Up to 82 dwellings at Land at Campsfield, Linfield Close, Southwater

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions and a section 106 agreement, with flexibility to amend conditions if water neutrality requirements changed.

“RECOMMENDATION: To approve outline planning permission subject to appropriate conditions and subject to the completion of the necessary section 106 agreement within four months of the decision of this Committee, or such longer period as is agreed by the Director of Place acting reasonably and properly, with authority delegated to the Head of Development and Building Control to remove and/or replace any the conditions which become unnecessary as a result of the potential…”

Officer report

Issues officers assessed

Officers concluded that cumulative highways impacts, construction access and water availability had been suitably addressed.

“Provided as part of the application at this stage, have been several alternatives to using Centenary Road for construction access to the site (Framework Construction Environmental Management Plan, dated April 2025), which include basic tracking diagrams.”

“The press release states that ‘Under the agreement by Defra, Natural England, the Environment Agency and Southern Water, the water company will change its water abstraction permits to limit the amount of water taken from local rivers and wetlands, as well as provide funding to restore habitats.’ The press release goes on to state that ‘New homes will also be built to higher water efficiency standards in line with the building regulation guidance for water scarce areas,…”

Officer report

Who spoke

One member of the public spoke in support, while Southwater Parish Council and the ward member spoke against the proposal.

What members discussed

Members sought clarification about construction access and raised concerns about protecting trees along the access route.

“Members requested clarification regarding the approval of the construction access and expressed concerns regarding protection of the trees lining the access route.”

“Members also requested that an informative be added that construction access route option 2 was pursued, once Condition 8 was discharged.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to a legal agreement, amended condition 8 and an informative pursuing construction access option 2.

“That DC/25/0102 be approved subject to the completion of a legal agreement in accordance with officer recommendation, with condition 8 amended to require consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair.”

“And with the addition of the following Informative: The applicant is requested to pursue the construction access route Option 2 as shown in the ‘Framework Construction Environmental Management Plan, April 2025’ (received 26.06.2025) in the discharge of condition 8.”

Minutes