Issue - meetings

(Councillors Phil Barnett and Tony Vickers declared a personal interest in Agenda item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that they were Members of Newbury Town Council’s Planning and Highways Committee. They had been present when the application was discussed, but would consider the application afresh.  As their interest was personal and not a prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest they determined to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

(All Councillors declared a personal interest in Agenda Item (4)1 by virtue of the fact that they had 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.)

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 19/00832/REM in respect of the approval of reserved matters following outline permission 16/02529/OUTD - Change of use of part of existing agricultural field to residential and the erection of 5 no. detached dwelling houses with ancillary garages, access, parking, landscaping and associated works. Matters seeking consent - Appearance, landscaping and scale

2.     David Pearson 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. On balance, officers recommended that the Committee grant planning permission.

3.     As resolved at the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 April 2020, public speaking rights had been removed for virtual Council meetings. This right had replaced with the ability to make written submissions. This decision had been made in accordance with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

4.     In accordance with the Extraordinary Council resolution, written submissions had been received from Cold Ash Parish Council, Mr and Mrs Vanstone, Mr John Berry, Mr Paul Shave and Mr Bernard Clark, objectors, and Katherine Miles, agent.

5.     Written submissions were read out by the Clerk to the Committee:

Parish Representation

The written submission of Bernard Clark, Vice Chair of Cold Ash Parish Council was read out as follows:

Let’s start with the good news: West Berkshire Council OWN the hedge next to Summerfield. From the definitive map that Highways provided on 16th March, this is 100% certain.

By magnifying that map, it’s easy to measure the width of West Berkshire’s ownership of the verge, and the width of the hedge. (Also, there’s a wire fence on the field side that delineates the boundary between the West Berkshire owned verge and the farmer’s field).

So, the hedge is 100% within West Berkshire’s verge, that’s 100 per cent certain; West Berkshire Council OWN the hedge, as West Berkshire Officers have known for some time.

Why is this important? For two reasons.

Firstly, because West Berkshire, like all owners, have total rights over it. Preservation of the hedge is not only a planning matter,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5