Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of this Committee held on 3 May 2017 and 9 May 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3 May 2017 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Vice-Chairman, subject to the following amendments:

Item 92(1) – 17/00182/COMIND – Land North of Floral Way, Opposite Foxglove Way, Thatcham:

Page two, seventh bullet point:

·         A flood detention basin for Cold Ash Hill had already been built. A flood detention basin for Tull Way had also been approved by the Council and its development would commence on the 15^th May 2017.

Page three, third paragraph, first sentence:

In response to Councillor Chopping’s question, Stuart Clark reported that 24000 cubic metres of excavation work would be required.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2017 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Vice-Chairman.

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 Sheila Ellison declared an interest in Agenda Items 4(2) and 4(3), but reported that, as her interest was a personal interest and not an other registrable interest or a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Agenda Item 4(1) concerning Planning Application 16/02407/FULD – which proposed the demolition of the existing house containing 3 units and the erection of 3 houses with garages, was withdrawn by the applicant post publication of the agenda.

(Councillor Sheila Ellison declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that she knew the owner of Kiln Cottage. As her interest was personal and not an other registrable or a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 17/00649/FULD in respect of the proposed demolition of an existing outbuilding and the construction of a new self build dwelling utilising an existing access with associated parking and landscaping.

As part of the Planning Officer, David Pearson’s, introduction to the item, he provided further information on self build homes. He explained that it was a requirement for local planning authorities to hold a register of people interested in developments of this type and who were seeking sites. The applicant was not listed on West Berkshire’s register, however this was not necessary in this case as the applicant had the available land. Mr Pearson added that local authorities were encouraged by Government to cater for self build homes. Mr Pearson stated that while this was a material consideration, it was not of particular significance.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Richard Hunt/Ms Sara Dutfield, applicant/agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Mr Hunt in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·                    He explained that he and his wife had lived in Brimpton for many years and wished to continue living in the village.

·                    Approval of the proposal would allow them to live in a modest house to the rear of Kiln Cottage which would be largely shielded by planting and the Cottage itself. Only the roof would be partially visible from the road.

·                    Kiln Cottage was a Grade II listed building and was located within the Brimpton Conservation Area. However, this was also true of the Old Post Office which was located in a more prominent position on the roadside than Kiln Cottage. Kiln Cottage was also situated within a larger site which could accommodate the proposed self build dwelling.

·                    In terms of Kiln Cottage as a heritage asset, Mr Hunt explained that it was originally two dwellings that became a single dwelling in the 1950s. Extensions had since been added in the 1960s and 1970s (the most recent extension being a utility building). The existing Kiln Cottage had therefore undergone changes over the years from its original state.

·                    West Berkshire Council’s Conservation Officer had given the view that the harm caused by this proposed development would be ‘less than substantial’ and its impact therefore needed to be weighed against the benefits of the proposal. Mr Hunt listed these benefits as providing an addition to the housing stock in the form of a family home and additional Council Tax to the Council. It would enable local Brimpton people, namely himself and his wife, to continue to live in the village, and maintain long term friendships. Mr Hunt added that local contractors would be employed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(2)

(Councillor Sheila Ellison declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(3) by virtue of the fact that she was a Member of Thatcham Town Council and the Town Council had considered the application. However, while she was familiar with the overall site, she was not familiar with the application in question and had not predetermined any view on it. As her interest was personal and not an other registrable interest or a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(3)) concerning Planning Application 15/03468/FULEXT in respect of the demolition of existing facilities and the erection of 47 new dwellings, including an internal access road.

The Planning Officer, Andy Heron, introduced the report and informed Members that this application was before the Committee as it was a major application on land owned by West Berkshire Council. The material change to be considered to this extant permission was the receipt of amended plans to achieve the lifetime homes requirement. It was also the proposal that the affordable homes would be relocated on the site, although the number would be unaltered.

This planning application did not attract any public speakers.

Councillor Graham Bridgman noted from the report that the proposed car parking spaces were below the required standard of Policy P1 of the Housing Site Allocations Development Plan Document (HSA DPD). He questioned why this departure from policy was considered acceptable, beyond noting the point made in the report that the development site was located within close proximity to a main transport route which was served well by public transport services. However, this did not necessarily mean reduced car ownership. Councillor Quentin Webb added his concerns to the stance being outlined in the report that it was acceptable that current parking standards would not be adhered to.

Councillor Emma Webster noted the point made in the report that while the proposed car parking spaces did not adhere to Policy C1, they exceeded the older parking standards of the West Berkshire District Local Plan (WBDLP).

In terms of the location of the car parking, Gareth Dowding confirmed that this was acceptable to Highways.

David Pearson confirmed that when the application was previously considered and approved by the Committee in July 2016 it was based on the older parking standards of the WBDLP and not Policy P1 of the then emerging HSA DPD. Some time had since elapsed in negotiating the Section 106 agreement and conditions with the applicant, and the HSA DPD had since been adopted by the Council. However, Officers took the view that revisiting areas that had previously been agreed was a concern and refusal on such grounds due to Council policy changes would be difficult to defend at a potential appeal. The significant site history needed to be noted when considering this particular matter.

Councillor Alan Macro queried whether Environmental Health Officers had viewed the Geotechnical report and associated Soil Environmental Services Ltd  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(3)

A date of 7 June 2017 at 9.30am was agreed for site visits if necessary. This was in advance of the Eastern Area Planning Committee scheduled for 14 June 2017.