Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2023 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the inclusion of the following amendments:

·         Councillor Jane Langford was in attendance.

·         Councillor Vicky Poole’s declaration of interest should state Nigel Toon not Nigel Hopes.

·         Paragraph 12, bullet point 5 should note 11:00pm, not 11:45pm.

·         In regard to item 35(2), Councillor Poole highlighted, on Councillor Paul Kander’s behalf, that fire regulations had not been included in the conditions. However, it was explained that this was a Building Regulations issue, and the conditions could not be changed as they had been issued.

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.

Councillor Richard Somner declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(3), as he was known to Mr Wale (supporter of the application), by virtue of the fact that he had a very minor interest in Mr Wale’s business but had held no discussions on the application. He therefore 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.

Councillor Ross Mackinnon declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(1), as he had received an extensive briefing as the Council was the landowner 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.

Councillor Mackinnon declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(3), as he had had met with the applicant to discuss the planning process in his capacity as Ward Member but he had formed no view on the application. He therefore 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.

Councillor Vicky Poole declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(1), as she had hosted a Councillor surgery on the matter to help understand the views of local residents in her Ward. However, she would be considering the item with an open mind. Councillor Poole reported that, as her interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

(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).

Item starts at 7 minutes into the recording.

1.     Mr Simon Till introduced the item by stating that West Berkshire Council (the Council) and its officers fully recognised the tragic events surrounding the death of PC Harper in 2019. Mr Till expressed, on behalf of the Council, the deepest sympathy with all those effected by this tragedy.

2.     He explained that while objections had been raised on the application as a result of this tragedy, the purpose of the item was to only consider the planning merits of the application.

3.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 23/01552/REG3 in respect of the proposal to replace the existing permanent 18 pitch Gypsy caravan site with a new 17 permanent pitch Gypsy caravan site. Each pitch was to consist of a hard standing area large enough for two twin axle caravans, car parking for two vehicles and a 30 sq. m amenity building consisting of a kitchen/dayroom, bathroom, separate WC, and utility area. In addition to the amenity buildings a recycle storage facility, children’s play area and sewerage treatment plant were to be located within the site.

4.     Mr Michael Butler 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 Control Manager be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

5.     Ms Cheryl Willett explained that the Council had to maintain a five-year supply of caravan pitches for travellers and that this site would contribute to the legally required number of pitches. If the Council did not meet the required plots, they could be forced to accept a planning application for a less favourable site.

6.     In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Graham Bridgman, Parish Council representative, Ms Margaret Baxter, adjacent Parish Council representative, Ms Deborah Adlam, objector, Mr Bill Bagnall, applicant, and Councillor Nick Carter, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish Council Representation

7.     Mr Graham Bridgman in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         The Council had not followed policy in properly consulting the local community, and it was stressed that as the site was remote, so too was the site notice.

·         Mr Bridgman questioned how many individuals the site could house, as although there were 17 pitches, these would home multiple residents.

·         That the application had not had a full sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) consultation and that the site was an area that struggled with flooding.

·         That the site could benefit from CCTV.

Member Questions to the Parish Council

8.     Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Adjacent Parish Council Representation

9.     Ms Margaret Baxter in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         That it was a controversial application.

·         Due process had not been followed, as there had been no consultation.

·         There was confusion over how many residents could be on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.(1)

Item starts at 1 hour and 56 minutes into the recording.

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 23/00879/FUL in respect of the relocation of the approved commercial kitchen extractor vent at 6A Victoria Road, Mortimer Common.

2.     Lewis Richards 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 Control 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 Graham Bridgman, Parish Council representative, and Councillor Nick Carter, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish Council Representation

4.     Mr Graham Bridgman in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         The Parish Council had no objection to the relocation of the extractor fan and that the proposal should improve the issues with the smell and noise.

Member Questions to the Parish

5.     Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Ward Member Representation

6.     Councillor Nick Carter in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         That the issue of the smell was raised with the Parish Council and was dismissed, because it was not considered a planning matter and it was stated that the odour had allegedly dissipated after two days, which was untrue.

·         Questions were raised over why the original filter did not remove the odour and whether the extractor fan was fit for purpose.

Member Questions to the Ward Member

7.     Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Member Questions to Officers

8.     The Committee was informed that if the issues with smell persisted, Environmental Health would get involved.

Debate

9.     Councillor Somner opened the debate by expressing that this application aimed to fix the pre-existing issues.

10.  Councillor Somner proposed to accept Officer’s recommendation and grant planning permission subject to the conditions listed in the main report and update report. This was seconded by Councillor Cottam.

11.  The Chairman invited Members of the Committee to vote on the proposal by Councillor Somner, seconded by Councillor Cottam to grant planning permission. At the vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that the Development Control Manager be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the following conditions:

Conditions

1.   The development hereby permitted shall begin before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).

2.   The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plans and documents listed below:

Site Location Plan received on 26/04/2023

220930-AE100 – Approved Site Block Plan received on 26/04/2023

220930-AP101 – Proposed Floor Plan received on 26/04/2023

220930-AP201 – Amended Proposed Elevation received on 20/09/2023

220930-AP202 – Amended Proposed Elevation received on 20/09/2023

220930-AP903 – Kitchen Extractor Detail  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

Item starts at 1 hour and 56 minutes into the recording.

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 23/00879/FUL in respect of the relocation of the approved commercial kitchen extractor vent at 6A Victoria Road, Mortimer Common.

2.     Lewis Richards 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 Control 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 Graham Bridgman, Parish Council representative, and Councillor Nick Carter, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish Council Representation

4.     Mr Graham Bridgman in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         The Parish Council had no objection to the relocation of the extractor fan and that the proposal should improve the issues with the smell and noise.

Member Questions to the Parish

5.     Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Ward Member Representation

6.     Councillor Nick Carter in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         That the issue of the smell was raised with the Parish Council and was dismissed, because it was not considered a planning matter and it was stated that the odour had allegedly dissipated after two days, which was untrue.

·         Questions were raised over why the original filter did not remove the odour and whether the extractor fan was fit for purpose.

Member Questions to the Ward Member

7.     Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Member Questions to Officers

8.     The Committee was informed that if the issues with smell persisted, Environmental Health would get involved.

Debate

9.     Councillor Somner opened the debate by expressing that this application aimed to fix the pre-existing issues.

10.  Councillor Somner proposed to accept Officer’s recommendation and grant planning permission subject to the conditions listed in the main report and update report. This was seconded by Councillor Cottam.

11.  The Chairman invited Members of the Committee to vote on the proposal by Councillor Somner, seconded by Councillor Cottam to grant planning permission. At the vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that the Development Control Manager be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the following conditions:

Conditions

1.   The development hereby permitted shall begin before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).

2.   The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plans and documents listed below:

Site Location Plan received on 26/04/2023

220930-AE100 – Approved Site Block Plan received on 26/04/2023

220930-AP101 – Proposed Floor Plan received on 26/04/2023

220930-AP201 – Amended Proposed Elevation received on 20/09/2023

220930-AP202 – Amended Proposed Elevation received on 20/09/2023

220930-AP903 – Kitchen Extractor Detail  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.