Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 25^th April 2018 (attached) and 8^th May 2018 (To Follow).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 25^th April and 8^th May 2018 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment to the minutes of 25^th April 2018:

Page 9, point 26: replace ‘Councillor von Censing’ with ‘Councillor von Celsing’.

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.

Councillors Jeff Beck, Billy Drummond and Anthony Pick declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(1) 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.

Councillors Hilary Cole and James Cole declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(2), but reported that, as his/her/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.

(Councillors Jeff Beck and Anthony Pick declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4 (1) by virtue of the fact that they were members of Newbury Town Council and its Planning and Highways Committee. 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.)

(Councillor Billy Drummond declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4 (1) by virtue of the fact that he was a member of Greenham Parish Council and the application had been discussed. 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.)

1.    The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 18/00529/FULEXT in respect of a proposal for the erection of 36 dwellings with associated roads, amenity open space, and access to New Road at Land West of New Road, North of Pyle Hill, Newbury.

2.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr John Hanlon – Glanville, Mr John Baker – BSG Ecology and Ms Laura Cox– Pro Vision, Planning and Design (Winchester), applicant/agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

3.    Michael Butler introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material considerations. He clarified that the application was almost identical to an application previously approved by the Committee. That application had been found to be invalid so a new application was submitted. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable and a conditional approval was justifiable subject to the completion of a S106 planning obligation. Officers strongly recommended the Committee grant planning permission.

4.    Ms Cox in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         The application was almost identical to the application approved by the Committee in January with only one vote against. There had been no change in circumstances and fewer objections than the previous application.

·         The application accorded with all the Council’s relevant policies.

·         The Council would be reliant on the development of the site to meet its five year housing supply requirements.

·         The proposed development would offer 14 units of affordable housing in a low density development.

·         A footway link to a proposed development site to the north west was included in the new application.

·         Trees and hedges on the site would be maintained, supporting a high quality environment.

·         A S106 contribution would be made in addition to the provision of on-site affordable housing.

5.    Councillor Jeff Beck asked why the developer would make a financial contribution to affordable off-site in addition to the 40% affordable units on the proposed site. Ms Cox advised that Council officers had requested an additional contribution.

6.    Councillor Paul Bryant noted that the footpath along New Road would at points mean the highway was narrowed and asked for a view in the event that the Committee requested it to be moved. Ms Cox advised that the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(1)

(Councillor Hilary Cole declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that she was a member of Chieveley Parish Council and had been present when the matter was discussed. 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.)

1.    The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 17/03553/FULD in respect of a proposal for the erection of a three bedroom rural workers dwelling associated with Curridge Green Riding School at land east of Curridge Green Riding School.

2.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mrs Lesley Dick, supporter, and Mrs Sara Dutfield, applicant/agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

3.    Derek Carnegie introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material considerations. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was unacceptable and a conditional approval was not justifiable. Officers clearly recommended the Committee refuse planning permission.

4.    Mrs Dick in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         She was speaking as one of 39 supporters of the application and had lived in Curridge for 30 years.

·         The applicant, Mrs Dempsted, had agreed to take over the management of the stables.

·         The Riding School was valued by the community and helped to foster a love of the countryside in children.

·         The Council should nurture rural businesses.

·         The situation was a special case.

5.    Councillor Garth Simpson asked what the Riding School’s customer base was. Mrs Dick advised that she could not give a figure but it was busy particularly in evenings and weekends.

6.    Mrs Dutfield in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         The landowner sought to retire and handover management of the business to Mrs Dempster due to his age and deteriorating health.

·         The view of Reading Agricultural Consultants (RAC) was that Mrs Dempster could continue to move into the applicant’s property while the landowner was on holiday. This was unreasonable and impractical. The current owner could not provide 24 hour cover to the yard.

·         The business required investment and the sale of land to the applicant for the proposed dwelling would support capital to be raised and reinvested in the yard.

·         It was intended to sell the entire business to Mrs Dempster in the future.

·         The size of the proposed dwelling had been criticised in the committee report but had been designed to meet Mrs Dempster’s needs.

7.    Councillor Beck asked how long the house would take to build. Mrs Dutfield advised that it would be six months.

8.    Councillor Pick asked how many people were required to be on site overnight. Mrs Dutfield advised that one person was needed overnight and there were usually more during the day.

9.    Councillor Simpson asked why the sale of land for the dwelling was not connected to the business. Mrs Dutfield advised that the current landowner and Mrs Dempster had reached their own arrangement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.(2)