Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 6 November 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2024 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 Vicky Poole declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that the she was the Executive Portfolio Holder: Transformation and Corporate Programme, but 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 abstain from voting on the matter.

Councillor Richard Somner declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that he knew Councillor Joanne Stewart who was speaking as ward member, 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 Clive Taylor declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that he was the Chairman of Tilehurst Parish Council, 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.

(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).

1.    The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 3(1)) concerning Planning Application 24-01672-HOUSE, Crevan, Beals Lane, Tilehurst in respect of a proposed Garage to the front garden.

2.    Mr Simon Till 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 Development Manager be authorised to refuse planning permission for the reasons listed in the main and update reports.

3.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Mike Ford, objector, Ms Nicola Taplin, agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Objector Representation

4.    Mr Mike Ford addressed the Committee. This representation can be viewed on the recording: Eastern Area Planning Committee – 4 December 2024 Recording

Member Questions to the Objector

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

·       The garage at the rear of the property was accessed via the gate opposite the school and was the only garage accessible via Little Heath Lane.

·       The garage at the rear of the property was used for extra storage. It had stored vehicles in the past.

Applicant/Agent Representation

6.    Ms Nicola Taplin addressed the Committee. This representation can be viewed on the recording: Eastern Area Planning Committee – 4 December 2024 Recording

Member Questions to the Applicant/Agent

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

·       The lane to the rear of the property was shielded from view from the four properties with limited surveillance and could be entered into undetected by residents.

·       The front of the site was more secure.

·       The were a number of security methods that could be employed to secure the rear of the site, which would involve installing security lights, which could be harmful to the rural character and appearance of the area.

·       Further along Beals Lane there were dwellings in front of the building line, with a forward projecting garage. The building line was scattered and had a rural layout, and did not have an urban building line.

·       The applicant would be prepared to accept a change to the proposed roof if members agreed that it would lessen the impact on the character of the lane.

Ward Member Representation

8.    Councillor Joanne Stewart addressed the Committee. This representation can be viewed on the recording: Eastern Area Planning Committee – 4 December 2024 Recording

Member Questions to the Ward Member

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

·       The volume of traffic would be the same whether it was in front or behind the building.

·       If the volume of traffic was directed to the rear of the property it would increase noise and disturbance, impacting residents using their back gardens.

Member Questions to Officers

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

·       Officers noted the location of the trees, which appeared to be mature hedges and trees, but were unable to comment on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.(1)

1.    The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 3(2)) concerning Planning Application 24/01288/REG3, Walnut Close, Thatcham in respect of change of use from class C2 [nursing home] to sui generis use comprising accommodation for those in housing need plus retention of family contact centre-part retrospective.

2.    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 Manager be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

3.    The Chairman asked Mr Gareth Dowding if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Dowding confirmed the statements from Mr Butler regarding the parking ratio and the number of spaces offered. Considering the intended use of the site, Highways Officers had no concerns with the number of car parking spaces provided in the proposal.

4.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Pierre Vagneur-Jones and Mr Nick Caprara, applicant/agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Applicant/Agent Representation

5.    Mr Vagneur-Jones and Mr Caprara addressed the Committee. This representation can be viewed on the recording: Eastern Area Planning Committee – 4 December 2024 Recording

Member Questions to the Applicant/Agent

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

·       The housing would be for people who were deemed in priority need from West Berkshire.

·       There would be communal areas near the entrance and other communal areas within the site. There would be staff onsite every day during the working day, and a security guard in the evening.

·       Housing would provide the EV charger.

·       No areas in the building would be shared between the two functions, there would be separate entrances, with staff unable to access the other sides of the building.

Member Questions to Officers

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

·       Officers noted that it was West Berkshire policy to encourage the use of charging points wherever possible, and the development control team insisted that the charging points were a condition as part of the application.

·       Officers stated that the application proposed a condition with two electric vehicle charging points, but the Committee were unable to condition such charging points outside of the red line or the blue line.

·       Officers noted that single entry points security systems, and CCTV of the building and the car park were legitimate and appropriate conditions that members could add to the application. Since West Berkshire Council was the applicant and had already given an undertaking to carry out the works, a separate condition was not considered necessary.

Debate

8.    Councillor Richard Somner opened the debate by noting that the application was straightforward and expressed his concern regarding the EV charging point. If the charging point was for public use, there would be no guarantee that the space would be available, and it would generate a cost. Councillor Somner supported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.