The Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee (CFH LAC) met on Wednesday 10 September 2025, and approved increases to local fees and charges, and granted permission for amended plans for extensions to a property on Ionic Close. The committee also received an update on the number 44 bus route, and noted recent planning appeals.

Fees and Charges

The committee approved increases to fees and charges for services devolved to the Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee, to take effect from 1 October 2025.

The increases are intended to meet a corporate target to maximise income where possible, with an expected minimum yield increase of 4.4%, based on the May 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 1%.

The proposed changes, detailed in Appendix 1 for Fees and Charges 2025, include:

• Cemetery fees: Increases to internment fees for single and double depth burials, cremated remains, scattering ashes, and additional charges for 24-hour burial services and weekend/late funerals.
• Exclusive burial rights: Increases to the cost of plots selected by the council and by the purchaser for both adults and cremated remains.
• Memorials: Increases to the cost of inscribing vases, any memorial (including a memorial licence for 10 years), additional inscriptions, memorial shrubs/roses for 7 years, memorial benches for additional 7 years, transferral of burial deeds and genealogy searches.

Double charges will be applied to non-residents (after two years outside the borough), with an exception for residents who move outside the borough for specialist nursing home or hospital care.

The committee also reviewed cemetery charges set by neighbouring local authorities, including Test Valley and Bishopstoke Parish Council, as well as Winchester City Council.

Planning Application - 1 Ionic Close

The committee approved an application for amended plans for two-storey side and single-storey rear extensions at 1 Ionic Close, Chandler's Ford, SO53 2NR. The application, numbered H/25/99777, sought to amend a previously approved application (H/25/98955) to extend the depth of the single-storey rear extension by approximately 0.3m to avoid an underground pipe.

A statement was read out from the applicant in support of the application, explaining that the amended plan was requested by Southern Water to avoid building the wall directly over a public sewer.

The planning officer's report noted that the proposed extension is in keeping with the design of the existing dwelling and the character of the area, and would not materially impact the amenity of neighbouring residents or ecology. The report also stated that the Ecology Officer had reviewed the site photos and found no potential bat roost features, and raised no objection.

The committee resolved to grant permission for the application as set out in the report.

Number 44 Bus Route

Councillor James Duguid, Cabinet Member for Transport and Economy, updated the committee on the number 44 bus route, which was one of three routes that Hampshire County Council (HCC) were planning to cut.

Councillor James Duguid informed the committee that Chandler's Ford Parish Council contributes to the funding of the route, and that a local retirement village had also provided funding to enable the bus route to continue for the next three months. The operator of the route is also planning to apply for funds from central government, which are held by HCC, to enable them to continue the service.

The committee thanked the retirement village for their help and support for the bus route.

Planning Appeals

The Planning Manager reported on recent planning appeals:

(a) Appeals lodged:

• 48 Charnwood Crescent, Chandler's Ford, SO53 5QT: Appeal against the council's refusal of planning permission for an extension to an existing dormer window on the eastern elevation, addition of 2no. dormer windows on the western elevation, and a first-floor extension over the garage (H/25/99287).
• 6 Roman Close, Chandler's Ford, SO53 2AW: Appeal against the council's refusal of planning permission for a two-storey side extension and a part two-storey, part single-storey rear extension (amended description) (H/25/99146).

(b) Appeals allowed:

• 30 Valley Road, Chandler's Ford, SO53 1GP: Appeal against the council's refusal of planning permission for the removal of three marked trees, one Oak and two Scots Pines (T/24/97542).
• 133 Park Road, Chandler's Ford, SO53 1HT: Appeal against the council's refusal of planning permission for the removal of T1 Acacia (T/23/96120).

(c) Appeals dismissed:

• 17 Chepstow Close, Chandler's Ford, SO53 4SA: Appeal against the council's refusal of planning permission for a single-storey side extension connecting the house and garage (H/25/99062).

There was discussion around the two tree appeals that had been allowed. The Local Area Manager provided the reasoning given by the Inspector for the appeals and agreed to provide details on appeals allowed since 2020 to the committee via email.

Councillor Alan Broadhurst, Vice-Chair of the Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee expressed the committee's confidence in the planning department, and mentioned it was unusual for them to have lost two appeals in short succession.