Coastal defence details at Southsea Seafront From Long Curtain Moat In The West To Eastney Marine Barracks In The East

What was proposed

Approval was sought for details reserved by 16 conditions of the permission for the coastal scheme, including landscaping, lighting, surfacing and roads.

“APPLICATION TO SEEK APPROVAL OF DETAILS RESERVED BY CONDITIONS 2 (PHASING PLAN), 3 (CONTAMINATED LAND), 5A AND 5B (ARCHAEOLOGY), 14 (BIODIVERSITY MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT PLAN), 16 (SOFT LANDSCAPING), 18 (DRAINAGE SCHEME), 19 (CONSTRUCTION ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN), 20 (CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN), 21 (LIGHTING), 22 (STREET FURNITURE), 24 (HARD SURFACING), 26 (ROADS AND FOOTPATHS), 28 (LAMP COLUMNS), 32 (SECONDARY DEFENCES), 34 (PRIMARY DEFENCES) OF PLANNING…”

Officer report

The site

The site covers 55.75 hectares along 4.5 kilometres of seafront from Long Curtain Moat to Eastney Esplanade.

“The application site covers 55.75 hectares. The linear shape site extends along a seafront frontage of 4.5km, from Long Curtain Moat (in the west) to Eastney Esplanade (in the east).”

“The seafront is characterised by long stretches of pebble beach separated to the west and east by Southsea Castle. A continuous promenade runs along the beach edge. An array of Victorian era street furniture includes (listed) cast-iron lamp columns and shelters. The promenade also hosts seven (listed) memorials/monuments including the RN War Memorial (Grade I). The application site covers three Conservation Area designations and three Scheduled Ancient Monuments.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

The coastal defence scheme received permission in 2019 and was followed by several applications for amendments to different sections.

“A planning application, 19/01097/FUL, for the flood defence works was submitted in July 2019. It constituted Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development and was accompanied by an Environmental Statement. It was determined by the Planning Committee on 4 December 2019 and planning permission granted, subject to conditions.”

“Since the original approval, 4 subsequent approvals under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 have been received, seeking minor amendments to sub- frontage 4 (Ref. 21/00820/VOC), sub-frontage 5 West (Ref 22/01720/VOC), sub-frontage 3 (Ref 23/00896/VOC), sub-frontage 2 (Ref 24/00987/VOC and sub-frontage 5 and 6 marine works (Ref 25/00374/VOC).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approving five condition details and delegating approval of the other submitted details, which they considered acceptable.

“It should be noted that this application (25/01479/DOC) also seeks Officer delegated approval for the details submitted pursuant to the following conditions: • Condition 2 (Phasing Plan), • Condition 3 (Contaminated Land), • Conditions 5a and 5b (Archaeology), • Condition 14 (Biodiversity Mitigation and Enhancement Plan), • Condition 18 (Drainage Scheme), • Condition 19 (Construction Environmental Management Plan), • Condition 20 (Construction Traffic Management Plan), • …”

“Delegated Approval for the details submitted pursuant to Conditions 2, Condition 3, Conditions 5a and 5b, Condition 14, Condition 18, Condition 19, Condition 20, Condition 28, Condition 32, and Condition 34”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Archaeology, coastal drainage, the Environment Agency, Natural England and Historic England raised no objection, while ecology requested more native species.

“Ecology: No objection, subject to the use of native species such as Armeria maritima (sea thrift), Glaucium flavum (yellow horned poppy), Crambe maritima (sea kale), Echium vulgare (Viper's bugloss / adderwort), Beta vulgaris (sea beet) and Eryngium maritimum (sea holly), etc. for the Promenade, terraced and SUDs areas should be increased.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A deputation supporting the application was made by a supporter and a supporting councillor.

Members discussed the scheme

Members supported committee involvement, described the seafront as something to celebrate and noted that the defences had protected the common during winter.

“Members' Questions. In response to questions, the following information was clarified by the Planning Officer: • Officers could discuss outside this meeting the possibility of including lockers, cold water showers and shelters along the promenade. • This development did not use any Community Infrastructure Level funds. • The decision is solely on the proposals set out in the report.”

“Members' Comments. During the discussion, members made the following comments: • This is a platform to celebrate the development of the seafront. • It is important that the Planning Committee is involved and approves any amendments. • The sea defences did their job this winter and any damage to the common was prevented.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the five specified condition details and delegated approval of the remaining submitted conditions.

“RESOLVED to: 1. Approve details submitted pursuant to Conditions 16, 21, 22, 24 and 26, and 2. Delegated Approval for the details submitted pursuant to Conditions 2, Condition 3, Conditions 5a and 5b, Condition 14, Condition 18, Condition 19, Condition 20, Condition 28, Condition 32, and Condition 34”

Minutes