IW Councillors Report: January 2013

Surgeries:

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 8^th January, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Tuesday 8^th January, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 16^th January, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 29^th January, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Tuesday 5^th February, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Tuesday 12^th February, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

5:30-6pm, Wednesday 20^th February, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 27^th February, Cowes Enterpise College, Avenue, Cowes.

Planning Support.

I am often contacted by householders requesting that I ‘support’ their planning applications.  Although I welcome the opportunity to support individuals affected by an application or by its progress, I always endeavour to make clear that I am unable to formally ‘support’ or ‘oppose’ applications until after the statutory timescales for comments.  Before, I sign off any application I do read all comments and discuss with officers what steps can be conditioned to overcome sustainable concerns.

In the meantime, I continue to welcome and support applicants discussing their plans with neighbours, and am happy to facilitate such discussions prior to submitting any formal Planning Application.

Planning Applications

I’m considering calling in an application to refuse extending 7 Battery Road, following no objections being received from either neighbours or Cowes Town Council.

Over Christmas a new application was advertised to redevelop 76 Worsley Road, Gurnard. This application proved to be a controversial when first advertised last year. At that time, there was 71 representations received in light of this initial application which is considerably high for a single dwelling replacement!  Subsequently after Christmas, I was pleased to get out and letterdrop householders in close proximity. 

Since signing off the original application, Planners have been working with the applicants to take a revised scheme forward.  Because of the strength of local feeling I’ve maintained a watching brief on this and have been lobbied by both the applicants, neighbours directly affected, objectors and supporters. Despite requests for support, I’ve made the point that IW Councillors are in no position to formally support or oppose any application prior to public consultation as this would compromise their position when determining applications. 

Prior to writing this report, Planning Officers have advised a further application has been received to develop at land at 44 Worsley Road, Gurnard.   This application includes a revised report over Housing Needs for Gurnard and is due to go out to public consultation on 18^th January.

Within the IW Planning Committee the Betty Haunt Lane Wind Turbine application was turned down, following an initial recommendation for approval by officers.  In light of new information concerning the impact of noise on an approved bungalow at Trumor Feeds in Forest Road, officers revised their recommendation from approval to refusal on this one factor alone (which I supported).  Following the 3½ hour hearing, Councillors supported this ground for refusal, but also added a conditional ground for refusal over their concerns of the visual impact of the turbines on the amenities of properties most notably in Forest Road (Although fully understanding committee members views on this, I felt uncomfortable on this extra reason as there was little evidence to substantiate this, in my opinion.)

Other applications the Planning Committee have determined includes a locally controversial application off Slay Lane, Whitwell; a conversion of a public toilet to a café on Sandown Esplanade and redevelopment of the former Gatten and Lake Primary School, Shanklin 

Cold Calling.

Prior to Christmas, further complaints were received concerning persistent cold calling in both Woodvale Road and Baring Road from Apple Home Improvements who have just moved into premises in Newport High Street.  This is the third instance of residents being targeted by sales people in the past 12 months.

In liaison with Trading Standards complaints have been made to the company.

Overnight Parking Restriction, Princes Esplanade Gurnard/ Egypt Esplanade, Cowes.

There has been some informal consultation on consideration of granting an overnight parking provision on Cowes/ Gurnard Esplanade, in last month’s Cowes Beacon, Gurnard News, the Cowes Magazine and through the IW County Press. 

My initial feeling from the responses so far received, is that any restriction would be an over-reaction to concerns expressed from residents about mobile homes parking. However, I intend to close the deadline later this month following discussing concerns with residents of Briary Court in the coming weeks. 

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership.

At the AONB Partnership it was reported that:

·         Proposals to construct 333 off-shore wind turbines 13.67km from the Needles has been moved fractionally closer to the Island following representations. It’s envisaged the full planning application will be made by Navitus in 2014.

·         Bembridge Parish Council has requested the support of the AONB Partnership to reinstate aspects of the coastal path lost during a landslip three years ago.

·         Work has commenced on the new AONB Management Plan for 2014-2019.

·         As yet there have been no substantiated instances of Ash Tree dieback on the Isle of Wight.  Concerns continue, given that many Island woodlands are dominated by Ash.

·         The Country Landowners Association has highlighted a willingness to discuss implications with ramblers, should the Isle of Wight be included within the National Coast Path.

·         Government are considering merging Natural England with the Environment Agency.

·         A new hoverfly has been discovered on the Isle of Wight on sand dunes, and the site is the only location in Britain where this species has been found (!)

Licensing Applications: Berties, Cowes.

I sat on the recent licensing hearing for Berties, (formerly Ocean World, High Street, Cowes) which was called following objections from Neighbours over the close proximity of their homes to the premises and over a perceived impact this licensed premise could have over children.

In light of this, both Environmental Health and the Police requested that conditions were applied to reduce hours etc., which the applicant was happy to adhere to.  On the proviso that these conditions were incorporated, and also in light of commendations by the police about the hands-on approach taken by the Licensee elsewhere the Licensing Committee supported this application.

Licensing Applications: McDonalds, Newport.

An application was also held following a request by McDonalds to extend opening hours beyond 11pm.

Concern was expressed by the police following regular crime and disorder incidents in and around the general proximity of the restaurant.  The Licensing Committee supported recommendations for staff to be trained to SIA door steward standard for those occasions when McDonalds opened beyond 11pm.

Cowes Enterprise College.

Following concerns expressed over the delayed construction of the new college, myself and Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox met with Director Stuart Love in order for us to be updated on progress.

Because of concerns being raised, a suggestion was put to circulate regular updates.  Whilst understanding there is sensitivity over the ongoing internal enquiry and commercial elements of the construction,  I would very much welcome all information that can be put in the public domain being made available to those interested.

In the last month, I:

·         Was requested through the Local Access Forum to arrange a meeting with the Head Of Highway’s to discuss the Forum’s concerns over dangerous locations where Public Bridleways and Footpaths exit onto roads.

·         Attended an Economy & Environment Scrutiny Panel meeting and challenged the Portfolio member for Highways on why delays had occurred in the publication of the IW Council’s Parking Strategy.

·         Kept busy over the Christmas break, whilst County Hall was closed, dealing with enquiries over iwight.com’s Planning portal and gritting/ salting routes.  During Christmas, residents without access to the internet  contacted me following confusion over waste collection times.  This is something that I’m anxious to pick up to ensure the same does not happen next year.

·         I attended a Southern Water seminar held in response to its community engagement.  I suggested to the company about the merits of holding regular meetings which could offer the opportunity for Parish and town councils and the wider community to have greater local input. This is something that participants supported and is being actively investigated by the company.