Truck stop and charging station at Land At Boarhunt Road Junction 11 Of The M27, Fareham

“Description of Proposal 3.1 This outline application proposes use of the site for three purposes; an electric vehicle (EV) charging station, a truck stop, and port operational/storage land in association with Portsmouth International Port (PIP).”

“In terms of the intended occupants of the port storage and operational areas, the applicant advises that should planning permission be granted they would be willing to accept a planning condition which would limit use of the land to being directly related to Portsmouth International Port (PIP). PIP manage and operate the Port infrastructure within the city but the land at the Port is leased by their ‘customers’ (ie. Brittany Ferries, Condor, Portico etc).”

“Site Description 2.1 The site is located within the countryside and lies to the north of the M27 close to junction 11. The site also falls within the Portsdown Hill Area of Special Landscape Quality (ASLQ).”

“Two Scheduled Ancient Monuments are located within close proximity to the site. The first of these is a World War II Heavy Anti-aircraft gun-site located at Monument Farm approximately 400m to the east of the site and the second is Fort Nelson which is located approximately 850m to the east of the site. Fort Nelson is also a Grade I Listed Building. The Downbarn Farmhouse which is a Grade II Listed Building is also located within close proximity to the west of the site.”

“A large part of the site is temporarily being used as a construction compound by the firm Morgan Sindall in association with the National Highways upgrade works to the M27 Motorway. The compound comprises hardstanding used for car parking, vehicle movement and turning in addition to the outdoor storage of materials and machinery. There are also a number of double height portacabins stationed within the compound which are used for offices and facilities.”

“Prior to the use of the site for the processing of waste and as a temporary highways compound commencing, the lawful use of the site was for agriculture. Aerial photography of the site shows this to be the case in 2017, with the site in arable use, by 2020 both the highway compound and waste recycling facility are evident. No planning permission has been granted by the Council for development on the site, including for the site to be used for any particular purposes.”

“Officers have carefully assessed the proposals against the relevant paragraphs contained within the NPPF and the relevant policies of the Fareham Local Plan 2037. The site lies outside of the defined Urban Area Boundary. Officers consider that the principle of the development of the site could be considered to be meeting an overriding public need in accordance with Policy DS1(h).”

“Officers consider the environmental benefits of the EV charging station should be given significant weight in favour of the proposal within the planning balance as set out in para 168(a) of the NPPF. Officers consider that only limited weight should be attributed to the other environmental benefits of the proposal referred to which include; a potential improvement of local air quality, native planting, creation of new habitats and on-site biodiversity net gain.”

“Representations 6.1 Seven letters of representation have been received (including from The Fareham Society and Campaign to Protect Rural England CPRE) which raise the following concerns:”

“Impact on Landscape Character • Development within ASLQ in a prominent location • Conflict with Policy DS3 • Council’s Landscape Assessment (2017) identified limited scope for development • The temporary use of the site would not justify the current proposal as the site is due to be vacated in 2026 • Proposed development more intrusive than existing development • Landscaping would not be appropriate or effective at screening development • Light pollution…”

“Upon being proposed and seconded the officer recommendation to: -”

“(i) GRANT outline planning permission, subject to: -”

“(ii) Authority DELEGATED to the Head of Planning to: -”