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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

24.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 419 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 5th October and 26th October 2022.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5th October 2022 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26th October 2022 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment:

Item 23 (1) Application 22/01062/FULD, under the debate section, page 39, paragraph one to read as follows: Councillor Stewart understood that the changes proposed were to accommodate home working however, the amount of additional changes put forward seemed to be excessive to accommodate two people now needing to work from home.

25.

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:

There were no declarations of interest received.

 

26.

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).

26.(1)

Application No. and Parish: 21/01698/FULMAJ - 12 -16 Chapel Street Thatcham West pdf icon PDF 436 KB

Proposal:

Partial demolition of existing dwellings (14 & 16 Chapel Street) and construction of 9No. one bedroom apartments and 2No. two bedroom houses, including parking and stores.

Location:

12 -16 Chapel Street Thatcham West Berkshire RG18 4QL.

Applicant:

Mr T Young

Recommendation:

To delegate to the Service Director of Development & Regulation to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to the conditions listed below.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 21/01698/FULMAJ in respect of the partial demolition of existing dwellings (14 & 16 Chapel Street), construction of 9No. one bedroom apartments and 2No. two bedroom houses, including parking and stores.

2.     Matthew Shepherd (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 for Development and Regulation 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, Councillor Owen Jeffery and Mr Simon Pike, (Thatcham) Town Council representatives, Mr James Dunne, objector, Mr Sean Kelly, agent and Councillor Jeremy Cottam, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

4.     The order in which representations were made to the Committee were changed due to Mr Pike arriving slightly late.

Objector Representation

5.     Mr James Dunne in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

  • His main objection was the matter of overlooking. There was a distance of 21m proposed however, with the elevated areas the proposal would look directly down in Mr Dunne’s garden, kitchen and the rear bedrooms.
  • Looking at the plans it could be seen that the shed at the rear and the trees would be located directly on Mr Dunne’s boundary. As a resident he had the right to light, the right to privacy within his own home and the right to not be overlooked. It was felt that this matter was being railroaded.
  • The amenities of the proposed site would be immediately on M Dunne’s boundary. If a football was kicked against his fence there was little he would be able to do.
  • Mr Dunne was unsure about the flooding aspect of the site. He was of the understanding that the area was a flood zone. It would be quite a large area that would be built on if the application was approved and he could only foresee this causing flooding.
  • Noise was a major concern. The building and the trees gave access to his garden should someone want to break in.
  • General noise disturbance to residents and also to the care home and nursery was a great concern. The proposed development was vast for the small area.
  • At certain times of year the sun and moon would be low and the whole development was too big for the area. The areas detailed above were Mr Dunne’s main concerns.

Member Questions to the Objector

6.     Councillor Geoff Mayes noted that Mr Dunne had said that the fence belonged to him. Councillor Mayes asked Mr Dunne to confirm if the fence was within his ownership and if he maintained it.  Mr Dunne explained that the good side of the fence faced towards his garden but he was unsure if this meant that he owned it or if the new residents of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.(1)