TrustNews Jun 21
Planning Appraisal Group
The Trust’s Planning Appraisal Group (PAG) panels have reviewed some 100 planning applications over the last few months, the majority being for extensions and loft extensions with associated dormer windows, which we sometimes consider to be inappropriate in size or design, or because they overlook neighbours.
One controversial application which has been publicised in the local media is for a 287-space multi-storey car park in Barfield Close. The Trust had supported last year’s application for a surface car park on this site with 123 spaces, but the multi-storey application came as a complete surprise to us, and to the residents of Domum Road. The Trust joined the residents in objecting to this application, on the basis that the applicants (the Council itself) had not made a case for the change to a multi-storey car park, and that the building was too large and too dominant on this site. We were very disappointed that the Council’s Planning Committee approved the application, with seven councillors in favour and one abstention.
The PAG panels have done really well to maintain their monthly virtual meetings and enable meaningful comments and assessments to be fed back to the Council, in respect of each individual planning application. As the new chair of PAG, l will be liaising with the PAG panel members on a regular basis and acting as the link between them and the City Council planning department.
During lockdown, PAG's regular contact with the Council has not happened, so we are pleased that a meeting has been arranged with Julie Pinnock, WCC Planning Service Lead - Built Environment, to determine how future meetings can be conducted on a regular basis. These meetings provide a platform for resolving any concerns/issues we have, clarifying planning policies and giving and receiving feedback. The very sad loss of Shione Carden and the retirement of Mary Tiles leaves us with a responsibility to maintain their efforts and successful achievements in coordinating our relationship with the Council.
Once again we thank the PAG panels, who are all volunteers, for carrying out their important work. We are always interested in recruiting new panel members, so please do contact Tessa at secretary@cityofwinchestertrust.co.uk if you have an interest in planning and development in Winchester and would be interested in joining. It’s not a big commitment - just an hour or two per month.
Graeme Stevenson
Members and Public Comments
The Trust welcomes informative comments from local people, but must avoid being influenced by vested interests or personal matters. Individuals who believe their interests are being threatened by proposed schemes are advised to contact their Ward Councillors, who have more influence over such matters. If you would like to see details of Trust objections to planning applications and their fate, please go to the monthly PAG reports on our website.