Issue - meetings

(Councillor Adrian Abbs declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that he was a Member of the Highways and Planning Committee of Greenham Parish Council. He had been present when the application was discussed, but would consider the application afresh. He also declared that he was the Parish Council’s liaison with the Racecourse Residents’ Committee and lived within a mile of the site. As his interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(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 the Highways and Planning Committees of both Greenham Parish and Newbury Town Councils. They had been present when the application was discussed, but would consider the application afresh. 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.)

(Councillor Jeff Beck  declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that he was a Member of the Highways and Planning Committee of Newbury Town Council. He had been present when the application was discussed, but would consider the application afresh. As his interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Councillor Phil Barnett declared that he had been lobbied on Agenda Item 4(1))

1.      The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 21/01079/COMIND in respect of Newbury Racecourse, Racecourse Road, Newbury for a Temporary 1 year permission: Great Newbury Christmas Carnival (with attractions including market stalls, big-top, fairground rides, Christmas tree maze, ice-rink, Santa's grotto). Associated cut and fill works were also proposal to level the centre of the Racecourse.

2.      Mrs 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 acceptable in planning terms and officers recommended that the Head of Development and Planning be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

3.      The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard, Team Leader (Highways Development Control), if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Goddard noted that the site was used to accommodate large events and the average attendance for race days was around 7,400 visitors, with the largest events attracting up to 23,000 visitors. This proposal would attract an average of 6,500 visitors per day. On weekdays, there would be 3,000–4,000 visitors, with peak arrivals in the early evening. At weekends, visitor numbers were expected to be two or three times higher, with peak arrivals in the middle of the day, but numbers would be less than for existing race meetings.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16