Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 February 2019 (to be laid on the table half an hour before the meeting).

The minutes of the meeting which took place on 20 February 2019 were agreed and signed.

To receive apologies for absence.

Where a Member of the Committee is unable to attend a meeting, a substitute Member from the same Area Planning Committee may attend, speak and vote in their place for that meeting.

Members are advised that in order for a substitute to be arranged, a Member must give four clear working days notice of their apologies. For this meeting, the latest date apologies can be given for a substitute to be arranged is Wednesday 27 February 2019.

There was apologies for absence from Councillors Denis Leigh Nick Williams, Val Henry, Mike Band and Liz Townsend. Councillor Andrew Bolton attended as a substitute.

To receive from Members declarations of interests in relation to any items included on the Agenda for this meeting in accordance with the Waverley Code of Local Government Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman to respond to any questions received from members of the public of which notice has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.

The deadline for receipt of questions is 5pm on Wednesday 27 February 2019.

There were none.

The Chairman to respond to any questions received from Members in accordance with Procedure Rule 11.

The deadline for receipt of questions is 5pm on Wednesday 27 February 2019.

There were none.

Planning Performance and the Government target on quality on planning decision making will now be a standard item on the Joint Planning Committee agenda. This was an agreed recommendation at Executive on 28 November 2017 and is part of the Development Management Service Improvement Plan.

The latest available statistics will be included with the update sheet.

The performance against government targets was noted.

Proposal

Erection of extensions to existing hotel and spa buildings together with the erection of new buildings in 4 phases together with associated parking and demolition of existing extension and outbuildings. Phase 1 Erection of roof to open courtyard area; Phase 2 New wedding/conference building; Phase 6 Extension to existing gym and spa building; Phase  7 Extensions to provide a restaurant and bedroom wing; and associated works (amended description) (as amended by plans and additional information received 25/08/2017, 21/12/2017, 09/11/2018 and 10/12/2018).

Recommendation

That permission be REFUSED.

Proposed development

Erection of extensions to existing hotel and spa buildings together with the erection of new buildings in 4 phases together with associated parking and demolition of existing extension and outbuildings. ;- Phase 1 Erection of roof to open courtyard area; Phase 2 New wedding/conference building; Phase 6 Extension to existing gym and spa building; Phase  7 Extensions to provide a restaurant and bedroom wing; and associated works (amended description)

With reference to the report circulated with the agenda, Officers presented a summary of the planning context for making a decision on the application, and then outlined the proposed development including site plans and the layout. Officers outlined the determining issues and those matters of a more subjective nature.

The Committee was advised that since the agenda papers had been published

there had been an additional response from the Surrey Wildlife trust making comments in relation to the amended proposals. These comments supported the conclusions of officers which were set out in the agenda report. There had been additional comments from the applicant and Members received the confidential viability reports submitted by the applicants.

Public speaking

In accordance with the Council’s arrangements for public participation at meetings, the following made representations in respect of the application, which were duly considered:

Ian Ellis – Objector

Cllr Pamela Bradley – Haslemere Town Council

Janet Long - Applicant/Agent

Debate

Councillor Mulliner opened debate by questioning the ambitions of the hotel. He felt that the applicant was going for a 5* establishment but, considering the size of the plot, they could not offer 5* facilities, such as a golf course. He questioned, as did other Councillors whether or not the Hotel needed to go for the full extent of re-generation but could still be viable with a smaller development of its current facilities.

There was concern expressed by Councillors that by going for the full extent of development, if the scheme was still unviable, this could lead them to a future decision on an application being brought forward for this to be converted to flats/housing.

The Vice-Chairman gave detail to the background to the application and how that it initially was going to come to an area committee but, due to its economic significance to the Borough, felt that it should come to a Joint Planning Committee. Councillor Carole Cockburn also raised the need for a venue in the Borough for visitors and this would have benefits for Haslemere both economically and for emplyment. She welcomed the expansion of the hotel as long as this was not to the detriment to the ancient woodland.

Councillor Andrew Bolton agreed that the borough was short of good hotels but was concerned about the size of the proposal. Councillor Mary Foryszewski also raised concern about the implications for the equestrian facility neighbouring the site and the noise that could result from the proposals. Councillor Simon Inchbald also raised concern about the size of the proposal and the damage that had already been made to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.