Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 26^th September 2018.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26^th September 2018 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following point:

Item 28 (1) – 16/01685/OUTMAJ land adjacent to Primrose Croft, Reading Road, Burghfield Common, Page 9, third paragraph from bottom: Councillor Quentin Webb stated that this section of the minutes highlighted that condition six – layout and design standards, should state ‘footway’ and not ‘footpath’. Councillor Webb noted that condition six on page 12 of the minutes had not been changed from the original and still referred to footpath, when it should be footway.

Councillor Webb wanted to be assured that the official legal documents and decision notice issued was written up with footway not footpath. David Pearson stated that he would check this point and feedback to Councillor Webb.

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.

Councillors Emma Webster, Tim Metcalfe and Pamela Bale declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(1), but reported that, as their interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

(Councillors Emma Webster, Tim Metcalfe and Pamela Bale declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that the applicant was known to them however, they had not discussed the planning application. 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 Webster declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that she was the West Berkshire Council representative for the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority. As her interest was personal and not prejudicial 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(1)) concerning Planning Application 18/00878/OUTMAJ in respect of a residential development of up to 29 dwellings, with associated access, landscaping and public open space.

David Pearson introduced the report to Members of the Committee, which recommended conditional approval, and ran through the key points. It was outline application for 29 dwellings. Access was to be discussed in detailed at that evenings Committee however, other areas such as the design and layout of the site were reserved matters and would be discussed at a later stage if the application was approved.

David Pearson reported that the update sheet contained amended wording for condition 13. David Pearson also provided additional wording that needed to be added to condition 3.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, John Print, objector, and Henry Venners, agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Objector Representation

Mr John Print in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·                    His main concerns regarding the site related to the access.

·                    The three existing properties 70, 72A and 74 used the track, which was the proposed access to the site. It was being suggested that the access be changed to improve the access.

·                    The access to Mr Prints’ property, number 70, was five metres from the main road and he was concerned about the increased level of danger when trying leave and enter his property, if the proposed site was approved.

·                    Mr Print was extremely concerned about vehicles turning right into the site, which was already an existing problem. The access was positioned on a bend and approaching vehicles struggled to see vehicles turning right, until the last minute.

·                    The increase in traffic generated by the development would cause the access and road layout to be even more dangerous.

·                    Mr Print was sceptical that plans were based on the number of past traffic incidents, when these would be likely to rise in the future once movements increased.

·                    The area was not served by an adequate level of public transport. There was only one shop within walking distance, which was a small post office with limited opening hours.

·                    In summary Mr Print was concerned that the site was so close to a main road, that was already very busy. He felt that approval  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.(1)

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 18/00833/FULD. David Pearson reported that the item was on the agenda as an item for decision only, in respect of a proposed change to the affordable housing provision agreed by Members when resolving to approve the application subject to the completion of a s106 agreement at the Committee on the 25^th July 2018.

Members had received further information on viability on the 6^th November 2018 and it was for Members to decide whether they had received adequate time to consider the information.

Information had been re-submitted to the consultant and the conclusion reached was that there was only a case for two affordable units. Therefore if Members were minded to approve the item, two units of affordable housing would be provided.

This proposal had been given to the Housing Department for consideration and they were satisfied with the changes. The adjustment was compliant with advice and a viability assessment. Therefore it was recommended that the revised offer in respect of Affordable Housing was accepted and the requirements of the s106 amended to reflect the change.

Ward Member Representation

·         Councillor Quentin Webb felt that the first questions to ask was whether Members should proceed and he was minded that they should. Councillor Webb advised that Hermitage Parish Council had queried why they had not been notified of the item and he confirmed that the reason for this was because the item was not a planning application

·         Hermitage Parish Council had put forward an initial acceptance that two units of Affordable Housing would be beneficial to the village.

·         There were no material changes proposed to the application and therefore in planning terms, Councillor Webb could not see why Members should not accept the adjustment.

·         The Chairman, also as Ward Member, stated that there would be no physical changes to the application and Members needed to consider how any changes adhered to policy.

Member Questions to Officers

Councillor Alan Law stated that Members had three choices, they could defer, approve or reject the item. Councillor Law asked if the item could be appealed if it was rejected. David Pearson stated that if Members were minded to refuse the item this would be based on the second resolution to refuse the application because the application failed to provide the Section 106 Planning Obligation on Affordable Housing. This could be appealed and David Pearson felt that it would difficult to defend at appeal.

Councillor Alan Macro raised a query regarding the non-residential part of the application as he had noted a discrepancy between the figures. Sian Cutts confirmed that all the figures, facts and calculations on the development had been forwarded to the consultant (Dickson and Searle) and they had assessed all calculations. The consultants had concluded that there had been some discrepancies in the way the viability information was originally assessed. The difference in viability was however, not large enough to provide a second unit and therefore alter the overall picture.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Members noted the outcome of appeal decisions relating to the Eastern Area.

Gareth Dowding announced the sad news that colleague and friend, Bob Turner, from the Highways Department had sadly passed away. He had worked for West Berkshire Council for 15 years. He asked that Members join staff in sending condolences to Bob Turner’s family.

The Chairman shared further sad news that Gerry Wilson, who had worked as a courier in the Customer services and ICT Service, had recently passed away. All Members and officers had received funeral details.