Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 28 April 2021. Minutes for 9 June 2021 will be available for the next meeting of the Western Area Planning Committee.

Councillor Tony Vickers proposed a non-notice procedural motion for standing orders be suspended, to permit Members (including those who are not Members of the Committee), officers and members of the public engaging remotely to speak at the option of the Chairman.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Howard Woollaston.

At the vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 April 2021 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Vice-Chairman.

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 Phil Barnett and Tony Vickers declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(2), 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.

It was noted that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda to allow for further investigation and consultation on Highway matters.

(Councillor Phil Barnett declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that he was a Member of Newbury Town Council and its Planning and Highways Committee where this 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.)

(Councillor Tony Vickers declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that he was a Member of Newbury Town Council and was present at the Planning and Highways Committee where this application had been discussed. As his interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to chair the meeting, but indicated that he would take no part in the debate or voting on the matter.)

1.    The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 20/02294/COMIND in respect of The Kiosk, Victoria Park, Newbury for the development of a new community café to replace outdated facilities and provide a new cafe with indoor/outdoor seating areas, catering facilities, public toilets, changing facilities and storage.

2.    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 planning permission, subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

3.    The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard, Highways Development Control Team Leader), if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Goddard stated that there were no objections to the proposal. However, he noted that it would affect Public Footpath Newbury 23 which ran adjacent to the site, and there was a need to protect pedestrians during construction. He supported the inclusion of an additional condition requiring a Site Access Plan to be submitted and approved prior to development works commencing, as set out in the update sheet.

4.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr David Ingram, Mr Roger Hunneman, Mr Phillip Allen, applicants, and Mr Michael Pagliaroli, agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Applicant/Agent Representation

5.    Mr David Ingram, Communities Services Manager at Newbury Town Council, in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·       The project had been considered for a long time, and been considered by the Committee in various forms over many years.

·       The Town Council no longer felt that the kiosk was fit for purpose. Its use was weather dependent and the franchisee had to plan staffing and supplies around the weather.

·       There were no facilities for the public, and the building and its catering layout needed a major catering overhaul.

·       The brick building behind was constructed as an air-raid shelter, and was a derelict shell, a common target for vandalism, and had been broken into the night before.

·       There was a need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.(2)