Issue - meetings

(Councillor Hilary Cole declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that she was Ward Member for Chieveley and Cold Ash and a Chieveley Parish Councillor. As her interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 19/00317/FUL in respect of the creation of a pond and embankment.

2.     In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Mike Belcher, Chieveley Parish Council representative, Mr Henry Peto, Mr Barry Ayres and Mr Cyril Wood, objectors, and Ms Jill Scrivener (Bourne Rural Planning Consultancy Ltd) and Mr Harvey Rodda (Flood/Drainage Consultant), agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

3.     Sian Cutts introduced the report to Members, which had been called in by the Ward Members due to there being more than ten objections. The report took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material considerations, and in conclusion it detailed that the proposal was acceptable and a conditional approval was justifiable.

4.     The Chairman thanked the planning officer for their presentation and invited the Highways officer to clarify his part of the report. Paul Goddard noted that on page 14 of the report, concerns about debris on the highway, due to exporting and importing material to the site, had been resolved as the majority of the work for creating the bund had been done.

5.     The Chairman also asked the Drainage and Flood Risk Management Officer to comment on the scheme. Stuart Clark explained that he had not been involved in the initial review and was content with the hydrological information that had been submitted. He noted that the amount of surface water flowing onto the highway was not serious and there had been no road closures due to flooding in that area. The main issue was that he was not convinced that the bund was fit for purpose and he needed to see a Slope Stability Analysis Report or plan for stabilising the slope submitted before the application was approved. He also had concerns regarding the maintenance of the bund. There would be a large body of water held by the bund, and water flowing off the hill would go into the outlet pipe and into crates. If the pipe became blocked, it would need to be cleared and this could only be accessed from the crest of the embankment, which had a 1:1 slope with a six foot drop to one side, thereby making a dangerous working environment. He was also concerned that should children play on the bund, they would be in danger of falling off it and into the road. He asked therefore, if there was a maintenance plan and what consideration had been given to the safety of children playing near the pond.

6.     Stuart Clark further informed the Committee that he had designed schemes similar to this in Thatcham and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3