Industrial building changes at 8 Downley Road, Havant

What was proposed

The application sought to vary plans and drainage conditions for an approved industrial redevelopment, including changes to parking, landscaping and surface-water management.

“Following review of the LLFA’s consultation response, our drainage engineer has identified an alternative solution that improves the way surface water is managed on site. Specifically, the underground tanks have been reconfigured to be shallower and slightly larger in area.”

“We propose the following revised wording for Condition 23: The development shall be carried out in full accordance with the updated Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Note prepared by I&L Consulting Ltd (dated 23rd May 2025), including: • Proposed Drainage Plan (Construction) – Drawing No.”

Officer report

The site

The 1.7-hectare site is in an established industrial area beside a railway, with residential properties beyond, and lies in Flood Zone 1.

“The application site, within New Lane industrial area measures approximately 1.7ha. The site is located on the eastern side of Downley Road, which has single yellow lines on both sides of the road. The site is bound by the railway line to the east, with residential properties beyond. The site is 1.5km from Warblington Train Station (approximately 20 minute walk) and 1.8km from Havant Train Station (approximately 23 minute walk).”

“The site was last occupied by Dunham-Bush (HVAC), who were manufacturers of air conditioning and heating products. Until recently, the site comprised large, vacant, dilapidated buildings with a large workshop to rear of the site with a saw-tooth roof design and attached offices to the front, which were two storeys in height with a flat roof design.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

The existing buildings were demolished under prior approval, and permission for a single industrial building divided into three units was granted in May 2025; construction has begun.

“APP/24/00606 - Demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of the industrial site comprising of a single industrial building, split into three units having a flexible set of mixed industrial uses. This includes use classes E(g) (iii), B2 and B8 along with ancillary offices, car parking, yard areas, soft landscaping and associated infrastructure. PERMIT 08/05/2025”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the revised drainage would infiltrate surface water on site, while parking, landscaping, biodiversity and groundwater impacts were acceptable.

“The current application seeks to vary planning conditions 2 (plan numbers) and 23 (drainage) of the extant planning permission APP/24/00606. The applicant has stated that ‘Following review of the LLFA’s consultation response, our drainage engineer has identified an alternative solution that improves the way surface water is managed on site. Specifically, the underground tanks have been reconfigured to be shallower and slightly larger in area.”

“The site is located within Groundwater Source Protection 1c for Bedhampton and Havant Springs. Following a consultation response from Portsmouth Water, Officers are satisfied that the proposed drainage scheme would not result in any material harm to groundwater.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The flood authority, highway authority, landscape team, ecologist and Portsmouth Water raised no objections; no public representations were received.

“Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) Hampshire County Council as Lead Local Flood Authority has provided comments in relation to the above application in our role as statutory consultee on surface water drainage for major developments. This response does not reflect the position of Hampshire County Council as the Highway Authority. If there is a potential for the drainage features to be…”

“HCC Highway Authority Thank you for your consultation on the above planning application. The applicant is seeking to vary conditions 2 and 23 of outline planning consent APP/24/00606. Condition 2 relates to highway matters and the applicant is seeking to vary the car parking layout, with the quantum approved under the planning consent to remain the same.”

Officer report

What local people said

The application was publicised to 44 people, but no public comments were received.

“This application was publicised in accordance with the Council's Local Code of Corporate Governance and the Statement of Community Involvement.”

“Public comments - Number of representations received: 0”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent addressed the committee and repeated the points in the written deputation submitted for the applicant.

Committee discussion

Members heard that the layout had not changed, the building would separate nearby houses from industrial noise, and flexible use could allow light or general industrial businesses.

“In response to questions from members of the Committee, [name withheld] advised that;”

“the layout has not changed, the building is located between the railway and closest houses, providing some protection from industrial noise for the houses; and • the proposed flexible use could result in any light or general industrial use business occupying the site…”

Minutes

The decision

The committee granted permission subject to no material planning objections before the consultation deadline and the listed conditions.

“RESOLVED that application APP/25/00603 be granted permission subject to:”

“A) No objections on material planning grounds being received prior to the expiry of the public consultation period associated with the press advert on 23 rd January 2026; and B) The following conditions:”

Minutes