Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 5 August 2020.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 August 2020 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendments:

Item 17 Minutes – 19/01172/OUTMAJ – Land North of The Green, Theale: The Planning Officer confirmed that he was in agreement with the comments made by Councillor Alan Macro in relation to the drawing for the pedestrian crossing being removed from the conditions and the decision notice. This would now be dealt with as part of the s106 Agreement.

Item 19(1) – Application No. 20/00674/FUL – Land to the South East of Mortimer Station, Station Road, Mortimer – Page 13, fourth bullet point: ‘NPD’ should read ‘DPD’. The last two sentences to be amended to read – Although it was on an identified site, Theale Green Primary School, which was also granted planning permission despite being outside the settlement boundary, was granted permission because it complied with policy and there was an identified need. He felt that this proposal in question would have a less urbanising effect.

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.

There were no declarations of interest received.

(Note: The Chairman, with the consent of the Committee, reserves the right to alter the order of business on this agenda based on public interest and participation in individual applications.)

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 20/01134/HOUSE in respect of a Section 73 Variation of condition (4) - garage use restricted of approved 18/01467/HOUSE – Erection of new garage with ancillary residential space on the first floor.

The Planning Officer advised that this application sought to vary condition 4 to allow an elderly relative to occupy the first floor of the now substantially constructed detached garage as a residential annexe to the main dwelling house at Greenfields. It had been referred to Committee by the Development Control Manager for consideration in light of the given justification for relaxing the restriction and recognising the size of the host dwelling and the fact that the intended occupant had resided in the host dwelling for some considerable time. Condition 4 restricted the use of the building as follows:

‘The garage hereby permitted shall be used solely for ancillary residential purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the existing dwelling known as Greenfields, Burghfield. No trade, business or commercial enterprise of any kind whatsoever shall be carried on, in or from the garage other than for purposes that are ancillary to the enjoyment of the main dwelling, nor shall it be used for additional bedroom accommodation or for any form of human habitation.’

A revised floor plan had been submitted which showed that at ground floor level the garage would retain two enclosed parking bays with an enclosed staircase to the first floor. The first floor accommodation would provide a living space, a bedroom, a kitchenette and a bathroom. It was noted that the dimensions and appearance of the detached garage would not be altered as a result of the proposal.

The addendum to the Planning Statement highlighted that objectors had advised that the Applicant’s mother had always lived at Greenfields and certainly for the last 20 years. The applicant had confirmed that this was correct and agreed that paragraph 2.3 of the Planning Statement could be regarded as misleading but the new building presented an opportunity to provide the Applicant’s mother with her own accommodation which would enable all parties to enjoy a greater degree of privacy. However, it was felt that the fact that the mother had resided at the same address for some time supported the assertion that the annexe accommodation would be used as an intrinsic part of the existing dwelling.

The Planning Officer stated that the annexe was subordinate to the host dwelling which was a five bedroom property and it was felt that the detached garage would be acceptable as an annexe as it was modest in size and was in close proximity to the main house. Page 27 of the agenda set out revised conditions which would control the use of the garage building. 

Ward Member Representation:

Councillor Graham Bridgman, as Ward Member, stated that the fundamental question was, if this restriction was not justified two years ago, why had it been imposed?

This application was predicated upon the need for a granny  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.(1)

To inform Members of the results of recent appeal decisions relating to the Eastern Area Planning Committee.

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

Councillor Alan Law thanked the Planning Officer for providing the summary of recent appeal decisions which was much appreciated.