Issue - meetings

(Councillor James Cole declared an other registrable interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that he owned land which abutted the site. As his interest was personal and not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he would stand down from the Committee during the course of consideration of the matter and would take no part in the debate or voting on the matter, but would remain present and address the Committee as Ward Member.)

1.    The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 18/01441/HOUSE in respect of the demolition of a garden store, external alterations to the Eastern Pavilion including the provision of rooflights (retrospective), the erection of new Western Pavilion to provide home office facilities at ground level, guest accommodation at first floor and a basement level garage at Hayward Green Farm, West Woodhay.

2.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Robert MacDonald, Parish Meeting representative, Mr Ewan Christian and Mr Harry Henderson, objectors, and Mr Steven Sensecall, agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

3.    Matthew Shepherd introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material considerations. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable and a conditional approval was justifiable. Officers on balance recommended the Committee grant planning permission.

4.    Mr Macdonald in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         The Parish Meeting objected to overdevelopment of the AONB.

·         The site was previously a farm before permission was granted for a small dwelling. There had been 25 planning applications under different names in recent years. There had been no engagement with the neighbours or Parish Meeting for any of the applications.

·         It was unlikely that the applicant would comply with conditions.

·         The dwelling on the site was already having an impact on neighbours’ boreholes, ponds and aquafers.

·         It was disappointing that there had been no consultation response from the SUDS officer or AONB board.

·         A near identical application submitted the previous year had been refused.

·         The internal and external lighting would have an adverse impact on the dark night skies.

·         There was inconsistency in the planning approach as an underground car park was proposed for permission whereas an application for a four bedroom house in West Woodhay had recently been refused additional parking spaces.

·         There were inconsistencies around the presentation of the building’s residential curtilage, including apparent increases over time.

5.    Councillor Paul Bryant asked why there was a concern regarding water when Thames Water had raised no objections. Mr Macdonald responded that there were pumps under the existing dwelling on the site which neighbours believed was having an adverse impact on boreholes in the area. Boreholes were not Thames Water’s responsibility and a full survey should be carried out before the application was determined.

6.    Councillor Anthony Pick asked whether the strict lighting conditions were satisfactory. Mr Macdonald expressed the view that the applicant had previously demonstrated poor compliance with conditions and he was concerned that the additional pavilion would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31