Agenda and draft minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 8 October 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 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 24/02051/FUL in respect of a retrospective planning application for change of use to B8 storage, including the positioning of personal storage containers at the site compound to the rear of James Farm, James Lane, Grazeley Green, RG7 1NB

2.    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.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Jim Thompson, Parish Council representative, Mr Roger Prescott, agent, Councillor Nick Carter, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish/Town Council Representation

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

Member Questions to the Parish/Town Council

5.    Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Agent Representation

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

Member Questions to the Agent

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

·       The additional units would support local businesses and people living and working locally. There were 12 people working in the business who handled bookings and reservations for the site.

·       Once the site was fully established, there would be no movement of containers unless there was rapid deterioration. The containers on the site were constructed from steel and less than five years old with a projected lifespan of 25-30 years.

·       In terms of capacity of the site, no further containers could reasonably be added, and there was no scope for significant expansion.

·       Regarding the condition to monitor and limit the amount of commercial usage of the site to 30%, Now Storage would analyse the activities of their clients to determine the proportion of business users. However, they would need to take clients at their word, regarding their status. Now Storage would work with the Council to deliver this condition in an efficient and effective way.

·       The applicant had provided details of how 7.5 tonne rigid vehicles could access the site. The applicant was unaware of any weight restrictions on the site, however, the applicant had monitored the vehicular movements by visitors, and no HGVs had been used to deposit or collect goods.

Ward Member Representation

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

Member Questions to the Ward Member

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

·       He had previously objected to the September 2024 application for the site, which had been approved.

Member Questions to Officers

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

·       Officers advised that the planning committee should not refuse planning permission due  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.(1)

1.    The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 25/00234/FUL in respect of erection of an agricultural barn and access track on Land South of The Rancher, Manor Farm, Tidmarsh.

2.    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.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Edward Mather, agent, and Councillor Matthew Shakespeare, Ward Member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Agent Representation

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

Member Questions to the Agent

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

·       It was proposed to have a small free-range operation of approximately 6 pigs.

·       The central part of the barn was essentially a void where larger machinery such as tractors would be stored, with a lowered ceiling for fertiliser and stores on either side of the central taller space.

·       There would be no change to the agricultural activity on the site, with hay and other smallholding operations taking place. The new facility would enable the applicant to store the relevant equipment onsite.

·       The agricultural report set out clearly the precise machinery required for the hay operations and calculated how much space would be required in the hay store. The hay store had been thoroughly rationalised based on previous use and the intended future use.

·       Local equestrian owners nearby would purchase the hay - it would not be a retail organisation.

Ward Member Representation

6.    Councillor Shakespeare 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 Ward Member believed that ownership of the property had changed in the previous three to four years.

·       Officers advised that not withstanding the comments made by the ward member, the Committee must be careful to look at the merits of the application, and not the  personal merits of the applicant. If the permission was to be granted, the applicant would be within his rights to sell the property at any point. The enforcement history can be in some circumstances a material planning consideration. However, on this application, the land use merits of the application had been considered by officers and the application was recommended for approval. Members could refuse the application but must not do so on the personal demerits or merits of the applicant, as this would  leave the committee open to criticism. 

Member Questions to Officers

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

·       Regarding the raising of pigs and the need for 24 to 48 hour care required  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.