Agenda and draft minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 23 July 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 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 Antony Amirtharaj declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that he was the Ward Member for the application, and that he had been lobbied for Agenda Item 4(1). As his interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, he determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillor Tony Vickers declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that he was a member of Newbury Town Council. As his interest was personal and not prejudicial or 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).

1.      The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 25/00931/FUL in respect of replacement of existing plant within the service yard and roof locations, Waitrose, Oxford Road, Newbury, RG14 1NB.

2.      Ms Harriet Allen introduced the report to Members, which took account of all 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, Ms Jane Kemp, objector, Mr Tim Williams, agent, and Councillor Antony Amirtharaj, Ward Member addressed the Committee on this application.

Objector Representation

4.      Ms Kemp addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed here:

Western Area Planning Committee - Wednesday 17 September 2025

Member Questions to the Objector

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

·       The objector was not reassured by the site meeting, and while she accepted that the noise created by the cages was an operational matter and could not be taken into account by the Committee, she believed that additional conditions should be added to allay some of her concerns about noise.

Agent Representation

6.      Mr Williams addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed here:

Western Area Planning Committee - Wednesday 17 September 2025

Member Questions to the Agent

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

·       No acoustic barriers were included in the application because the background noise levels would not increase, therefore there was no requirement for it.

·       The background sound levels were recorded in accordance with the relevant standards, when the weather conditions were appropriate.

·       The agent noted that the previous planning permission required a delivery management plan with clauses that must be abided by. He believed that the store had taken the delivery management plan into account.

·       The application would lead to increased energy efficiency due to the removal of the current system and would enhance the customer experience as part of the refurbishment of the store and replace the current plant system.

·       The Planning Officer had recommended a planning condition for controlling the plant, which restricted the running of the heat pump to one hour either side of the store opening hours. It would not run continuously throughout the night. This was a benefit over the current system, which currently ran 24 hours a day.

·       There would be heating as and when required for the store, but the main cooling system would not run continuously.

·        Regarding power throughout the night for deliveries, the agent felt that it was an operational matter, and Waitrose would accept that as a planning condition.

·       Planning conditions were enforceable and would be brought up by the Environmental Health Officer and could be actioned if Waitrose were in contravention of them.

·       There was no requirement for additional conditions related to acoustic fencing around the plant, as the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.(1)