report notes that the Lido site is located outside the defined urban area of Aldershot and is identified as 'countryside' and 'open space' in the Rushmoor Local Plan. The report assesses the application against policies relating to sustainable development, spatial strategy, design, open space, trees and landscaping, biodiversity, and the countryside.

The report states that the proposed development would be a small-scale, low-impact addition to the site and would not be readily visible from outside the site. It also states that the proposed canopy structure would not appear out of place within the Lido site and would not have any material and harmful visual impact.

The report recommends that planning permission is granted subject to conditions.

Flat No. 2 Phoenix Court Age Restriction

The committee will consider a report, also included in the public reports pack, regarding a request to relax a clause in a legal agreement restricting the age of occupiers of Flat No. 2 Phoenix Court, Elms Road, Aldershot.

Phoenix Court comprises 23 flats. In 1987, planning permission was granted with a legal agreement that placed an age restriction on six ground floor flats, requiring them to be occupied by at least one person of pensionable age. This was due to parking standards at the time.

The report notes that the Council has received a request from the executor of the estate of the late occupier of Flat No.2 Phoenix Court to lift the age restriction to enable the property to be sold.

The report states that all 23 flats in Phoenix Court have been notified of the request, and comments have been received from the occupier of Flat 5, who objects, and Merlin Estates, the Management Company, who support the relaxation.

The report notes that the age restriction was imposed because the developer was unable to provide enough parking on the site to meet the minimum parking standards at the time. However, the Council's parking requirements have since changed significantly, and the existing level of on-site parking provision is now acceptable for general residential accommodation.

The report recommends that the Corporate Manager Legal Services be authorised to advise the person making the request that the council does not intend to enforce the age restriction.

Appeals Progress Report

The committee will consider a report on the progress of recent planning appeals.

The report notes that an appeal against the refusal of a planning application to increase outdoor building-materials storage heights to 5.5m at Unit 1, 106 Hawley Lane, Farnborough, in the Hawley Lane Employment Area, has been allowed.

The Council had refused the application because it considered that the increased storage heights would harm the open character of the employment area. However, the Inspector concluded that the increased storage heights would not result in a materially harmful visual change to the character or appearance of the locality.

The report recommends that the report be noted.