Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 24^th June 2020.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2020 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 registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillors Jeremy Cottam, Alan Law, Tony Linden, Royce Longton, Ross Mackinnon, Alan Macro, Graham Pask and Jo Stewart 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 Jeremy Cottam, Alan Law, Tony Linden, Royce Longton, Ross Mackinnon, Graham Pask and Jo Stewart declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that they knew Richard Benyon who was the former Member of Parliament for Newbury and was closely associated with the Englefield Estate Trust (the applicant). 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 Alan Macro declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that he lived close to the site for this planning application. 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.)

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 19/01172/OUTMAJ in respect of an outline application for a residential development of up to 104 dwellings. Matters to be considered: Access.

Mrs Emma Nutchey, Principal Planning Officer, introduced the report and highlighted the following points:

·         The matter to be considered was access, but Members should also consider the principle of the development of up to 104 dwellings.

·         An illustrative masterplan had been produced alongside parameter plans to establish the developable area, range of building heights and densities etc.

·         The update report confirmed the recommendation for approval and reported the addition of an air quality condition and an amendment to the wording of conditions 4 (approved plans) and 22 (road and layout and design standards).

As resolved at the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 April 2020, public speaking rights had been removed for virtual Council meetings. This right had replaced with the ability to make written submissions. This decision had been made in accordance with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

In accordance with the Extraordinary Council resolution, a written submission had been received from Mr Jonathan Sebbage of Savills, applicant/agent.

The written submission was read out by the Clerk to the Committee as follows:

Applicant/Agent Representation

The written submission of Mr Sebbage was read out as follows:

·         This outline planning application had been developed and progressed in response to Policy HSA14 of the Housing Site Allocations DPD, which allocated the site for approximately 100 homes. This had involved consideration of site constraints and opportunities, consultation with the Parish Council and local community, pre and post-application discussions with your officers and consultation with statutory consultees and stakeholders through the planning application process. In developing the proposals, the Englefield Estate had developed a high quality scheme with a positive long-term legacy, for the benefit of the community of Theale and the residents of the development.

·         Your officers’ report provided a well-balanced assessment of the application and addressed all of the issues raised by neighbours and consultees. There remained some concerns locally however which were addressed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.(1)

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 20/00737/COMIND in respect of a full planning application for the conversion and redevelopment of existing land and buildings to create a mixed-use development comprising restaurant, estate farm shop, overnight accommodation, bakery, fermentary, cookery school and event space (local food production and ancillary education facility) and a biomass boiler together with associated works including the demolition of the existing garages and workshop building.

Mr Michael Butler, Principal Planning Officer, introduced the report and highlighted the following points:

·         The Development Control Manager had requested that this application be determined by Committee as the Eastern Area Planning Committee had refused the previous application for the site. The applicant had taken the decision to appeal but had advised that the appeal would be withdrawn if planning permission was granted for this revised scheme.

·         The Planning Officer recommendation was to refuse planning permission for the reasons outlined in the report. In summary, the scale and mix of commercial uses was considered more appropriate for town centre use and would create traffic concerns. Secondly, a sequential test had not been undertaken.

·         The Highways Officer objected and also recommended refusal as detailed in both the committee report and update report. This was on the basis that the high level of mixed commercial use on the site would generate an unacceptable level of private car traffic on rural roads which went contrary to extant policy in what was considered to be an unsustainable location. The Highways Officer also considered that regard should be had to the declared Climate Change Emergency.

·         Overdevelopment was added as a reason for refusal by Members for the previous application. Officers had not included it as a reason for refusing this application as the scheme had reduced in size.

As resolved at the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 April 2020, public speaking rights had been removed for virtual Council meetings. This right had replaced with the ability to make written submissions. This decision had been made in accordance with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

In accordance with the Extraordinary Council resolution, written submissions had been received from Mr Paul Woodley, Chairman of Wasing Parish Meeting (adjoining parish), Mr John Beach, Ms Stephanie Ansell, Mr William Fugard, Ms Bryony Fugard and Ms Harriet Lees, supporters, and Mr Andrew Perkins, Wasing Estate - applicant/agent.

The written submissions were read out by the Clerk to the Committee as follows:

Adjoining Parish Council Representation

The written submission of Mr Woodley was read out as follows:

·      The maincentralhub ofthe WasingEstatewas locatedwithinour Parish andwe wereonly tooacutely aware thatthe financialchallengefacingrural estatessuchas this,was becomingmore andmor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.(2)