Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 12 April 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th April 2017 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendments:

Item 1, Page 8, 6^th bullet point, 2^nd sentence: should read as follows “There were no objections from the AONB and the proposal was described as being ‘simple and sympathetic’

Item 1, page 10, paragraph 3, second sentence: should read as follows “At the vote, four voted against and three in favour”

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 Richard Crumly declared an interest in Agenda Item 4 (1), but reported that, as his interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

(Councillor Richard Crumly declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4 (1) by virtue of the fact that he was a Member of Thatcham Town Council and had been present at the meeting where the item had been discussed, however, he had no preconceived opinion and would consider the item afresh. 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 17/00182/COMIND in respect of a scheme that comprised of the construction of a flood detention basin with an area of 1.7ha. and 2.8m high earth bund to the south, in farmland to the north of Floral Way, Thatcham. The crest of the bund would have a level of 90.5m AOD and accommodate a 50m length spillway at a level of 90.0m AOD. A 0.6m diameter flapped culvert would incorporate an existing ditch to the east of the proposed basin. As a feature of the scheme, there would be realignment of 370m of the existing ditch to the north of the site taking the flow through the basin. The base level of the detention basin was to be set at 87.25m AOD and would utilise the existing 1.2m by 0.6m box culvert under Floral Way as an outlet control. The scheme would provide a Standard of Protection against flooding of 1 in 100 year plus Climate Change.

Prior to the Planning Officer’s introduction to the report, Councillor Graham Pask made reference to the need for Members to follow the speaking rights procedure outlined in the Council’s Constitution. This required the Committee to move directly to representations from Parishes, members of the public etc following the Planning Officer’s introduction. Questions to Officers needed to be held until all presentations had completed.

Planning Officer, Masie Masiiwa, introduced the report to the Committee. The main issues for consideration included:

·         the principle of the development;

·         potential impact on amenities and residents close by, and;

·         that the site was outside of the settlement boundary.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Stuart Clark, applicant, and Councillor Sheila Ellison, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Stuart Clark in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Dunston Park was part of one of the eight flood alleviation schemes in and around Thatcham, that were being implemented due to flooding suffered in 2007.

·         The flood alleviation schemes would collectively help protect the whole of Thatcham from flooding in the future.

·         The scheme in question would collect surface water run off and release water in to the underground sewage system.

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

·         The scheme would benefit 512 houses in Thatcham and would collect water from Dunston Green through to Soley Hill.

·         There were a number of reasons why the basin was proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.(1)