Care home and five homes at Land West Of Lockswood Road, Warsash

What was proposed

The hybrid application sought an 80-bed care home with access, parking and landscaping, plus outline permission for up to five dwellings.

“FULL PLANNING PERMISION – DEMOLITION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AND ERECTION OF 80 BED CARE HOME (C2) WITH ASSOCIATED ACCESS, PARKING AND LANDSCAPING”

“OUTLINE PLANNING PERMISSION – ERECTION OF UP TO FIVE DWELLINGS (ALL MATTERS RESERVED EXCEPT FOR ACCESS)”

Officer report

The site

The site lies west of Lockswood Road within the urban settlement boundary and a residential allocation, with redundant greenhouses, grassland, trees and hedgerows.

“Site Description 2.1 The application site lies within the urban settlement boundary to the west of Lockswood Road just to the north of the roundabout at the junction with Warsash Road.”

“The northern part of the site is currently occupied by large horticultural greenhouses which have become redundant in recent years. To the east of the greenhouses adjacent to Lockswood Road extends a triangular shaped area of grassland. There is a significant tree belt/hedgerow along the eastern site boundary running parallel with Lockswood Road. A dropped kerb and five bar gate provide access to the site from Lockswood Road, although this access is not in frequent use.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, considering the proposal consistent with planning policies and acceptable for design, highways, ecology, trees and habitat sites with mitigation.

“Subject to appropriate mitigation, it is considered that the proposal would not have any adverse impact on ecology, trees, habitat sites or highway safety.”

“The proposal is considered to accord with the relevant policies of the Fareham Local Plan 2037 and Supplementary Planning Documents and Officers recommend that planning permission is granted.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, Natural England, archaeology, Southern Water, ecology, environmental health and contaminated-land consultees raised no objection, subject to specified measures or conditions.

“Natural England 7.5 No objection. Natural England considers that without appropriate mitigation the application would have an adverse effect on the integrity of European designated sites. Your appropriate assessment concludes that your authority is able to ascertain that the proposal will not result in adverse effects on the integrity of any of the European sites in question.”

“Environmental Health (Contaminated Land) 7.15 No objection subject to condition…”

Officer report

What people objected to

Ten representations raised concerns about traffic, road safety, cycling, buses, wildlife, trees, drainage, water supply, healthcare, housing need and construction disruption.

“Representations 6.1 Ten representations have been received (including one from the Fareham Society) raising the following concerns:”

“Site location plan is outdated and does not show all recent development in the area • Safety concerns in relation to junction on to Lockswood Road • Increased traffic • Visitors and staff will not cycle to the site • Local bus service is inadequate and shift working will inhibit use • Internal roads not wide enough for refuse vehicles and emergency services • Western boundary should be made impenetrable to construction traffic and future residents • Housing is not needed •…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A deputation was received by the committee.

The committee vote

The officer recommendation was proposed and seconded, then carried with nine votes in favour and none against.

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

Minutes