Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 19 July 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2017 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the 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 Jeff Beck, Billy Drummond and Anthony Pick declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(1), but reported that, as their interests were 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 Clive Hooker declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(2), but reported that, as his interest was 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 Paul Hewer declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(1), and reported that, as his interest was an disclosable pecuniary interest or a other registrable interest, he would be leaving the meeting during the course of consideration of 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. 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 Paul Hewer declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that he was employed by a Social Housing Provider. As his interest was personal and prejudicial and a disclosable pecuniary interest, he would be leaving the meeting during the course of consideration of the matter and would take no part in the debate or voting on the matter.)

In accordance with his declaration of interest Councillor Hewer left the meeting at 6.35pm.

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 17/01096/OUTMAJ in respect of land to the north of Pinchington Lane, Greenham.

2.     In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Ms Lucy Crofts, objector, and Ms Laura Cox (Pro Vision), Mr Simon Cook (Hydrock), Mr Peter Shepherd (BSG Ecology), Mr John Birch (Glanville), 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. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable and a conditional approval was justifiable. Officers consequently recommended the Committee grant planning permission.

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

·                     She lived in Water Lane and had objected to the previous application.

·                     She wished to suggest the Committee refuse the application as it was acting in opposition to the Housing Site Allocation Development Plan Document (HSADPD), which stated that these sites had a master-plan. She felt that there was no evidence of this or a plan that dealt with the cumulative traffic and ecological protection of the area, and that development was happening piece-meal.

·                     She felt that there would be road safety issues where cycle and footpaths emerged onto Greenham Road, especially for children travelling to school.

·                     She explained that the accumulated increase in traffic from all the four sites would exceed the 3% allowable maximum.

·                     The HSADPD did not suggest a need for a Greenham Road access and she saw no reason to have one.

·                     She was heartened that Councillors had been listening and that the convenant would remain in place on the public open-space, however she was unsure of its credibility, as the space was still being developed. She would like to see the Landowner working with the Fields in Trust organisation on a Deed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.(1)

(Councillor Clive Hooker declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that he had been lobbied. 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 Paul Hewer did not return to the meeting.

Due to the declaration of interest of the Chairman and in the absence of the Vice-Chairman of the Western Area Planning Committee, Members RESOLVED that Councillor Hilary Cole be appointed as Chairman of this item only.

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 17/01235/COMIND in respect of the erection of a free range egg laying unit.

2.     In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Dr Allen Careless (on behalf of residents of Beedon Common), objector, and Mr Roger Gent and Mr Ian Pick, 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 not acceptable and a conditional approval was not justifiable. Officers consequently recommended the Committee refuse planning permission. He further informed the Members that if they chose to approve planning permission, this application would be referred to the District Planning Committee, as it was against their own policy.

4.     Councillor Hilary Cole noted that there was no request made by the Parish Council to speak on this item. It was regrettable that Beedon Parish Council had not commented on the application, as it would have helped the Committee make their decision. The Chairman felt strongly that some  comment should have been forthcoming. If a member of the Parish Council had an interest in the application they should have left the room to allow for forthright and open discussion by the remaining members. There were mechanisms in place, as had occurred with Councillor Clive Hooker and Councillor Paul Hewer at this Committee, to allow for such an occasion.

5.     Dr Careless in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         He was speaking on behalf of the residents of Beedon Common

·         The neighbouring cottages were 200-300 yards from the development; relatively close in such an open landscape.

·         He and his neighbours had chosen to live in the area because of the openness and they felt passionate about protecting it. They commended the officers for their report and excellent analysis.

·         They understood Roger Gent’s wish to sustain his business, but felt this was the wrong development in the wrong place.

·         He felt the visual impact of such an industrial scale development was unacceptable and it had been sited in the worst place it could be within the farm.

·         Due to the topography of the land, the unit would be clearly visible for miles away on the public rights of way (PROW).

·         The emphasis on screening was inappropriate, as the block of trees in an open landscape would emphasise the incongruity of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.(2)

(Councillor Clive Hooker returned to the Chair at 8.35pm.)

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