Issue - meetings

(Councillor Hilary Cole declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that she was a member of Chieveley Parish Council but had not been present when the planning application 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 19/02092/FULD in respect of the conversation of an agricultural barn into one x four bedroom dwelling with associated parking, turning, landscaping, private amenity space and access arrangements.

2.          In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Charles Williams, supporter, Jacqueline Percy, applicant, Mark Pettitt, applicant and Councillor Hilary Cole addressed the Committee on this application.

3.          Derek Carnegie introduced the report to Members, which had been called in by the local Ward Member.  The report took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material considerations and in conclusion it detailed that the proposal was acceptable and a conditional approval was justifiable.  Paul Goddard also confirmed that as the existing access would remain unchanged, the proposal was acceptable from a highways perspective. 

4.          Charles Williams in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·     He was one of the nearest neighbours to the application and was supportive of it.

·     He lived approximately 300 yards away from the application site and currently looked at the side of an industrial building so it would provide a more pleasant outlook and improve the view across the fields.

·     It was a remote location so the introduction of another house would further add to the social positives and he hoped planning permission would be granted.

5.          Jacqueline Percy and Mark Pettitt in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·     Mr Pettitt said the development involved the sympathetic conversion of a barn that had been on the site since the 1990s.

·     Policy C4 did not include the conversion of this type of building and the Government had introduced a policy in 2014 permitting such a conversion without planning permission.

·     It would bring a redundant barn back into use and met all the requirements of Policy C4.

·     The applicant was intending to live in the converted barn and he requested that planning permission was granted.

·     Mrs Percy said she was committed to making the conversation as sympathetic as possible and as environmentally sustainable as possible too.  In addition, it would improve the area.

6.          Councillor Claire Rowles enquired what would take the place of the demolished grain store and Mr Pettitt replied that it would form part of the garden.

7.          Councillor Hilary Cole in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·     It was an interesting application and she had called it in to test Policies C1 and C4.

·     These policies stated planning permission should be refused where a proposal would have a detrimental effect on the relationship of the existing settlement within the open countryside and the rural character of the site.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34