Agenda and draft minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 5 February 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2025 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.

There were no declarations of interest received.

(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 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 23/00736/OUTMAJ Midgham in respect of outline application for the erection of 16 dwellings, including 6 affordable units, with access from Bath Road. Matters to be considered: access land at junction with Bath Road, New Road Hill, Midgham, Reading.

2.      Mr Matthew Shepherd 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 Douglas Bond, agent, and Councillor Chris Read, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Applicant/Agent Representation

4.      Mr Bond addressed the Committee. This representation can be viewed on the recording: Eastern Area Planning Committee - Recording

Member Questions to the Applicant/Agent

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

·      The outline application aimed to establish the principle of development and access, allowing for detailed design to be considered later through reserve matters. The approach was conventional, and would help to reduce costs at the early stages of the design process.

·      The indicative plan highlighted how the 16 dwellings could be accommodated, taking into account site characteristics and constraints.

·      The new Local Plan would amend the settlement boundary to include the site within it.

·      The client intended to secure the outline permission and then dispose of the site, potentially to a local housebuilder who would submit reserve matters.

Ward Member Representation

6.      Councillor Read addressed the Committee. This representation can be viewed on the recording: Eastern Area Planning Committee - Recording

Member Questions to the Ward Member

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

·       The Local Plan Review had not been confirmed at Council.

Member Questions to Officers

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

·       Officers stated that there was a refuge island, which would remain as an uncontrolled crossing point.

·       Recent speed survey data from the A4 indicated an average speed of 30.8 mph and a average maximum speed of 36.1 mph, which showed a reduction from the 2019 data, which recorded an average speed of 41 mph.

·       Officers stated that it was the Council’s intention to adopt the road, and through the detailed design, it would be to adoptable standards.

·       Officers confirmed that there was a typographical error in the heads of terms for the S106 Agreement and that the affordable homes would consist of five two-bed homes and one three-bed home.

·       Officers clarified that the Committee was considering the principle of development and access, with detailed design to be addressed later through reserved matters. The outline application allowed for testing the site’s capacity to accommodate the proposed number of houses while considering fundamental issues such as flooding and contaminated land.

·       It was explained that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.(1)

1.      The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 24/00247/MINMAJ in respect of proposed development of an advanced conversion and recovery facility comprising of two main buildings including processing hall and office, access route, vehicle parking, cycle spaces, storage and landscaping. Fenton House, Deans Copse Road, Theale RG7 4GZ.

2.      Ms Rachael Lancaster 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 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 Mike Roberts, Mr Mark Collins, Mr Kevin Parr applicant/agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Applicant/Agent Representation

4.      Mr Roberts, Mr Collins, and Mr Parr addressed the Committee. This representation can be viewed on the recording: Eastern Area Planning Committee - Recording

Member Questions to the Applicant/Agent

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

·      The carbon process operated at low pressure and was safe. The core technology operated at 50-60 millibar and had been developed for 26 years.

·      The application was for a small-scale plant, with multiple modules, each with individual control and gas management.

·      The hydrogen part of the process operated at 14 bar, which was a low pressure for the hydrogen industry. The hydrogen industry could store hydrogen at up to 200-300 bar.

·      Hydrogen produced on the site would be converted Into Bionaptha, minimising the volume of hydrogen stored on the site. The storage on site would act as a buffer to regulate the flow to the next stage of the process.

·      Hydrogen was covered by the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) regulations. The site would be covered by the necessary safety regulations.

·      The individual modules would run at full scale at one tonne per hour, and were independent of each other, and would operate 24 hours per day.

·      The plant would require 40 seconds to cease gas production, and was controllable.

·      In terms of contamination, the only identified contamination on the site was a small amount of asbestos. This would be capped on site. Further site investigations prior to commencement were required, and any further contamination would be dealt with accordingly.

·      The Environment Agency required that pathways into the aquifer under the site were prevented. This required the use of certain groundworks and piling designs.

·      A continuous flight auger would be used to ensure a seal. The applicants would discuss and agree this with the Environment Agency as part of the discharge of the condition.

Ward Member Representation

6.     There were no representations made by the Ward Member.

7.    It was noted that the Ward Member, Councillor Nick Carter had called in the application due to concerns regarding impact and access, due to the need for HGVs to access the site through Burghfield Road and Deans Cop Road.

Member Questions to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.(2)