Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor Hilary Cole be elected Chairman of the District Planning Committee for the remainder of the 2016/17 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED that Councillor Graham Pask be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the District Planning Committee for the remainder of the 2016/17 Municipal Year.

Councillor Hilary Cole took the opportunity to give thanks to Councillor Alan Law, her predecessor as Chairman, both for his work as Chairman of the District Planning Committee and as Executive Portfolio Holder for Planning. Councillor Law had recently stood down from these roles.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 27^th July 2016.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2016 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any Personal, Disclosable Pecuniary or other interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Keith Chopping declared an interest in Agenda Items 6(1) and 6(2), but reported that, 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 Jeff Beck declared an interest in Agenda Items 6(3) and 6(4), but reported that, 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 Anthony Pick declared an interest in Agenda Item 6(3), but reported that, 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 Beck advised that he had been lobbied on Agenda Items 6(1), 6(2) and 6(3).

Councillor Richard Crumly advised that he had been lobbied on Agenda Item 6(4).

In accordance with paragraph 7.13.4 of Part 7 of the Council’s Constitution it was agreed that the speaking rights for items 6(1) and 6(2) should be increased to ten minutes for all parties.

(Councillor Keith Chopping declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6(1) by virtue of the fact that he knew two individuals with an interest in 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.)

(Councillor Jeff Beck advised that he had been lobbied on Agenda Item 6(1)).

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 6(1)) concerning Planning Application 16/01034/OUTMAJ in respect of an outline application for up to 39 new dwellings with all matters reserved.

In introducing the item, David Pearson, the Planning Officer stated that this application had previously been considered by the Eastern Area Planning Committee on 3^rd August 2016 where it was refused for the following reason:

“Whilst the West Berkshire Council Housing Allocation DPD is emerging it has yet to be adopted. The oral examination stage was completed in July 2016 and further work is required in the form of major and minor modifications before the inspector’s report is produced and therefore only limited weight can be given to the policies in the emerging Development Plan at this time. The application site lies outside of any defined settlement boundary and is land currently forming part of the countryside. This being the case the greater weight has been given to the saved policies of the West Berkshire District Local Plan 1991-2006 [WBDLP] and the policies contained in the West Berkshire Core Strategy 2006-2026 [CS] and the proposed development runs contrary to the provisions of policy HSG1 of the WBDLP as the site lies outside of any defined settlement boundary and to the provisions of policy ADDP1 of the CS which lists the possible exceptions where such development might be allowed.”

Officers had determined that the issues involved should be considered by the District Planning Committee due to the conflict of the resolution to refuse the application with the emerging Housing Site Allocations Development Plan Document (HSA DPD) and the consequent negative impact on the implementation of the Council’s strategic policies for the provision of housing across the District in its ability to demonstrate a five year land supply for housing.

The Planning Officer confirmed that this was an outline planning application for up to 39 dwellings on a 1.4 hectare site on land opposite Hall Place Farm. The site was outside the current Settlement Boundary which was shown on the plan included in the Update Sheet. The site also adjoins the AONB but no part of it is actually within the AONB. The principle for development was being sought although two indicative plans showing accesses had been submitted. The land was currently used by the nearby riding stables.

It was noted that Tilehurst Parish Council had objected to the application as set out in the report and around 200 objections had been received from third parties. However, many more people objected to the site being included in the DPD.

The Planning Officer confirmed that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.(1)

(Councillor Keith Chopping declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6(2) by virtue of the fact that he knew two individuals with an interest in 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.)

(Councillor Jeff Beck advised that he had been lobbied on Agenda Item 6(2)).

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 6(2)) concerning Planning Application 16/01223/OUTMAJ in respect of an outline application for up to 66 residential units with access from Long Lane. Matters to be considered: access.

In introducing the item the Planning Officer, David Pearson, stated that this application had been considered by the Eastern Area Planning Committee on 3 August 2016 where it was refused for the following reason:

“Whilst the West Berkshire Council Housing Allocation DPD is emerging it has yet to be adopted. The oral examination stage was completed in July 2016 and further work is required in the form of major and minor modifications before the inspector’s report is produced and therefore only limited weight can be given to the policies in the emerging Development Plan at this time. The application site lies outside of any defined settlement boundary and is land currently forming part of the countryside. This being the case the greater weight has been given to the saved policies of the West Berkshire District Local Plan 1991-2006 [WBDLP] and the policies contained in the West Berkshire Core Strategy 2006-2026 [CS] and the proposed development runs contrary to the provisions of policy HSG1 of the WBDLP as the site lies outside of any defined settlement boundary and to the provisions of policy ADDP1 of the CS which lists the possible exceptions where such development might be allowed.”

Officers had since determined that the issues involved should be considered by the District Planning Committee due to the conflict of the resolution to refuse the application with the emerging Housing Site Allocations (HSA) Development Plan Document (DPD) and the consequent negative impact on the implementation of the Council’s strategic policies for the provision of housing across the District in its ability to demonstrate a five year land supply for housing.

The Planning Officer also highlighted the following points as part of his introduction:

·                    This site was located outside the current settlement boundary and within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

·                    Objections had been raised by the North Wessex Downs AONB Consultant to the application, but the Planning Officer pointed out that their concerns primarily related to issues which would be considered at the reserved matters stage. A total of 244 specific objections had been raised against the application, but a good deal more had been lodged as part of the consultation process for the HSA DPD.

·                    The site was identified within the HSA DPD, approved for submission to the Planning Inspector by Full Council on 5 November 2016, as a preferred site and therefore in principle  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.(2)

(Councillors Jeff Beck and Anthony Pick declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6(3) by virtue of the fact that they were Members of Newbury Town Council and its Planning and Highways Committee. Councillors Beck and Pick had been present when this item 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 advised that he had been lobbied on Agenda Item 6(3)).

This item was deferred due to insufficient time to consider the application.

(Councillor Jeff Beck declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 6(4) by virtue of the fact that he was a Member of Newbury Town Council and its Planning and Highways Committee. Councillor Beck had been present when this item 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 Richard Crumly advised that he had been lobbied on Agenda Item 6(4)).

This item was deferred due to insufficient time to consider the application.