Agenda and draft minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 9 April 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 April 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.

Councillor Alan Macro declared that he had been lobbied by both the applicant and the Parish Council and had also queried a particular aspect of the car parking provision on Agenda Item 4(1), 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).

Councillor Alan Macro opened the item by explaining that he was both the Ward Member for the application and also Chairman of the Committee. As such he wanted to avoid the risk that as Chairman he might have to use a casting or deciding vote on this matter. Councillor Macro therefore decided that he would stand down as Chairman for the hearing of this application with the Committee’s Vice-Chairman, Councillor Richard Somner, taking his place.

(Councillor Richard Somner in the Chair)

1.      The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 25/00062/FUL in respect of a proposed change of use from offices to ground floor commercial use (Use Class Sui Generis (Hot-Food Takeaway), plus first and second floor residential use comprising 3x 1-bed studios and 1x 2-bed flat. External alterations, plus access, parking and landscaping situated at Crown House, 1A High Street, Theale, Reading, RG7 5AH.

2.      Lewis Richards (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.      The Chairman asked Gareth Dowding (Principal Engineer) if he had any observations relating to the application. He advised he had none at that time.

4.      In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Councillor Rob Gallop and Councillor Di Hughes, Parish Council representatives, Mr Steve Brown, agent, and Councillor Alan Macro, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish Council Representation

5.      Councillors Gallop and Hughes addressed the Committee. This representation can be viewed on the recording: (10:32)

https://www.youtube.com/live/98Mmn_5PVyw?t=632s

Member Questions to the Parish Council

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

·       Councillor Hughes advised that regular near misses were reported on this section of the road. To date no major incidents had been reported. She advised that reduced visibility caused by people parking outside the nearby Co-op created a number of trips and hazards. She advised that there was a roadworks sign erected by the contractor who had restricted the zebra crossing outside the development which resulted in a number of complaints around visibility.

Applicant/Agent Representation

7.      Mr Brown addressed the Committee. This representation can be viewed on the recording: (17:33)

https://www.youtube.com/live/98Mmn_5PVyw?t=1053s  

Member Questions to the Applicant/Agent

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

·       The number of people employed was to be determined by the needs of the end user but it was anticipated that proposed usage was likely to create three to four full time equivalent jobs as well as jobs during the construction phase.

·       This building had its own dedicated approach to the rear for parking and as such deliveries were able to be facilitated away from the high street. Additionally, as this was likely to be a small takeaway, large-scale deliveries were not anticipated at the site.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.(1)