Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 3 February 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2021 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment:

Item 2, page 15, paragraph 37: replace “Councillor Hooker” with “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.

Councillors Phil Barnett, Hilary Cole, Carolyne Culver and Tony Vickers declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(1), but reported that, as their interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillors Dennis Benneyworth and Andy Moore declared an interest in Agenda Item 4(2), but reported that, as their interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Councillors Phil Barnett and Tony Vickers declared an interest in Agenda Items 4(3) and 4(4), but reported that, as their interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter

(Councillors Phil Barnett and Tony Vickers declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that they were Members of Newbury Town Council and Greenham Parish Council and their respective Planning and Highways Committees, which had discussed this application. As their interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Councillors Phil Barnett, Hilary Cole, Carolyne Culver and Tony Vickers declared that they had been lobbied on Agenda Item 4(1).)

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 21/00114/COND1 in respect of an Approval of Details reserved by Condition 5 (Phasing Programme of Works) of Approved Application 19/00891/OUTMAJ - Section 73: of Condition 6 - Phasing of previously approved application 18/01553/OUTMAJ: Section 73: Variation of conditions to allow for the development to be phased as detailed in submitted schedule of appeal reference APP/W0340/W/14/3002040. (12/00772/XOUTMA) at land off Faraday Road and Kelvin Road, Newbury.

2.     Mrs Sian Cutts, 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 Head of Planning and Development be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

3.     The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard, Team Leader (Highways Development Control), if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Goddard noted that the application was concerned with the phasing of the development. The first phase was to provide the beginnings of the access road from Calvin Way, and the development then proceeded around the site. He noted that officers had no objection to the proposed phasing.

4.     Councillor Tony Vickers asked why there was no speaker from Newbury Town Council. Mr Simon Till, Team Leader (Western Area Planning), confirmed that the Town Council was not a formal consultee, since this was a discharge of conditions application, and only key stakeholders who were involved in the technical matters of discharging the condition were usually consulted on such matters. In this case the key stakeholders would be Housing and Highways officers. He noted that Newbury Town Council had submitted comments, which were included in the update sheet.

Removal of speaking rights

5.     As resolved at the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 April 2020, public speaking rights had been removed for virtual Council meetings. This right had replaced with the ability to make written submissions. This decision was made in accordance with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

6.     The above changes to speaking rights were subsequently amended at the Council meeting on 10 September 2020. It was agreed that parties making written submissions in relation to a planning application would be invited to attend the remote  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.(1)

(Councillor Andy Moore declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that he knew the objector. 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 Dennis Benneyworth declared that he had been lobbied on Agenda Item 4(2).)

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 20/02039/FUL in respect of the construction of stabling and hard standing. Change of use of agricultural to a mixed agricultural/equestrian use. Soft landscaping scheme on land west of Pumping Station, Enborne Row, Wash Water.

2.     Miss Cheyanne Kirby, 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 Head of Planning and Development be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

3.     The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard, Team Leader (Highways Development Control), if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Goddard confirmed that Highways Officers had no objections to the proposal. The access and site layout were considered to be acceptable. The road from the site to the A343 was of a good standard, and from the A343 there was direct access to the A34.

Removal of speaking rights

4.     As resolved at the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 April 2020, public speaking rights had been removed for virtual Council meetings. This right had replaced with the ability to make written submissions. This decision was made in accordance with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

5.     The above changes to speaking rights were subsequently amended at the Council meeting on 10 September 2020. It was agreed that parties making written submissions in relation to a planning application would be invited to attend the remote meeting of the Planning Committee to answer any questions that Members of the Committee might wish to ask in order to seek clarification on any part of their statement.

6.     In accordance with the Extraordinary Council resolution, written submissions relating to this application were received from, Mr Richard Coward, objector, and Mr David Wood, agent. Mr Wood attended the meeting.

7.     Individual written submissions were published online along with the agenda http://decisionmaking.westberks.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=155&MId=5741&Ver=4

Objector’s Submission

8.     The Clerk read out the representation. Mr Coward was unable to attend the meeting to answer questions.

Agent’s Submission

9.     The Clerk read out the representation. Members questioned the attendee as follows:

10.  Councillor Tony Vickers noted that the ponies would not be relying on grazing to be fed, but in the officer’s report it stated that every trip to provide fodder would involve trips of 25 miles each way, twice a day, totalling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.(2)

(Councillors Phil Barnett and Tony Vickers declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(3) by virtue of the fact that they were members of Newbury Town Council and Greenham Parish Council and their respective Planning and Highways Committees, which had discussed this application. As their interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Councillors Phil Barnett and Tony Vickers declared that they had been lobbied on Agenda Item 4(3).)

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(3)) concerning Planning Application 18/03340/COMIND in respect of Permanent use of hostel (Use Class Sui Generis) as a hotel (Use Class C1) at Newbury Racecourse, Racecourse Road.

2.     Mr Simon Till, Team Leader (Western Area Planning), 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, providing a Section 106 legal agreement is completed within three months of the date of this committee (or such longer period that may be authorised by the Head of Development and Planning, in consultation with the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Western Area Planning Committee), the Head of Development and Planning be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

3.     The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard, Team Leader (Highways Development Control), if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Goddard noted that the building had been used as a hotel, rather than a hostel, since the original planning application in 2016 was granted. He was not aware of any highways issues relating to its current use and had no objections to its continued use as a hotel. He noted the original application from 2009 made provision for a hotel with 123 bedrooms within the racecourse site, and subject to the constraint of 123 bedrooms being retained somewhere on the site, officers had no objection to the proposal.

Removal of speaking rights

4.     As resolved at the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 April 2020, public speaking rights had been removed for virtual Council meetings. This right had replaced with the ability to make written submissions. This decision was made in accordance with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

5.     The above changes to speaking rights were subsequently amended at the Council meeting on 10 September 2020. It was agreed that parties making written submissions in relation to a planning application would be invited to attend the remote meeting of the Planning Committee to answer any questions that Members of the Committee might wish to ask in order to seek clarification on any part of their statement.

6.     In accordance with the Extraordinary Council resolution, written submissions relating to this application were received from,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.(3)

(Councillors Phil Barnett and Tony Vickers declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(4) by virtue of the fact that they were members of Newbury Town Council and Greenham Parish Council and their respective Planning and Highways Committees, which had discussed this application. As their interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

(Councillors Phil Barnett and Tony Vickers declared that they had been lobbied on Agenda Item 4(4).)

1.      The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(4)) concerning Planning Application 19/00225/COMIND in respect of the erection of a three storey extension to the front elevation of The Lodge to provide additional rooms The Lodge at Newbury Racecourse, Racecourse Road.

2.     Mr Simon Till, Team Leader (Western Area Planning), 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 Head of Development and Planning be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement, and subject to the conditions outlined in the main and update reports.

3.     The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard, Team Leader (Highways Development Control), if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Goddard highlighted the comments in section 4.1 of the report. He confirmed that officers had raised concerns at the level of parking available within the proposal on race days. However, the applicant had given assurances that they had an effective car park management system in place that should ensure that parking was managed, and that there would be sufficient parking for this proposal on race days. As a result, officers were satisfied with the proposal and had no objection.

Removal of speaking rights

4.     As resolved at the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 29 April 2020, public speaking rights had been removed for virtual Council meetings. This right had replaced with the ability to make written submissions. This decision was made in accordance with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.

5.     The above changes to speaking rights were subsequently amended at the Council meeting on 10 September 2020. It was agreed that parties making written submissions in relation to a planning application would be invited to attend the remote meeting of the Planning Committee to answer any questions that Members of the Committee might wish to ask in order to seek clarification on any part of their statement.

6.     In accordance with the Extraordinary Council resolution, written submissions relating to this application were received from Mr Raymond Beard, objector. Mr Beard attended the meeting.

7.     Individual written submissions were published online along with the agenda

http://decisionmaking.westberks.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=155&MId=5741&Ver=4

Objector’s Submission

8.     The Clerk read out the representation. Members did not have any questions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.(4)