Mixed-use heritage redevelopment at Royal Hospital Haslar, Gosport

What was proposed

The application sought detailed approval for access, buildings, uses, landscaping and parking, including homes, commercial space, a hotel and heritage facilities.

“This application seeks the approval of details relating to access for the Outline development granted under application reference 12/00591/OUT for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for conversion of existing buildings and erection of 22,863 sqm of new buildings to provide 140 residential dwellings (use class C3), 16,905 sqm commercial floorspace to include hotel (use class C1), retail and food/beverage (use classes E and sui generis), offices (use class E),…”

“The proposals to which this application relates are as follows:”

Officer report

The site and its history

The former hospital is a nationally important historic site with listed buildings, a conservation area, a listed park and many burials.

“The former Haslar hospital site, dating from the mid-18th Century, covers 24 hectares and, despite having been the subject of a number of additions and alterations, is of significant national historic and archaeological importance, being the first purpose-built naval hospital in England. The site is located within the Haslar Peninsula Conservation Area and contains 13 Listings covering over 70 buildings or structures Listed directly or as curtilage (i.e.”

“The use of the site as a hospital ceased in July 2009 and it was purchased from the MoD by the applicants in November 2009. An application for Outline Permission, with all matters reserved, for the hospital site as a whole, reference 12/00591/OUT, was considered by the Regulatory Board on 15 July 2014 where it was resolved to grant Outline Planning Permission, subject to completion of a Section 106 Agreement and various conditions to control the form and timing of the…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the details were acceptable, heritage benefits outweighed limited harm, and the scheme would not harm amenity or highway safety.

“Having had special regard to the desirability of preserving the listed buildings and their settings, and to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, and having weighed the identified less than substantial harm against the public benefits in accordance with requirements of the NPPF, it is concluded that, on balance, the public benefits of the scheme outweigh the identified harm, subject to detailed control through the Listed Building Consent process.”

“The proposed development would lead to the creation of 140 dwellings at the site together with employment space, commercial units, a hotel, pub and restaurant, heritage centre and tea rooms. The parking SPD sets out that in order to accommodate the parking requirements of the site as a whole 1113 spaces would be required. The proposed development would lead to the provision of 1160 space, an over provision of 47 spaces.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative described collaboration on heritage and privacy, while the coffee business operators explained their plans for expanded food and drink uses.

Members’ discussion

Members asked about restaurant access and shoreline signage, welcomed the development and hoped bus services could return.

“A Member questioned how it would be communicated that access to the shoreline would be closed from dusk and it was advised that this would be made clear.”

“Members welcomed the proposals and the development of the important site, it would bring residential use and employment to the site. It was hoped that bus service provision could be returned but accepted this was outside of the control of the Council.”

Minutes

The vote

The Board resolved to approve the application subject to the conditions in the development management report.

“RESOVLED: That application 24/00313/DETS be approved subject to the conditions in the report of the Head of Development Management.”

Minutes