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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Calcot Centre, Highview (off Royal Avenue), Calcot

Contact: Stephen Chard / Charlene Hurd / Jessica Bailiss 

Items
No. Item

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 202 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of this Committee held on 2 May 2018 and 8 May 2018.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meetings held on 2 May 2018 and 8 May 2018 were approved as true and correct records and signed by the Chairman.

4.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Emma Webster declared an interest in Agenda Items 4(1) and 4(2), but reported that, as her interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillor Tim Metcalfe declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(5), and reported that, as his interest was a disclosable pecuniary interest, he would be leaving the meeting during the course of consideration of the matter.

All Committee Members declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(5), 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.

5.

Schedule of Planning Applications

(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.)

5.(1)

Application No. & Parish: 17/01683/MINMAJ - Veolia Environmental Services, Padworth IWMF, Padworth Lane, Lower Padworth pdf icon PDF 525 KB

Proposal:

S73: Variation of condition 7 'Hours of operation (HWRC)' of previously approved application 14/01111/MINMAJ: Section 73A: Variation of Condition 16 - Travel Plan, of planning permission reference 13/01546/MINMAJ.

Location:

Veolia Environmental Services, Padworth IWMF, Padworth Lane, Lower Padworth

Applicant:

Veolia ES (West Berkshire) Ltd

Recommendation:

To DELEGATE to the Head of Development & Planning to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION for the reasons outlined in Section 7.2 of the report.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Graham Pask opened the meeting by proposing that the speaking rights for agenda items 4(1) and 4(2) would be combined due to the linkage between the two items. Therefore, each group of speakers for these items would have up to ten minutes each to address the Committee. Once these combined representations had concluded, individual debates would be held and specific resolutions formed for both items. Members unanimously agreed to this proposal.

Standard speaking rights would resume from item 4(3).

Councillor Emma Webster declared a personal interest in Agenda Items 4(1) and 4(2) by virtue of the fact that through her work, she worked with Pegasus Planning. However, the representative, Mr Kirby, was not known to her. 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 17/01683/MINMAJ in respect of a Section 73 application to vary Condition 7 ‘Hours of operation (HWRC)’ of previously approved application 14/01111/MINMAJ and a Section 73a application to vary Condition 16 ‘Travel Plan’ of planning permission reference 13/01546/MINMAJ.

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 17/01684/MINMAJ in respect of a change of use application to amend the approved details to enable the receipt of non-recyclable waste at the Household Waste Recycling Facility.

Andrew Morrow (Team Leader (Minerals and Waste)) presented the two items. He started by explaining that, as seen in the agenda, two reports had been produced and two separate resolutions would need to be formed by the Committee. Mr Morrow then highlighted a number of key issues:

·                  The proposals were in line with the Waste Local Plan for Berkshire (dated December 1998) and the Padworth site was allocated as part of this.

·                  The original 2008 planning applications were given consent on the basis that there would have been a maximum throughput of 7,200 tonnes per annum. The current proposal would have a smaller 6,000 tonnes per annum. The Padworth site would only serve West Berkshire residents and traffic distribution had been revisited based on this fact with 62.8% A4 East, 18.1% Padworth Lane, 15% A4 West and 4.1% A340. Updated 2017 traffic surveys were used to assess the applications with all traffic models updated for up to 2022. There were traffic increases for the am peak period (8am – 9am) but the modelling results did not show any significant impact and was considered acceptable by Officers. Highways Officers and also a Highways Consultant employed on behalf of the Council had concluded that the Environmental and Transport Assessments were suitable without the need for additional mitigation. There were errors in the weekend traffic figures on pages 47, 48, 128 and 129. The Highways Officer would give more detail if required, but overall conclusions were unaffected.

·                  Officers had also concluded environmental factors, i.e. air pollution and noise impact, would not have a considerable impact. Conditions would also help to mitigate the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(1)

5.(2)

Application No. & Parish: 17/01684/MINMAJ - Veolia Environmental Services, Padworth IWMF, Padworth Lane, Lower Padworth pdf icon PDF 497 KB

Proposal:

Change of use to amend the approved details to enable the receipt of non-recyclable waste at the Household Waste Recycling Facility

Location:

Veolia Environmental Services, Padworth IWMF, Padworth Lane, Lower Padworth

Applicant:

Veolia ES (West Berkshire) Ltd

Recommendation:

To DELEGATE to the Head of Development & Planning to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION for the reasons outlined in Section 7.2 of the report.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The debate and decision taken for Agenda Item 4(2), concerning Planning Application 17/01684/MINMAJ, in respect of a change of use application to amend the approved details to enable the receipt of non-recyclable waste at the Household Waste Recycling Facility, was recorded within the minute for Agenda Item 4(1) due to the linkage between the two applications.

5.(3)

Application No. & Parish: 17/03411/OUTMAJ - Land north of Stretton Close, Bradfield Southend pdf icon PDF 414 KB

Proposal:

Outline application for the proposed erection of 11 no. new dwellings; layout, means of access and scale to be considered.

Location:

Land North Of Stretton Close, Bradfield Southend, Reading, Berkshire

Applicant:

Westbuild Homes

Recommendation:

To DELEGATE to the Head of Development & Planning to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

OR

If the legal agreement is not completed by the 23 July 2018, to DELEGATE to the Head of Planning & Countryside to REFUSE PLANNING PERMISSION.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(3)) concerning Planning Application 17/03411/OUTMAJ in respect of an outline application for the proposed erection of 11 no. new dwellings on land to the rear of Stretton Close. Matters for consideration in detail at this stage were layout, access and scale only. All other matters (appearance and landscape) were intended to be dealt with in detail at the reserved matters stage should the application be approved.

Masie Masiiwa, the Planning Officer, in introducing the report stated that the proposal would deliver 2 x two bedroom dwellings; 1 x three bedroom dwelling and 8 x four bedroom dwellings. Access into the application site was via a gated entrance in the southern boundary of the application site and the gate was accessed off Stretton Close and between nos. 7 and 9 Stretton Close onto an existing turning head.

The immediate area was rural in character, being located within the North Wessex Downs AONB. The area was characterised by linear ribbon developments along Southend Road, and the existing Stretton Close development. There had also been very small limited infill developments and further limited development in terms of depth. New development in this location should respect the local distinctiveness and rural landscape character.

The application site was located mostly within the recently reviewed settlement boundary with the settlement boundary line dissecting the site. Policy HSA 22 of the HSADPD was the site specific policy for the application site. The allocated site had a developable area of approximately 0.6 hectares and the Policy allocated approximately 10 dwellings, taking into account the outcomes of the Landscape Capacity Assessment (2014). According to the HSADPD, this site was expected to deliver early and to contribute immediately to the supply of land needed to demonstrate a five year housing land supply. The proposed development would provide up to 11 dwellings within a 0.7 hectare area of residential development. The total site area was 1 hectare, with 0.3 hectares of the land covered by the trees along the boundaries and within the site. The residential area shown on the Illustrative Landscape Plan was not consistent with the HSADPD plan, however it had undergone landscape appraisal in its own right and to ensure the protected trees could be retained and protected, the proposed developable area had been slightly reviewed. The Council’s Tree Officer stated that the landscaping for the site, needed to take the existing site features into consideration, its position in the countryside and the future relationship with existing residents, the boundaries would need to be landscaped to improve on the already existing site features and natural screening and help reduce any visual impact of new dwellings.

Following the Committee site visit, the application was deferred from the Planning Committee scheduled for 11 April 2018. The Planning Policy team had now provided comments in respect of affordable housing and had indicated that given this site was greater than 0.5 hectares and was a greenfield site, the policy would require  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(3)

5.(4)

Application No. & Parish: 18/00332/FULD - Pamber Green, Blandys Lane, Upper Basildon pdf icon PDF 161 KB

Proposal:

Replacement house type for previously approved plot 1 under application 17/02446/FULD

Location:

Pamber Green, Blandys Lane, Upper Basildon, Reading, Berkshire RG8 8PG

Applicant:

Bellmore Homes

Recommendation:

To DELEGATE to the Head of Development and Planning to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to the conditions set out in Section 8.1 of the report.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(4)) concerning Planning Application 18/00332/FULD in respect of a replacement house type for previously approved plot 1 under application 17/02446/FULD.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Ian Parsons, Parish Council representative, and Mr Mark Williamson, objector, addressed the Committee on this application.

Mr Parsons in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         The Parish Council had consistently objected to proposals for the site and viewed there to be problematic features with this planning application.

·         It was felt that this application represented an attempt to maximise profit from the site at the expense of the immediate environment and local residents, as well as negatively impacting on those living more widely in the village and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The proposal was out of keeping for the area.

·         Larger windows were proposed. This would result in overlooking of neighbouring properties. It was proposed that the house for plot 1 would be built closer to the road, increasing the overlooking/overbearing concern.

·         It was also the case that the hedge, which had previously covered the frontage of the plot, had been removed in its entirety as had some trees, prior to the submission of any planning applications for housing.

·         There would be an increased loss of the view for walkers in Blandys Lane.

·         An amendment was proposed to the roof which was a concern for the Parish, as was the small increase in the overall floor area.

·         The Parish Council considered that approval of this application would result in a worsened impact on neighbours than that arising from the already approved dwelling.

Councillor Alan Law sought to understand the extent to which the dwelling would be moved from that already approved. Mr Parsons confirmed that the frontage of the property would be moved a matter of metres towards the road.

Mr Williamson in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         He lived in the neighbouring Moorings property and was also speaking on behalf of other directly affected neighbours.

·         The windows proposed for the front of the property had been changed. They would be increased in size and moved. The move of the master bedroom window would result in his property being directly overlooked, impacting on their privacy.

·         The proposed location of the bay windows on the ground floor would impact on the privacy of his Moorings property by overlooking the bathroom. There would be a two metre difference between the ground floor windows of his and the proposed property.

·         No screening would be in place during the winter months.

·         The design had been changed and the plot size increase from that approved.

·         If this application was approved, the two new dwellings would be symmetrical. This would not be in keeping with the area, which was one of unique character properties.

·         Approval of the application would do nothing to enhance the AONB any more than the already approved application. Refusal was requested.

Councillor Richard Crumly asked whether overlooking could be avoided if evergreen foliage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(4)

5.(5)

Application No. & Parish: 18/00415/FULD - Home Farm, Purley Village, Purley On Thames pdf icon PDF 117 KB

Proposal:

Demolition of existing bungalow and double car port, erection of replacement house with triple car port and storage. New roof and cladding to existing outbuilding.

Location:

Home Farm, Purley Village, Purley On Thames, Reading, Berkshire

Applicant:

Mr and Mrs Timothy Metcalfe

Recommendation:

To DELEGATE to the Head of Development & Planning to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to the conditions set out insection 8.1 of this report.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillor Tim Metcalfe declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 4(5) by virtue of the fact that he was the applicant for the planning application. As his interest was personal and prejudicial and a disclosable pecuniary interest, he would be leaving the meeting during the course of consideration of the matter and would take no part in the debate or voting on the matter other than to speak as the applicant).

(All Committee Members declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(5) by virtue of the fact that the applicant was known to them as a fellow Councillor and Committee Member. 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.)

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(5)) concerning Planning Application 18/00415/FULD in respect of the demolition of an existing bungalow and double car port, the erection of a replacement house with triple car port and storage, and new roof and cladding to existing outbuilding.

Simon Till, the Planning Officer, introduced the report and stated that the application site was located outside of the settlement boundary, in land defined as countryside under Policy ADPP1 of the Core Strategy and situated within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site consisted of an existing bungalow which had been extended over the course of several previous planning permissions.

The proposed works were for the demolition of the existing bungalow on the site and the erection of a two storey replacement dwelling on a similar footprint to the existing bungalow. The office accommodation to the north of the existing dwelling would be retained via works to separate it from the main dwelling, make good the demolition works, clad the building in feather board and re-roof it and a triple garage and store building was proposed to be erected to the rear of the site, adjacent to the north-eastern boundary. Previous planning permission was granted by the Eastern Area Planning Committee for a two storey replacement dwelling on this site on 26 October 2016.

The existing dwelling was a large, considerably extended bungalow. Nevertheless, despite its size and considerable footprint it was relatively low key in form, due in part to the substantial screening offered by the existing surrounding hedge, and in part to the low ridge height of approximately five metres and the simplicity of design. By contrast, the proposed replacement dwelling would be a more imposing building, with an overall ridge height of approximately 9.7 metres opposed to the 8.5 metre ridge height of the previously approved replacement dwelling. Nevertheless it was noted that the proposed building was a farmhouse, situated amongst land including a farm, farm buildings and other two storey dwellings, and therefore a large main farm dwelling would not be uncommon to find in such circumstances.

It was noted that the proposed replacement dwelling would occupy a slightly smaller floor area than that of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(5)

6.

Appeal Decisions relating to Eastern Area Planning pdf icon PDF 39 KB

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

Minutes:

(Councillor Tim Metcalfe returned to the meeting at 9.10pm).

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

7.

Site Visits

Minutes:

The 6 June 2018 was agreed for site visits if necessary. This was in advance of the Eastern Area Planning Committee scheduled for 13 June 2018 which would commence at the earlier time of 5.30pm.