Development Committee

This is part of the WHITCHURCH TOWN COUNCIL’S STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES 2010 –2011.

The Development Committee is responsible for decisions on individual planning applications and planning matters,affecting Whitchurch and the whole region. Its brief also includes business development,street lighting,transport,road safety and parking issues,street cleaning,and street furniture.

Overall Objectives

To work for local jobs,employing local people;
To support business to thrive and expand in Whitchurch;
To balance the,sometimes,competing needs of Whitchurch Conservation Area,the business community and the local population;
To forge links with organisations to help promote Whitchurch;
To represent the views and needs of Whitchurch in the regional planning context;
To carry out effectively the duties required in the first stage of the Town Planning process;to continue to monitor developments in the Local Plan,and seek to influence them for the benefit of Whitchurch;to consider all planning applications and respond promptly;
To prepare and observe a street lighting policy;
To respond appropriately to street lighting needs:
To ensure street lighting faults are identified,reported and corrected expeditiously;
To contribute to road safety;
To work for adequate car parking facilities;
To work along with the relevant authorities to improve and enhance rural public transport;
To work to reduce noise pollution from the A34 (T) by monitoring and pressing for the provision of early noise mitigation measures and to consider all planning applications in the vicinity of the road with particular reference to the effect of noise from the by-pass.
To work for a clean and “cared-for” environment.

Constraints

Economic activity is predominantly affected by decisions taken at a national level. Population growth is also outside Council’s control. Although the Town Council would not wish to prevent development in Whitchurch,it can and does work to prevent over-development.
It intends to:

Protect the quality of life,and the appearance and integrity of the Town;
Prevent disruptive or inappropriate developments,ensuring that the infrastructure can support same;
Help ensure that the views of the Townsfolk are heard on these issues.

Specific Objectives

Ref.No.	Objective	Comment/Achievement
D1	In respect of car parking and traffic flow:
	The Town Council will actively represent the views of local people and press for the best outcome from Borough and County parking and traffic surveys.	Continue to take watching brief over the County Council’s traffic surveys,and take active involvement in any ensuing public consultations.
	Parking
	To actively continue to lobby for a new car park for Whitchurch Railway Station.	On-going.
	To retain maximum on-street parking for residents,whilst maintaining road safety.	Principal Consultee to the Parking Prohibition/Provision study. Phase 2 – roads in the vicinity of the railway station and Winchester Road. On-going. WTC requested additional section of pavement on the east side of Rampton Rd. Installed late 2008 – 2009. Daniel Road. Additional parking installed on highway verge and open space,late 2008 – 2009. Lobbying HCC/BDBC for more appropriate parking restriction/provision in the vicinity of the junction of Micheldever Road with Winchester Road. Public consultation Jan. 2010
	To promote traffic calming throughout the Town.
	Gateway sign and speed limit zone re-located on Newbury Road,(old A34) is not effective. Requested re-location of Gateway and 30 mph sign to nearer railway bridge and install 40 mph sign at the site of the current gateway feature.	BDBC approved re-location. Work to be carried out in 2009 – 2010. Still on-going.
	To warn/alert speeding motorists.	SLR annual share-lease with Overton commenced Jan. 2009. Lease renewed for 2010 –2011
D2	In respect of transport issues:
	To encourage the provision of improved transport facilities.
	To support and promote the Whitchurch Community Bus.	On-going.
D3	In respect of planning issues:
D3	Lobby for greater T.C. influence in the planning process.	On-going.
D4	In respect of local business:
	To support initiatives which help and encourage the retail businesses in Whitchurch.	Mayor’s Cup awarded annually for the best Public House floral display. Mayor’s Cup awarded annually for the best-dressed Shop Window at Christmas. Active involvement in the annual “Christmas in Whitchurch”.
	To support the businesses of the Industrial Estate through the Ardglen Business Forum.	Clerk administers the Ardglen Business Forum.
D5	In respect of pavements:
	To strive to improve access throughout the Town for able-bodied,disabled and less able-bodied persons.
	To secure dropped kerbs that facilitate easy and safe passage for wheelchairs,buggies etc.	Clerk met with H.C.C. Officers for Street Audit,Summer 2006. Action subject to funding. Street Audit “Wish list” up-dated Autumn 2008. Street Audit “Wish list” up-dated Winter 2009/2010. Continue to lobby authorities.
D6	In respect of Street Lighting:
	To strive to maintain a fully functioning (WTC) street lamp network.	WTC resolved to enter South Coast Street Lighting Pfi in 2010 – 2011.
	To monitor and report (HCC) street lighting faults.
D7	In respect of Built Environment:
	To monitor and report highway faults to the relevant Authority.	On-going. Street Audit “Wish list” up-dated Winter 2009/2010. Continue to lobby authorities.
	To keep (WTC) public seats in good repair.	Rolling programme for annual maintenance of public seats 2010 – 2011 approved.
	To provide and maintain bus shelters.	Repair to Winchester Road Bus shelter – Feb 2010.
D8	In respect of the Environment:
	To provide an efficient,friendly litter collecting service,working in harmony with B&DBC Direct Services Organisation.	On-going.
	To continue to lobby the Highways Agency for noise mitigating measures for the A34(T).	On-going.
D9	Other:
D9	To work in collaboration with the Whitchurch Association on allied projects,for the benefit of the community.	On-going.

Events

Development Committee

Overall Objectives

Constraints

Specific Objectives