The Havant Borough Council Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 9 October 2025. The agenda includes approving the minutes from previous meetings and considering a planning application for development.

Planning Application: 26 Beacon Square, Emsworth

The committee will be considering a full planning permission application, APP/25/00405, for 26 Beacon Square, Emsworth, PO10 7HU. The application proposes:

• Alterations to the roof
• Two-storey extensions to the east and west elevations
• New entrance detail to the north elevation
• A new detached garage

The application is being brought to the committee at the request of Councillor Grainne Rason, with the reason given as being over development and impact on Chichester Harbour National Landscape.

The planning report notes that the site is in a residential area to the west of Emsworth centre, with the south-facing garden extending towards the harbour edge. Part of the site is located within Flood Zones 2 and 3¹.

The proposed internal layout would reduce the number of existing bedrooms from five to four. Amended plans were received during the application process, removing a single-storey extension to the east, reducing the width and height of the raised roof, and deleting a south dormer and balcony.

Policy Considerations

The report lists a number of planning policies and guidance documents that are relevant to the application, including:

• National Planning Policy Framework
• Havant Borough Council Borough Design Guide SPD December 2011
• Havant Borough Council Parking SPD July 2016
• Chichester Harbour Management Plan 2024-2025
• Havant Borough Council and Chichester District Council Joint SPD - Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Chichester Harbour NL Character Assessment
• Havant Borough Local Plan (Core Strategy) March 2011
• Havant Borough Local Plan (Allocations) July 2014
• Emsworth Neighbourhood Plan

The relevant policies within these documents relate to protecting the environment and heritage, the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), efficient use of resources, flood and coastal erosion, high-quality design, and the provision of infrastructure.

Consultations

The report notes that Chichester Harbour Conservancy initially objected to the proposed development, stating that:

Given the prominence of the site within the immediate setting of the Chichester Harbour National Landscape, the increase height and width of the dwelling would produce a disproportionate and over dominant massing, out of character with the surrounding dwelling width to plot width ratios, narrowing spatial separation between adjacent dwellings. This would harm the setting of the Chichester Harbour National Landscape.

However, following the submission of amended plans, the Conservancy removed its objection.

The Council's Ecologist has raised no objection, subject to a condition requiring the implementation of ecological enhancement measures outlined in the Phase II Bat Surveys report (EcoSupport, December 2024).

The Emsworth Residents Forum has objected to the plans, stating that the extension represents a considerable increase in floor area and height, and that the insertion of large windows at that level brings with it the dangers of light pollution, affecting the bird population in the National Landscape of Chichester Harbour.

The Environment Agency has raised no objection to the proposal. Southern Water has requested formal notification of any proposed demolition works.

Community Involvement

The council has publicised the application, sending neighbour notification letters and displaying site notices. A total of 24 comments have been received, with objections relating to the size and bulk of the development, its impact on the area and ecology, and its conflict with planning policies. Supporters say that it improves the appearance of the existing property and that the design is in keeping with the original house.

Planning Considerations

The planning report identifies the main issues arising from the application as:

• Principle of development
• Appropriateness of design and impact on the character of the area & the Chichester Harbour National Landscape (NL)
• Effect on neighbouring properties
• Ecology & Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
• Flood Risk & Drainage
• Parking & Access
• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

The report concludes that the proposed development is acceptable in principle and that, following amendments, it is considered appropriate in terms of design and its impact on the character of the area and the Chichester Harbour National Landscape. It also states that the development would have a limited and acceptable impact on neighbouring properties.

The Development Manager has been authorised to grant permission for the application, subject to conditions.

Other Matters

The committee will also be asked to approve the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 11th September 2025 and the minutes of the Site Viewing Working Party held on 2nd October 2025.