Issue - meetings

1.      The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 3(1)) concerning Planning Application 24/00908/FUL - 6 Northcroft Lane, Newbury - in respect of a proposal to utilise the building as a SEND School.

2.      Gemma Kirk 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 Development Manager be authorised to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to the conditions listed in the report.

3.      The Chairman asked Paul Goddard if he had any observations relating to the application, he noted the following:

·       Highway Officers had assessed this proposal on the basis of the existing uses for the site and considered that the traffic and parking impact from the site was significantly reduced.

4.    Due to a misunderstanding on the requirement to register to speak at Committee, Councillor Andy Moore, Town Council Representative, was not registered to speak for this item. Members resolved to suspend Standing Orders in order to allow Councillor Moore to speak and to reinstate Standing Orders after he had made his representation and answered Members’ questions.

5.      In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Andy Moore, Town Council representative, Adrian and Helen Gadd, supporters and Gareth Jones, agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Town Council Representation

6.      Councillor Moore addressed the Committee – his representation can be viewed here:

Special Western Area Planning Committee - Tuesday 16h July 2024 (22:05)

Member Questions to the Town Council

7.    Members asked a question of clarification and were given the following response:

·       They were attempting to encourage extra measures to ensure that the double yellow lines were enforced.

(Standing Orders were reinstated.)

Supporter Representations

8.    Despite joining the meeting remotely, Mr and Mrs Gadd were unable to deliver their representation due to technical issues.

Member Questions to the supporters

9.      Members were unable to ask questions of clarification of the supporters.

Applicant/Agent Representation

10.   Mr Jones addressed the Committee – his representation can be viewed here:

Special Western Area Planning Committee - Tuesday 16h July 2024 (29:00)

Member Questions to the Applicant/Agent

11.   Members asked a number of questions of clarification and were given the following responses:

·       The allocated parking was for pick up and drop off by the school minibus.

·       The Flood Risk Assessment detailed several mitigation measures that were to be put in place, the flood evacuation plan also produced further measures to ensure safety.

·       The number of students proposed was 15 and the application was limited to such by the conditions.

·       The applicant’s consultants utilised the flood data that was available to them.

·       They were completely content that all parking was exclusively for pick up and drop off.

Member Questions to Officers

12.   Members asked questions of clarification and were given the following responses:

·       Paul Goddard advised the nursery use of the site was an existing one which could resume at any given time. The previous use as a nursery would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2