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Agenda and minutes

Venue: No room required. View directions

Contact: Jenny Legge 

Note: This meeting will be streamed live: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/westernareaplanninglive 

Items
No. Item

29.

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 14 October 2020 will be published in the agenda for the next meeting, on 11 November2020.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2020 will be considered at the next Western Area Planning meeting on 11 November 2020.

30.

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 Hilary Cole declared an interest in Agenda Item (4)2 and 3, and reported that, as her interest was an disclosable pecuniary interest or a other registrable interest, she would be leaving the meeting during the course of consideration of the matter.

Councillor Carolyne Culver declared that she had been lobbied on Agenda Item (4)1.

Councillor Adrian Abbs declared that he had been lobbied on Agenda Item (4)5.

31.

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).

31.(1)

Application No. and Parish: 20/01226/FUL, Land at Old Station Business Park, High Street, Compton pdf icon PDF 388 KB

Proposal:

20/01226/FUL

Location:

Land at Old Station Business Park, High Street, Compton

Applicant:

Carbosynth Ltd

Recommendation:

That the Head of Planning and Development be authorised to GRANT planning permission.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillor Carolyne Culver declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that she had been lobbied on the application and also that the application was within the Ridgeway ward she represented. 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(1)) concerning Planning Application 20/01226/FUL in respect of land at Old Station Business Park, High Street, Compton. The applicant sought retrospective permission for external works, m/e works to include ductwork, steel gantry, external plant, external enclosure (fencing), retaining walls, air handling unit and chiller, gas bottle store, solvent stores all concerning unit 10, 11, 12 (existing building). Building alterations include modifications to internal space planning, revised external door design to fire escape doors, omitting roof lights and glazed top and side panel to entrance doors (front elevation) and two windows on the east elevation at first floor and adjusted soil vent pipes (SVP) positions.

2.         Mr Matthew Shepherd, Senior Planning Officer, introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material planning considerations. In conclusion, the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable in planning terms, and officers recommended that the Head of Planning and Development be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

3.         Councillor Clive Hooker asked the Highways Officer if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Paul Goddard, Team Leader - Highways Development Control, confirmed that he had no highway objections and that previous concerns about loss of parking spaces had been addressed in the latest plans.

Removal of Speaking Rights

4.         As resolved at the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 April 2020, public speaking rights were removed for virtual Council meetings. This right was replaced with the ability to make written submissions. This decision was made in accordance with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

5.         The above changes to speaking rights were subsequently amended at the Council meeting on 10 September 2020. It was agreed that parties making written submissions in relation to a planning application would be invited to attend the remote meeting of the Planning Committee to answer any questions that Members of the Committee might wish to ask in order to seek clarification on any part of their statement.

6.         In accordance with the Extraordinary Council resolution, written submissions relating to this application were received from Mr Keith Simms on behalf of Compton Parish Council, Mr Keith Simms, Mr Peter Jones, Dr and Mrs Vaughan, objectors and Ms Jaymeni Patel, Agent. Those able to attend the remote meeting were, Mr Simms, Mr Jones and Ms Patel.

7.         Individual written submissions were published online along with the agenda - http://decisionmaking.westberks.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=155&MId=5735&Ver=4

Parish  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.(1)

31.(2)

Application No. and Parish: 20/00761/FUL, Vine Cottage, Curridge Road, Curridge pdf icon PDF 222 KB

Proposal:

Creation of ecological pond, bunds, soakaways. earthworks and a soft landscaping scheme

Location:

Vine Cottage, Curridge Road, Curridge

Applicant:

Mr S Fairhurst

Recommendation:

To delegate to the Head of Development and Planning to GRANT planning permission.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(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. 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 20/00761/FUL in respect of Vine Cottage, Curridge Road, Curridge. The application related to the creation of an ecological pond, bunds, soakaways, earthworks and a soft landscaping scheme.

2.         Ms Sian Cutts, Senior Planning Officer, introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material planning considerations. In conclusion, the report detailed that previous reasons for refusal had been overcome, and the proposal was now acceptable in planning terms and officers recommended that the Head of Planning and Development be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

3.         Councillor Clive Hooker asked Mr Stuart Clark, Principal Engineer in the Drainage and Flood Risk Management Team, if he had any observations on drainage and flooding issues relating to the application. Mr Clark confirmed that he had had an assurance from the engineer that the bund would be stable, but Mr Clark required evidence in the form of slope stability calculations. He stated his concerns about the spillway, where in the event that the pond over-topped, the downstream side of the embankment could erode and undermine its stability, so it must be reinforced. He stated that he required details of where the pond would overtop, and how the bank would be reinforced. He indicated that he had previously questioned how the soakaway outlet pipe would be maintained and had suggested a walkway along the top of the bund. However, the proposed barrel-shape to the crest of the bund would make it difficult to walk along. He confirmed that the applicant must demonstrate that the reservoir could be maintained safely. He noted that previous concerns about the location of trees and potential root ingress had been addressed.

4.         Councillor Hooker asked Mr Paul Goddard, Team Leader - Highways Development Control, if he had any highway observations in relation to the application. Mr Goddard stated that the bunds were already in place so there would be no issue with spoil being brought to site. He indicated that if Mr Clark was happy there was no threat to the public highway from flooding, then he had no objection.

Removal of Speaking Rights

5.         As resolved at the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 April 2020, public speaking rights were removed for virtual Council meetings. This right was replaced with the ability to make written submissions. This decision was made in accordance with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

6.         The above changes to speaking rights  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.(2)

31.(3)

Application No. and Parish:20/01924/HOUSE, The Bungalow, Downend, Chieveley pdf icon PDF 178 KB

Proposal:

Section 73A: Variation of Condition 1 (Rooflight windows) of previously approved application 10/02895/HOUSE: Retrospective – Velux rooflights to the east and west elevations( to comply with Condition 3 of approved permission 09/02148/HOUSE

Location:

The Bungalow, Downend, Chieveley

Applicant:

Mr and Mrs Pearce

Recommendation:

To DELEGATE to the Head of Development and Planning to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillor Hilary Cole declared a personal interest in Agenda Item (4)3 by virtue of the fact that she was a member of Chieveley Parish Council. 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(3)) concerning Planning Application 20/01924/HOUSE in respect of a Section 73A: Variation of Condition 1 (Rooflight windows) of previously approved application 10/02895/HOUSE: Retrospective – Velux rooflights to the east and west elevations (to comply with Condition 3 of approved permission 09/02148/HOUSE.

1.     Mr Simon Till, Principal Planning Officer, introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material planning considerations. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable in planning terms and officers recommended that the Head of Planning and Development be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports/for the reasons listed in the main and update reports.

Removal of speaking rights

2.     As resolved at the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 April 2020, public speaking rights had been removed for virtual Council meetings. This right had replaced with the ability to make written submissions. This decision was made in accordance with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

3.     The above changes to speaking rights were subsequently amended at the Council meeting on 10 September 2020. It was agreed that parties making written submissions in relation to a planning application would be invited to attend the remote meeting of the Planning Committee to answer any questions that Members of the Committee might wish to ask in order to seek clarification on any part of their statement.

4.     In accordance with the Extraordinary Council resolution, written submissions relating to this application were received Ms Tania Chamberlain, objector, who was also able to attend the remote meeting.

5.     Individual written submissions were published online along with the agenda: http://decisionmaking.westberks.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=155&MId=5735&Ver=4

Objector’s Submission

6.     The Clerk read out the representation. Members questioned the attendees as follows:

7.     Councillor Tony Vickers queried whether Ms Chamberlain was objecting to the window being opened a small amount at the bottom, towards her bathroom window, or to it being fully open. Ms Chamberlain explained that the existing condition had been that the window should be completely fixed shut. When the window has been fully opened, she was able to see directly into her neighbour’s room and assumed that they could see directly into her bathroom.

8.     The situation had been ongoing for over two years. There had been some exemplary tenants renting the house, however the tenant before last had removed the obscuring film from the window and opened the window completely. The latest tenant had done the same until recently. The condition had therefore not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.(3)

32.

Appeal Decisions relating to Western Area Planning Committee pdf icon PDF 378 KB

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

Minutes:

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