Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for this meeting of the Eastern Area Planning Committee.

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Eastern Area Planning Committee,Members RESOLVED that Councillor Alan Law be appointed as Chairman of this meeting only.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of this Committee held on 18 January 2017.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 18 January 2017 were approved as true and correct records and signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendments:

Special meeting

Page 5 - Items 69 (Declarations of Interest) and 71(1) (15/02842/OUTMAJ): Councillor Emma Webster stated that she did not have an interest in the application and wanted this clearly documented within the minutes.

Main meeting

Page 7/8 – Items 73 (Declarations of Interest) and 74(3) (15/02842/OUTMAJ):  Councillor Emma Webster stated that she did not have an interest in the application and wanted this clearly documented within the minutes.

Page 13 – Item 74(3) (15/02842/OUTMAJ) - Paragraph 5: Councillor Bridgman advised that he was familiar with this site as a former Governor of Theale Green Secondary School.

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any personal, disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Emma Webster declared an interest in Agenda Item 5(1), and reported that, as she had predetermined the planning application, she would be leaving the meeting during the course of consideration of the matter.

Councillor Tim Metcalfe declared an interest in Agenda Item 5(1), but reported that, as his interest was a personal or a other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillor Richard Crumly declared an interest in Agenda Item 5(2), but reported that, as his interest was a personal or a other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter

(Councillor Emma Webster declared an interest in Agenda Item 5(1) by virtue of the fact that she had already commented on and predetermined the planning application through the DPD process and also generally. She would not therefore be taking part in the consideration of the matter and would take no part in the debate or voting on the matter other than to address the Committee as Ward Member.)

Councillor Tim Metcalfe declared an interest in Agenda Item 5(1) by virtue of the fact that he supplied hay to a person currently using the site, but reported that, as his interest was a personal or a other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Councillor Emma Webster left the meeting.)

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 5(1)) concerning Planning Application 16/01947/OUTMAJ in respect of a residential development of up to 15 dwellings, and the creation of a new woodland belt on the northern boundary.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mrs Jean Gardner, Parish Council representative, Mr Richard Churchill, objector, and Mr Tim North, applicant/agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Mrs Jean Gardner in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·                    The site appeared unkempt and would benefit from being tidied up but there were still concerns raised regarding the proposed development on this section of land.

·                    Access to the site was better in its current position and not in the proposed location.

·                    The development would have an adverse affect on the local wildlife and introduce unwanted light pollution. Why would the applicant consider developing within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

·                    Local schools and health services were already stretched and would not cope with the increase in local population – financial contributions would not address this issue.

·                    There were concerns about the impact on adjoining ancient woodland.

·                    It appeared that Members would not be happy until Tilehurst became a concrete jungle and she urged them to leave some greenery behind.

Councillor Tim Metcalfe asked whether Mrs Gardner had seen the contour plan, provided within the update report, which suggested that the entrance road was level with the site. Mrs Gardner stated that the entrance road was positioned lower than the site which resulted in pooling when it rained - she was confident that this was the case due to her local knowledge.

Mr Richard Churchill in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·                    He spoke on behalf of all objectors to this application.

·                    He thanked Members and Officers for providing him with the opportunity to address the Committee – he felt that the Committee had a tough job to determine this application which was not helped by the inaccurate information provided by Officers.

·                    The application had been submitted prior to the outcome of the Housing Site Allocations Development Plan Document (HSA DPD) and this should be a reason for refusal.

·                    Paragraph 216 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.(1)

(Councillor Richard Crumly declared an interest in Agenda Item 5(2) by virtue of the fact that he was present at the Thatcham Town Council Planning Meeting when the application was considered. He could not recall how he voted but stated that he would consider the matter afresh this evening. As his interest was a personal or a other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 5(2)) concerning Planning Application 16/03070/FUL in respect of change of use from B1 office use to a 64 place children’s day nursery falling within Class D1.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Matt Brooks, applicant/agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Mr Matt Brooks in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         The company had two successful branches open in Basingstoke which had won national awards.

·         Concerns had been raised regarding parking onsite – he explained that staff would make use of garages to ensure there was sufficient space for parents/ guardians to drop off/collect children. Research suggested that a significant number of children would arrive on foot and that the staggered start times meant that the proposed numbers of spaces would be plenty.

·         The proposed parking arrangements were deemed acceptable by the local highway authority.

·         The proposal would see the current, vacant office space renovated into an important, local service. He did not consider that the proposal would have a detrimental impact on the area.

·         There was a school and leisure centre nearby and the proposal would compliment these services.

In response to questions asked by the Committee, Mr Brooks advised that the applicant would accept the request to provide a travel plan (as mentioned within the update report) and that he would consider the request to introduce CCTV on site which might then be used to evidence how the car park was being used.

Councillor Pamela Bale asked whether the car park design could include designated disabled parking bays. She suggested that the current layout did not allow sufficient space for disabled parking bays to be included. Mr Brooks insisted that this would be looked into.

Mr Brook advised Members that the children’s day nursery would employ approximately 60 people and that they would make good use of the garage parking to manage availability of space within the car park. 

Councillor Graham Bridgman asked how long the vacant property had been on the market and whether the applicant knew its previous use. Mr Brooks stated that the property had been on the market since August 2016 and that he was not sure who had previously occupied the property.

Members heard that full details regarding the management of the car park/garages would be detailed within the travel plan which had been requested as part of the update report.

In response to points raised by Members, Andrew Heron explained that the application site had been outlined in red on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.(2)