Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 27 October 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 27 October 2021 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.

There were no declarations of interest received.

RECOMMENDATION: That members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item as it is likely that there would be disclosure of exempt information of the description contained in the paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 specified in brackets in the heading of each item. Rule 8.10.4 of the Constitution also refers.

RESOLVED that members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the under-mentioned item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as contained in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) Order 2006. Rule 8.10.4 of the Constitution also refers.

(Paragraph 1 – information relating to an individual)

(Paragraph 2 – information identifying an individual)

To consider confidential information relating to planning application 21/02112/FUL.

(Paragraph 1  –information relating to an individual)

(Paragraph 2 – information identifying an individual)

The Eastern Area Planning Committee considered an exempt report (Agenda Item five) relating to planning application 21/02112/FUL.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the report.

(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 6(1))) concerning Planning Application 21/02112/FUL in respect of the change of use to 7 no. Gypsy/Traveller pitches comprising 7 no. static caravans, 7 no. day rooms, 7 no. touring caravans and associated works.

Mr Bob Dray, Planning Officer, introduced the report to Members and highlighted the key points. The Officer recommendation was for refusal and the reasons were set out under section eight of the report.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Simon Pike and Mr Richard Crumly, Town Council representatives, Mr Bernard Clark, Adjacent Parish Council representative and Councillor Lee Dillon, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish Council Representation:

·         Mr Simon Pike and Mr Richard Crumly (Thatcham Town Council) in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Mr Pike reported that he was the Chairman of the Highways and Planning Committee of Thatcham Town Council. Thatcham Town Council had objected to the application and its concerns fell in to three categories, including the location of the site; deficiencies in the planning application and community cohesion.

·         The site was outside of the settlement boundary and was outside of the settlement boundary for the proposed local plan. It was within the open countryside, which separated Thatcham and Cold Ash.

·         A planning application for permission in principle had been submitted for land on the opposite side of Lawrences Lane, which might have been prompted by the unauthorised development.

·         The Council had also previously objected to the conversion of livery stables on the adjacent land for residential use.

·         Lawrences Lane was extensively used by walkers and cyclists. The Town Council had supported the Active Travel Proposal for the lane by West Berkshire Council (WBC). Thatcham town Council felt that the lane was unsuitable for motor traffic. The traffic generated by the site if approved would be hazardous to walkers and cyclists. 

·         The improvements required by the West Berkshire Council’s (WBC) Highways Development Control Department to the access to the site, if the application was approved would destroy the rural character of the site and southern end of the lane.

·         The documentation for the application included only site plans and elevations of the proposed buildings. There was no information included on the construction of the buildings, sewerage, surfaces of the driveways or management of surface water. Thatcham Town Council’s Highways and Planning Committee expected to be able to review all of these elements when considering an application. 

·         Thatcham Town Council had declared a climate emergency and therefore it was expected that all developments should be to a high environmental standard. There was no information included in the application so that this could be assessed. 

·         Thatcham Town Council endorsed the view of the Highways Department in that each plot should have a vehicle charging point.

·         Regarding community cohesion, WBC had received nearly 300 letters of objection to the application. Many of these had been prompted due to the contravention of planning laws and regulations during the construction and occupation of the site.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.(1)