Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 22 February 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2017 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment:

Page 6 Point 3, last sentence in the first paragraph, to be changed to read ‘The plans were inaccurate and the agent had since confirmed there would be Juliet balconies’.

A discussion was held regarding the Juliet balconies, with some Members recalling that there would be no Juliet balconies. Officers agreed to check the plans.

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.

1.    The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 16/02529/OUTD in respect of an outline application for change of use of part of existing agricultural field to residential and the erection of 5 no. detached dwelling houses with ancillary garages, access, parking, landscaping and associated works. The matters to be considered were access and layout.

2.    Derek Carnegie introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material considerations. In addition, Derek Carnegie indicated the information in the update sheet regarding a recent High Court judgement regarding affordable housing and advised that the recommendation had been amended from the original report to include the requirement for a Section 106 contribution. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable and a conditional approval was justifiable. Officers recommended the Committee grant planning permission.

3.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mike Munro, Parish Council representative, Simon Vanstone, objector, and Kirstin Gray, applicant/agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

4.    Mr Munro in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         The Parish Council has opposed proposed development on the site ever since its inclusion in the Housing Sites Allocation Development Plan Document (DPD).

·         The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) stated that ridge lines and gaps needed to be protected.

·         The proposed development was for five homes and if refused would not have a significant impact on the Council’s land supply as thousands of new homes were needed in the District.

·         The Cold Ash Village Design Statement set out a preference for smaller affordable dwellings as infill development. The proposed development was for five executive houses, of which Cold Ash had many.

·         Smaller dwellings were needed to attract and retain younger people to the village and also to offer downsizers suitable accommodation.

·         The development would be intrusive and interrupt views over the Kennet Valley.

·         The development would be unsightly.

·         The development was not in a sustainable location; there were no footpaths on the road and it was 0.75 miles to the nearest shops and there was no bus service.

·         The village already had an issue with the speed and volume of traffic at peak times.

·         Developers usually sought a rapid sale of new properties and in Mr Munro’s experience larger properties took a long time to sell in Cold Ash.

5.    Councillor Paul Bryant noted that Mr Munro had mentioned affordable housing and asked whether there was a bus service along the Ridge. Mr Munro replied that there was not.

6.    Councillor Virginia von Celsing noted that Mr Munro had advised that Cold Ash needed smaller properties and asked whether the Parish Council had conducted a housing needs survey; Mr Munro replied that they had not but the local housing market, with larger houses remaining on the market for long periods of time, indicated that there was a low demand for that type of property. He was aware of a number of residents in the village who would like to downsize but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.(1)