Issue - meetings

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 22/02269/LBC2 in respect an application for Listed Building Consent at 15 Bridge Street, Hungerford, RG17 0EG.

2.     Mr Simon Till, Team Leader – Development Control, 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 Service Director for Development and Regulation be authorised to grant Listed Building Consent, subject to the conditions outlined in the main report.

3.     The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard, Highways, if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Goddard did not have any observations.

Ward Member Representation

4.     Councillor Claire Rowles in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         The application was for retrospective consent, which should not be how planning matters were dealt with by West Berkshire Council.

·         Councillor Rowles noted that she had advised Hungerford Town Council that she would speak on their behalf, and that they were watching the application with interest.

·         Two planning applications had been refused on the site, in 1985 and 2022, seeking to create another separate flat. The applicant then sought a Certificate of Lawfulness for using part of the first floor as a flat. The applicant appeared to have ignored the need to seek planning permission, which was required, instead seeking to remedy the use of the first floor through retrospective consent. If the Committee approved the Officer’s recommendations it would be encouraging to other residents to ignore the planning process.

·         The application before the Committee was to approve the filling in of the entrance to the wing of the flat, and to install a door. It was clear at the site visit that to properly consider the Listed Building Consent application the Committee would have to consider all aspects of planning, including the Certificate of Lawfulness. No Listed Building Consent had been sought for the stairs or other internal changes.

·         It was unclear why Planning Officers had approved the Certificate of Lawfulness the day before the Committee meeting, when the application was linked to the application before the Committee.

·         Councillor Rowles concluded that there was a clear, calculated effort by the applicant to ultimately achieve planning permission in stages.

5.     Councillor James Cole in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Councillor Cole noted that Hungerford Town Council had accepted that there was evidence that the door previously existed, and as a result, it could not be contested. However, the justification for the application was that Council Tax had been paid on the previously unapproved flat.

·         Councillor Cole noted that the Ward Members’ aim was for the Committee to defer the application until all of the applications relating to the site could be considered. However, the actions of the Planning Officers in issuing the Certificate of Lawfulness had forced the Committee’s hand.

·         As Heritage Champion, Councillor Cole questioned the point of Listed Building Consent if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23