Issue - meetings

(Councillors Dennis Benneyworth and James Cole declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that the application was within the ward they represented. As their interests were personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Councillor Tony Vickers declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that he was friends with the applicant’s tree advisor. As his interests were personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(All of the Members present declared that they had been lobbied on Agenda Item 4(1)).

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 20/02322/FUL in respect of Boames Farm, Boames Lane, Enborne. The application sought to erect two sheds for housing cattle during winter.

2.     Mr Masie Masiiwa, Senior Planning Officer, 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 unsatisfactory in planning terms and officers recommended that the Head of Development and Planning be authorised to refuse planning permission for the reasons listed in the main and update reports.

Removal of speaking rights

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 was 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.     The above changes to speaking rights were subsequently amended at the Council meeting on 10 September 2020. It was agreed that parties making written submissions in relation to a planning application would be invited to attend the remote meeting of the Planning Committee to answer any questions that Members of the Committee might wish to ask in order to seek clarification on any part of their statement.

5.     In accordance with the Extraordinary Council resolution, written submissions relating to this application were received from Enborne Parish Council (Mr John Leeson), Mr John Handy, supporter, and Mr Simon Tomkins, applicant.

6.     Individual written submissions were published online with the agenda -http://decisionmaking.westberks.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=155&MId=5737&Ver=4

Parish Council’s Submission

7.     The Clerk read out the representation. Mr John Leeson was invited to join the meeting to answer questions from Members of the Committee.

8.     Councillor Tony Vickers asked for clarification as to what was meant by “…so woodland absence”.  Mr Leeson indicated this was an editing error. He explained that the applicant had moved to the site in approximately 2001, and there was a photo from that time in the Design Access Statement that showed that, at that time, there was no woodland on the site of the proposed development.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43