To report any issues with the information below please email executivecycle@westberks.gov.uk.

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber Council Offices Market Street Newbury. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services Team  This meeting will be streamed live here: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/easternareaplanninglive

Items
No. Item

18.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 544 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 24 August 2022.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 24 August 2022 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

19.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Geoff Mayes declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(3), but reported that, as his interest was a 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.

20.

Schedule of Planning Applications

(Note: The Chairman, with the consent of the Committee, reserves the right to alter the order of business on this agenda based on public interest and participation in individual applications).

20.(1)

Application No. and Parish: 21/03260/COMIND – Land North and West Of Glebe End Accessed by Shortheath Lane, Sulhamstead, Reading pdf icon PDF 246 KB

Proposal:

Change of use of agricultural land to equestrian and erection of stable block/yard, menage and creation of associated access. Retention of 4 No. temporary field shelters and mobile stable unit on skids.

Location:

Land North and West Of Glebe End Accessed by Shortheath Lane, Sulhamstead, Reading

Applicant:

Mrs Amanda Cottingham

Recommendation:

To delegate to the Service Director of Development & Regulation to GRANT PLANNING PERIMSSION subject to conditions.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman noted that Mr Peter James had originally registered to address the Committee on the planning application at its meeting on 14 September 2022, which had subsequently been cancelled. Due to holiday commitments he had been unable to re-register. In accordance with the Council’s Constitution paragraph 7.6.2, the Committee supported the Chairman’s motion that Standing Orders be suspended to allow Mr James to address the Committee. 

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 21/03260/COMIND in respect of a proposed change of use of agricultural land to equestrian and the erection of a stable block/yard and manége as well as the creation of associated access at land north and west of Glebe End, accessed by Shortheath Lane, Sulhamstead, Reading. The proposal included the retention of four temporary field shelters and mobile stable unit on skids.

Ms Sissi Yang, 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 Service Director of Development & Regulation be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Peter James, objector, and Mrs Amanda Cottingham, applicant, addressed the Committee on this application.

Objector Representation

Mr Peter James in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Mr James commented that his main concern related to the size of the development and suggested that sixteen stables, four temporary shelters, and a large manége indicated that the applicant planned a commercial business.

·         Mr James suggested that naming the location ‘Oakdown Fields’ as a google business was further evidence to suggest a planned commercial venture.

·         Mr James expressed concern at the increased use of lighting by the development and the adverse impact to local wildlife.

·         Mr James suggested that increased traffic utilising the stables would further detrimentally impact the surrounding roads.  

Member Questions to the Objector

Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Applicant Representation

Mrs Amanda Cottingham in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Mrs Cottingham clarified that the google pin had been dropped to assist in locating the property for delivery purposes.

·         Mrs Cottingham noted that condition 8 would cover any concern relating to external lighting at the development.

·         Mrs Cottingham expressed concern at the extent of the conditions required, stating that they appeared to require the submission of a further eight plans. Mrs Cottingham requested reassurance that satisfying the conditions would not lead to further delay to the development.

·         Mrs Cottingham queried why a number of the conditions had been included when they were not applicable to the development. It was requested that they be reviewed to reflect only issues relating to the application. 

·         Mrs Cottingham suggested that a number of the conditions seemed excessive given that the development was not proposed for commercial use.

Member Questions to the Applicant/Agent

Councillor Jo Stewart queried the proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.(1)

20.(2)

Application No. and Parish: 21/02767/FULMAJ – 17 Clifton House, Reading Road, Pangbourne pdf icon PDF 291 KB

Proposal:

Construction of 13 flats and courtyards with reconfigured car park. Demolition of single storey flat roofed building.

Location:

17 Clifton House, Reading Road, Pangbourne

Applicant:

PBP Ltd

Recommendation:

Grant planning permission subject to the completion of a s106 legal agreement

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 21/0276/FULMAJ in respect of a proposal to construct 13 flats and a courtyard with a reconfigured car park at 17 Clifton House, Reading Road, Pangbourne. The proposal included the demolition of a single storey flat roofed building.

Ms Emma Nutchey, Principal 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 Service Director for Development and Regulation be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a s106 agreement and subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Les Billings and Mrs Mags O’Keefe, objectors, and Mr Adrian Keal, applicant, addressed the Committee on this application.

Objector Representation

Mr Les Billings and Mrs Mags O’Keefe in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Mr Billings commented that he had no overall objection to the application, but wanted to receive assurances that the boundary wall would be replaced.

·         Mr Billings felt that condition 26 inferred that the boundary wall did not have to be replaced until just prior to occupation. There was concern that demolition of the boundary wall would immediately lead to a loss of security at the site and at Mr Billings’ address.

·         Mrs O’Keefe echoed Mr Billings’ comments and acknowledged that she was not opposed to the development, but was concerned that loss of the boundary wall for any length of time would lead to the damage of a number of established garden plants which were of sentimental value.  

Member Questions to the Objectors

Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Agent Representation

Mr Adrian Keal in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Mr Keal welcomed the Officer’s recommendation to approve the application.

·         Mr Keal suggested that the introduction of thirteen flats to the site would improve the surveillance and security of the area.

·         Mr Keal reported that the developer had responded to comments by the Tree Officer by revising the parking area in order to retain a cherry tree, which would enhance the setting of the car park.

·         Mr Keal reported that he had met with Mr Billings and Mrs O’Keefe and that a strategy to comply with condition 26 and to replace the boundary wall as a matter importance had been agreed. Mr Keal reported that the developer had noted and would accommodate the concern not to leave the site open. 

Member Questions to the Agent

Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Ward Member Representation

Councillor Gareth Hurley was not present at the meeting.

Questions to Officers

In response to a request from Councillor Linden, Ms Nutchey read out condition 26 (as detailed below), which had not been included within the original agenda pack as produced on 14 September 2022.

Councillor Pask queried whether the condition could be amended to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.(2)

20.(3)

Application No. and Parish: 22/01080/FUL – Manns Farm, Nightingale Lane, Mortimer, Reading, RG7 3PS pdf icon PDF 419 KB

Proposal:

Conversion of existing farm building and replacement of existing to provide a ‘Wellness Centre’ (Use Class E(e) and E(d)).

Location:

Manns Farm, Nightingale Lane, Mortimer, Reading, RG7 3PS

Applicant:

LJ Strang & Partners

Recommendation:

Refuse planning permission.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillor Geoff Mayes declared an interest in Agenda item 4(3) by virtue of the fact that he knew the applicants Mr and Mrs Strang as their Ward Member. As his interest was personal and not a prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(3)) concerning Planning Application 22/01080/FUL in respect of a proposal to convert an existing farm building and replace an existing farm building to provide a ‘Wellness Centre’ at Manns Farm, Nightingale Lane, Mortimer, Reading.

Ms Gemma Kirk, 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 unsatisfactory in planning terms and officers recommended that the Service Director Development and Regulation be authorised to refuse planning permission for the reasons listed in the main and update reports.

Mr Gareth Dowding, Principal Engineer (Traffic & Road Safety) commented that were permission granted to the application it would result in an increase of 90 cars per day which was felt to be excessive given the size of the road and the rural location of the proposed development.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Councillor Danusia Morsley, Parish Council representative, Mrs Melanie Wheeler, supporter, Mr William Strang, Mrs Camilla Strang and Mr James Fraser, applicants and agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish Council Representation

Councillor Danusia Morsley of Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Councillor Morsley noted that the Parish Council had initially supported the application with one minor reservation in relation to the lack of parking provision. This had since been rectified and the Parish Council now fully supported the proposal.

·         There were no known objections locally to the application and Councillor Morsley suggested that residents preferred to see the type of agricultural diversification proposed rather than industrial use.

·         Councillor Morsley commented that the application adhered to the Parish Council’s neighbourhood plan, and in particular policy C6.

·         Residents were keen to welcome the development and Councillor Morsley anticipated substantial local use, as the nearest alternative yoga class was five miles away.

·         Councillor Morsley commented that Manns Farm was the closest farm to the centre of the village, and consequently the best farm to offer a service which would benefit residents of the village.

·         It was suggested that the application suggested a good use of existing buildings and provided a well thought out development plan.

·         Residents of the village all strongly supported the application and Councillor Morsley urged Officer’s to review their decision and to support the application.  

Member Questions to the Parish Council

Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Supporter Representation

Mrs Melanie Wheeler in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Mrs Wheeler commented that the application proposed use of an existing building, in a tranquil setting in the heart of the village, and that she fully  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.(3)