Issue - meetings

1.      The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 25/02139/REG3 in respect of erection of floodlighting, Faraday Road Football Ground, Faraday Road, Newbury, RG14 2AD.

2.      Mr Matthew Shepherd (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 Development Manager be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

3.      In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Vaughan Miller, Town Council representative, Mr Alan Pearce and Ms Paula Saunderson objectors, Mr Danny Langford and Mr Lee McDougall, supporters, Mr Jon Winstanley, applicant, and Councillor Nigel Foot, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish/Town Council Representation

4.      Mr Miller addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed here:

Western Area Planning Committee – Recording

Member Questions to the Parish/Town Council

5.      Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Objector Representation

6.      Mr Pearce and Ms Saunderson addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed here:

Western Area Planning Committee – Recording

Member Questions to the Objector

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

·       Ms Saunderson confirmed her view that the application should not be determined as it had not been properly validated according to national and local checklists.

·       Ms Saunderson’s objection was based on the process and document inaccuracies, not the principle of the floodlights.

·       Mr Pearce confirmed the letter of 6 March 2026 stated that the application had been amended to be solely for the erection of floodlights, removing the elements that had been subject to objection.

Supporter Representation

8.      Mr Langford and Mr McDougall addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed here:

Western Area Planning Committee - Recording

Member Questions to the Supporter

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

·       To the best of his knowledge, Mr McDougal confirmed that the proposed positions of the floodlights and power connections were the same as those that were previously removed.

·       With careful management, the pitch could be used for training two of three evenings a week in addition to weekend matches.

Applicant/Agent Representation

10.   Mr Winstanley addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed here:

Western Area Planning Committee - Recording

Member Questions to the Applicant

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

·       'FL-11' was the floodlight model name and was not related to the height, which was 15 metres.

Ward Member Representation

12.   Councillor Foot addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed here:

Western Area Planning Committee – Recording

Member Questions to the Ward Member

13.   Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Member Questions to Officers

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

·       While the submitted plan's scale did not match the guidance in the local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3