Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 2 November 2016.

It was noted that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2016 had been reissued following publication of the agenda as a result of the identification of some typographical errors. The revised minutes 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 Hilary Cole declared an interest in all Agenda Items, but reported that, although her interest was a personal registrable interest, and not a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate but not vote on the matter.

Councillor Hewer declared a personal interest in all Agenda Items but reported that, as his interest was a personal interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillors Pick, Beck, Edwards declared an interest in Agenda Item 6 and 7, but reported that, as their interest was a personal or a other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillor Fredrickson declared that he might have predetermined Agenda Items 6 and 7 and therefore he determined to address the Committee in his capacity as Ward Member but would not take part in the debate or vote on this matter. He also gave his apologies for Item 6 and only joined the Committee for its public session.

Councillors Pick, Beck and von Celsing declared that they had been lobbied regarding Agenda Items 6 and 7.

Councillors Pick, Hilary Cole, Beck, James Cole and Edwards declared that they had been lobbied regarding Agenda Item 8.

RESOLVED that members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the under-mentioned item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as contained in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) Order 2006. Rule 8.10.4 of the Constitution also refers.

The Committee received a confidential briefing in respect of Application 16/00547/FULEXT Land at Market Street, Newbury.

(Councillors Jeff Beck, Adrian Edwards and Anthony Pick declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 by virtue of the fact that they were Members of Newbury Town Council Highways Committee. As their interest was personal or a other registrable, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter

Councillor Paul Hewer declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 by virtue of the fact that he worked for a local housing provider. As his interest was personal or a other registrable but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter

Councillor James Frederickson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 7 by virtue of the fact that he had spoken publically in support of the application. As he could be deemed to have predetermined the application, he would be joining the public gallery during the course of consideration of the matter and would take no part in the debate or voting on the matter but would address the Committee as the Ward Member.

Councillor Hilary Cole declared a personal or a other registrable interest in Agenda Item 7 by virtue of the fact that she was Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport and Chair of the District Planning Committee.  As her interest was personal or a other registrable and not a disclosable pecuniary interest, she would be taking part in consideration of the matter and the debate but would not be voting on the matter.

Councillors Jeff Beck and Virginia Von Celsing declared that they had been lobbied on the matter.)

1.            The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 7) concerning Planning Application 16/00547/FULEXT in respect of Market Street, Newbury.

2.            In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mrs Elizabeth O’Keefe, Parish Council representative, Mr Tony Vickers, objector, Mr David Walters, applicant, Mr Dominic Chapman, Agent and Councillor James Frederickson, Ward Member addressed the Committee on this application.

3.            Debra Inston introduced the report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material considerations.  Permission was sought to clear the site and erect 232 dwellings with associated car parking, residents’ hub and management office, 816m² of flexible commercial floor space and a multi-storey car park.

4.            The Update Report provided clarification regarding the residents’ hub, parking numbers and waste collection, which had resulted in the objection being withdrawn by the Waste Officer.  The Update Report also included amendments to the wording in the conditions and that the development should meet the BREEAM Very Good standard.

5.            The layout of the development was designed to integrate with the town centre with the provision of a north south route, which would be both pedestrian and cycle friendly and provide access to the train station.

6.            All public spaces would be overlooked by buildings, which would be three to five storey high near Market Street and two and a half  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

(Councillor Hilary Cole declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8 by virtue of the fact that she was the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing and also the Chairman of the District Planning Committee. As her interest was personal and not a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate but not vote on the matter.)

(Councillor Paul Hewer declared a personal interest in Agenda item 8 by virtue of the fact that he was employed by a social housing provider. As his interest was personal and not a prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest he determined to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

(Councillors Hilary Cole, James Cole and Edwards declared that they had been lobbied on this application.)

1.               The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 8) concerning Planning Application 16/01489/OUTMAJ in respect of the erection of 75 dwellings with associated access and landscaping with open space improvements at Coley Farm, Stoney Lane, Cold Ash.

2.               In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Bernard Clark, Parish Council representative, Victoria Koroleva and Keith Benjamin, objectors, and Mark Norgate, Rebecca Humble, Ben Thomas and Glenn Charles, applicant/agents, addressed the Committee on this application.

3.               Michael Butler introduced the report and update report to Members, which took account of all the relevant policy considerations and other material considerations. In conclusion the report detailed that the proposal was acceptable and a conditional approval was justifiable. Officers strongly recommended the Committee grant planning permission

4.               Councillor Hilary Cole queried which settlement boundary the application related to. Michael Butler responded that the application was outside of Newbury’s settlement boundary. Councillor Hilary Cole stated that the settlement boundary was redefined by the Housing Sites Allocation Development Plan Document (HSA DPD) and asked whether the site would be inside or outside. Michael Butler advised that the definition of the settlement boundary was a separate process to the DPD.

5.               Councillor Paul Bryant noted that the consultation response from the Fire Service had been abbreviated in the committee report. The original letter raised a concern that there were no public mains. Councillor Bryant asked whether this was a planning matter or the responsibility of Thames Water to rectify. Michael Butler explained that an application was unlikely to receive permission if it could not be safely implemented and that was why authorities such as the Fire Service and Thames Water were consulted. Thanes Water had responded that the water infrastructure capacity was adequate. Councillor Bryant queried the disparity between the two responses; Michael Butler offered reassurance that any planning permission could not be implemented until there was suitable fresh and waste water infrastructure.

6.               Councillor Jeff Beck raised a query regarding a reference to an LVIA on page 277 of the agenda. Michael Butler explained that a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) had been completed for the amended plans and the consultant’s response was outlined in the update report.

7.               Councillor Beck sought clarification on where collected water  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.