Agenda and minutes

Minutes for the meetings held on 4 November and 11 November 2020 are not available for approval due to technical difficulties, but will be published at the following meeting on 16 December 2020.

The Minutes of the meetings held on 4 and 11 November 2020 were delayed due to technical issues and will be presented at the next meeting of the Western Area Planning Committee.

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 Adrian Abbs, Phil Barnett, Dennis Benneyworth, Jeff Cant, Carolyne Culver, Hilary Cole, Tony Vickers and Howard Woollaston 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, declared an interest in Agenda Item 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.

Councillors Dennis Benneyworth, and Hilary Cole declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(3), 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.

(Councillor Phil Barnett also declared that he was a member of Newbury Town Council’s Planning and Highways Committee but reported that, as his interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Councillor Hilary Cole declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1), as she was Ward Member for Chieveley and Cold Ash, however she was not a Member of Cold Ash Parish Council. As her interests were personal and not prejudicial, or a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Councillor Tony Vickers declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) that he had commented on this site as a member of West Berkshire Spokes. As his interests were personal and not prejudicial, or a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Councillors Adrian Abbs, Phil Barnett, Dennis Benneyworth, Jeff Cant, Hilary Cole, Carolyne Culver, Tony Vickers and Howard Woollaston declared that they had been lobbied Agenda Item 4(1).)

1.         The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 20/00604/FULEXT in respect of Coley Farm, Stoney Lane, Ashmore Green. The applicant sought permission for the erection of 75 dwellings, with associated access, parking, internal roads, drainage, landscaping, children's play space and other associated infrastructure.

2.         Mr Simon Till, Principal Planning Officer, introduced the report to Members, which took account of all relevant policy considerations and other material planning considerations. In conclusion, the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable in planning terms, provided that a Section 106 Agreement could be completed by the required date. Officers recommended to approve the application subject to the conditions outlined in the report and update sheet.

3.         The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard, Team Leader - Highways Development Control, if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Goddard confirmed that this was an allocated site with outline consent, and that traffic matters had been considered as part of the previous application. He noted that a secondary access to the north of the site had been deleted. He confirmed that off-site highway works would still be provided, including the widening of Stoney Lane, extension of the 30 mph speed limit, and provision of a footway to the south of the site. He explained that members were being asked to consider layout and that Highway Officers were happy with all aspects of the layout, car parking, cycle storage and electric vehicle charging points.

Removal of Speaking Rights

4.         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 been 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)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.(1)

(No declarations were received for this item).

1.      The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 20/01520/FULD in respect of a Section 73: Variation of condition 13 'removal of log cabin' of approved application 17/02099/FULD: Section 73A: Variation of Condition 15: Temporary log cabin permitted of approved application 13/01008/FULD: Relocation of existing dog breeding establishment involving the erection of a single storey kennel building; siting of a temporary mobile home; isolation kennel building and change of use of existing barn to ancillary storage building; the use of land as canine exercise area, associated parking, turning and landscaping (allowed on appeal APP/W0340/A/13/2206830), at Rickety Gate Farm, Hamstead Marshall

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 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.

Removal of speaking rights

3.     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.

4.     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.

5.     In accordance with the Extraordinary Council resolution, written submissions relating to this application were received from Ms Nicky Brook, agent. Ms Brook was able to attend the remote meeting.

6.     Individual written submissions were published online along with the agenda http://decisionmaking.westberks.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=155&MId=5736&Ver=4

Agent’s Submission

7.     The Clerk read out the representation. Members questioned the attendee as follows:

8.     Councillor Adrian Abbs asked for clarification as to why an inability to export had been given as a reason for delay, when there were many news reports about the shortage of dogs available to buy in the UK. He asked how important the export market was to the business. He further queried why the application was only for three years, presuming the applicant had a five year business plan, if it were a permanent business.

9.     Ms Brook explained that the Local Plan policy only allowed for three years. In terms of export, she could not provide the breakdown for the number of dogs exported, however she was aware that there were some dogs exported, and this aspect of the business had been a problem in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.(2)

(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.)

(Councillor Dennis Benneyworth declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(3) by virtue of the fact that he worked in the equestrian world, including racing, but had no connection to the applicant. 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.     In accordance with the Council’s Constitution point 7.13.5, the Committee supported the Chairman’s motion that the remaining business could be concluded by 10.30pm, and therefore continued with Agenda Item 4(3).

2.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(3)) concerning Planning Application 20/02205/HOUSE in respect of the construction of oak framed tractor and garden machinery building, construction of stable block and construction of all-weather riding arena at White Cottage, Winterbourne.

3.     Mrs 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 the proposal was acceptable in planning terms and officers recommended that the Head of Planning and Development be authorised to grant permission subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

Removal of speaking rights

4.     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.

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 Ms Clare Bassett, objector and Mr Jonathan Green, applicant. Those able to attend the remote meeting were Mr Green.

7.     Individual written submissions were published online along with the agenda:

http://decisionmaking.westberks.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=155&MId=5736&Ver=4

Objector’s Submission

8.     The Clerk read out Ms Bassett’s representation. Ms Bassett was not able to attend the remote meeting.

Applicant’s Submission

9.     The Clerk read out the representation. Members questioned the attendee as follows:

10.  Councillor Hilary Cole asked if the applicant had consulted with his neighbours. Mr Green believed that he had but it was several months ago.

11.  Councillor Howard  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.(3)

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

There are no appeal decisions to be considered at this meeting

No appeal decisions relating to the Western Area were presented to the Committee.