Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 20 November 2019 and 4 December 2019.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2019 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2019 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendments:

Item 32(1) – 19/01063/COMIND – land south of Ravenswing Farm, Adjoining Aldermaston Road and Silchester Road, Tadley

Member Questions to the Agent (first paragraph, final sentence):

The Chairman felt that Councillor Macro’s second question relating to the level of support was not relevant and stated that Mr Mitchell did not have to answer this question.

Member Questions to Officers (third paragraph, first sentence):

David Pearson (Development Control Team Leader) stated that if the application was approved with that condition then the Action Plan could be approved.

Conditions

Additional condition of approval:

24. Grampian Condition.

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.

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 19/02490/FUL in respect of a Section 73A application to vary conditions 3 and 12 to increase time limits on previously approved application 19/00031/FUL: Shed to be removed by 30/08/20. Dayrooms to be completed by 30/08/20. Retrospective application for the siting of two dayrooms, two mobile homes and two touring caravans for occupation by Gypsies/Travellers. Creation of new access onto highway. Enclosure of site by fencing.

Michael Butler, Principal Planning Officer, introduced the report. He clarified that the original time limit for implementation of these two conditions was 30/11/19. This had not been complied with and this application was to extend the time limit until 30/08/20 (exactly one year post the decision).

The update report contained the formal consultation response from Network Rail. They had no objection to the deletion of condition 9 (externally generated noise from the rail line), and in addition did not object to the proposed revised timescales for the submission of details in relation to drainage and land stability. Their response stated that any damage which might occur on the application site would be the responsibility of the applicant.

Mr Butler highlighted the correction in the update report to paragraph 6.19 of the report. The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charge should read as approximately £9,000 and not £6,000. However, it had been indicated by the applicant that it might prove financially difficult to pay this charge.

Advice contained in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, a national policy that sat alongside the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), stated that in relation to gypsy/traveller accommodation the personal circumstances of the applicant could be taken into account, including financial matters. This was therefore a material factor to be taken into account by the Committee.

The application was recommended for conditional planning permission.

Mr Butler concluded his presentation by stating the view that, subject to approval, if these conditions were not complied with then it was very unlikely that any further application would be considered favourably. If there was non-compliance then enforcement action would be taken.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Tony Renouf, Parish Council representative, Mr Spencer Copping, agent, and Councillor Graham Pask, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish Council Representation:

Mr Renouf in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·                    Woolhampton Parish Council considered the proposal in October 2019 and at that time objected to the application. This was based on the fact that the applicant was originally seeking to vary condition 3 to allow three years from the grant of permission to complete the dayrooms.

·                    However, the changes that had since been made to reduce this timeframe meant that the Parish Council’s objection was no longer valid and was therefore withdrawn.

·                    The Parish was hopeful that the applicant would abide by all of the planning conditions. Mr Renouf particularly highlighted conditions 2, 6 and 12. He would like assurance that adherence to conditions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.(1)

A date of 22 January 2020 at 9.30am was agreed for site visits if necessary. This was in advance of the next Eastern Area Planning Committee scheduled for 29 January 2020. Councillor Andy Williamson gave his apologies for the site visit.

Councillor Graham Pask gave his apologies for the next Planning Committee. Councillor Tony Linden would be acting as his substitute.