Issue - meetings

(Councillors Adrian Abbs, Phil Barnett, Jeff Beck and Tony Vickers declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4 by virtue of the fact that Councillors Abbs was the Chair of Greenham Parish Council, and lived near the Racecourse; Councillor Barnett was a member of Greenham Parish Council and Newbury Town Council Planning and Highways Committee; Councillor Beck was a member of Newbury Town Council Planning and Highways Committee and Councillor Vickers had previously been a Chair and member of the Greenham Parish Council. They had also been lobbied. As their interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(The meeting reconvened at 8.35pm)

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(4)) concerning Planning Application 18/03340/COMIND in respect of the permanent use of hostel (Use Class Sui Generis) as a hotel (Use Class C1) at Newbury Racecourse, Racecourse Road.

2.     In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Ken Neal, Parish Council representative, Mr Raymond Beard, objector, and Ms Catherine Spenser and Ms Catherine Tyrer, applicant/agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

3.     Simon Till introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material planning considerations. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable and a conditional approval was justifiable. Officers recommended that the Committee grant planning permission subject to completion of a legal agreement of similar measures to secure that an extant permission for a 123 bedroom hotel was not developed.

4.     Mr Paul Goddard that he was not aware of any parking or traffic issues and had not objections to the application.

5.     Mr Neal in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·           Greenham Parish Council (GPC) had received representations from local residents and strongly objected to the proposal.

·           Residents adjacent to the site bought their properties on the understanding that it would be used as a hostel for stable staff.

·           If the temporary use as an hotel were made permanent, then residents would have to deal with noise for most of the year.

·           The proximity of the buildings might be up to statutory standards, but sound echoed and reverberated between them.

·           The recreation area was 25 meters from the Nursery. This business was owned by the Racecourse and therefore would not be objecting to the proposal.

·           He challenged the suitability of having a bar close to a Nursery and accommodation.

·           In conclusion, GPC objected to the proposal as there was a more suitable position for the hotel elsewhere on the site. The recreation area could have been positioned so that it would have had no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.

6.     Councillor Jeff Beck asked how many house-holders had approached GPC with their concerns. Mr Neal replied that it had been four or five and that they had moved in prior to the temporary change of use of the hostel.

7.     Mr Beard in addressing the Committee raised the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11