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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber Council Offices Market Street Newbury. View directions

Contact: Jenny Legge 

Note: This meeting will be streamed live here: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/westernareaplanninglive 

Media

Items
No. Item

26.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 609 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 13 October 2021. Minutes for the meeting held on 3 November 2021 will be considered at the next meeting of the Western Area Planning Committee.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2021 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

27.

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:

Councillors Jeff Beck, Hilary Cole, Andy Moore, Tony Vickers and Howard Woollaston declared an interest in Agenda Items 4(1) and 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.

Councillor Hilary Cole decared an interest in Agenda Item 4(3), but reported that, as her interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

 

28.

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).

28.(1)

Application No. and Parish: 20/01530/OUT, Newbury Football Club, Newbury Football Club, Faraday Road, Newbury pdf icon PDF 364 KB

Proposal:

Outline permission for replacement of clubhouse and new spectator stand at Newbury Football Ground. Matters to be considered: Access and Layout.

Location:

Newbury Football Club, Faraday Road, Newbury, RG14 2AD

Applicant:

Newbury Community Football Group

Recommendation:

To DELEGATE to the Service Director, Development and Regulation to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to the schedule of conditions

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Jeff Beck, Andy Moore 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, which supported the retention of football facilities at Faraday Road. 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.)

(Councillor Howard Woollaston declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that he was the Executive Portfolio Holder for Internal Governance, Leisure and Culture. However, he noted that the London Road Industrial Estate Redevelopment Site was within the remit of the Executive Portfolio Holder for Finance and Economic Development. 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.)

(Councillors Hilary Cole and Howard Woollaston declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that they sat on the London Road Industrial Estate Working Party. 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.)

(Councillor Tony Vickers declared that he had been lobbied on Agenda Item 4(1).)

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(1)) concerning Planning Application 30/01530/OUT in respect of Newbury Football Club, Newbury Football Club, Faraday Road, Newbury.

2.     Mr Masie Masiiwa, 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 stated that the proposal was to replace existing activities, with most events occurring in the off-peak. Therefore, few concerns around traffic had been raised, and it was acceptable in highways terms.

4.     In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Vaughan Miller, Newbury Town Council, Mr Paul Morgan and Mr John Stewart, applicants, addressed the Committee on this application.

 

Parish/Town Council Representation

5.     Mr Vaughan Miller, Newbury Town Council, in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Newbury Town Council supported the application, and it was also supported by the Football Association, Sport England, the Football Foundation, and the Newbury Society. The Town Council’s Strategy sought set the aim that a first class football ground and stadium would enable and facilitate football teams that could play at National League level for men, and a Southern Premier League level for women, as well as youth teams.

·         The aspiration of the Town Council is for the grounds to be within a walking distance of the town centre, providing an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.(1)

28.(2)

Application No. and Parish: 20/01966/COMIND, Newbury Football Club, Newbury Football Club, Faraday Road, Newbury pdf icon PDF 386 KB

Proposal:

Renewal and expansion of the existing football pitch to form a new 3G main pitch and a smaller 3G training / practice pitch.

Location:

Newbury Football Club, Faraday Road, Newbury, RG14 2AD.

Applicant:

Newbury Community Football Group

Recommendation:

To DELEGATE to the Service Director, Development and Regulation to GRANT PLANNING PERMISSION subject to the schedule of conditions

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillor(s) Tony Vickers declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that he was a Member of Newbury Town Council, which supported the retention of football facilities at Faraday Road. 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 Howard Woollaston declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that he was the Executive Portfolio Holder for Internal Governance, Leisure and Culture. However, he noted that the London Road Industrial Estate Redevelopment Site was within the remit of the Executive Portfolio Holder for Finance and Economic Development. 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.)

(Councillors Hilary Cole and Howard Woollaston declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that they sat on the London Road Industrial Estate Working Party. 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.)

(Councillor(s) Tony Vickers declared that he had been lobbied on Agenda Item 4(2).)

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 20/01966/COMIND in respect of Newbury Football Club, Newbury Football Club, Faraday Road, Newbury.

2.     Mr Masie Masiiwa, 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 the different red line areas, with this application containing an area which covers the entire development and does involve loss of car parking spaces. However, Highways are raising no objections to the application, believing there to be a plentiful supply of parking spaces.

4.     In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Vaughan Miller, Newbury Town Council, Mr Paul Morgan and Mr John Stewart, applicants, addressed the Committee on this application.

 

Town Council Representation

1.     Mr Vaughan Miller, Newbury Town Council, in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Mr Miller restated his points from the previous application: its support from key national governing bodies, local organisations and the public, its scalability to Step 1, its pathway from youth to senior football, its sustainability as an asset and the sustainability of our senior clubs, support of active travel and climate objectives, its quick and cost effective build, WBC’s retention of the asset, and its respect of the asset as an Asset of Community Value.

 

Member Questions to the Town Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.(2)

28.(3)

Application No. and Parish: 20/02062/COMIND, St Gabriels Farm, The Ridge, Cold Ash, Thatcham pdf icon PDF 209 KB

Proposal:

A full planning application (submitted in parallel with the submission of a Class Q Prior Approval application) to facilitate limited works to: Establish an access way (including a turning head) which links the driveways of the new dwellings created under the parallel Class Q Prior approval application, to the existing approved driveway and access track at the St Gabriels Farm site. Regularise improved site parking arrangements. Achieve proportionate extensions to some of the limited residential curtilages established for the new dwellings being approved under the Class Q Prior Approval application. Add additional drainpipes to the dwellings being approved under the Class Q Prior Approval application. Site landscaping improvements. Demolition of a barn redundant following approval of the parallel Class Q Prior application. Creation of a paddock in place of the redundant barn being demolished. Filling in of three slurry pits ew0073.

Location:

St Gabriels Farm.

Applicant:

Rivar Ltd.

Recommendation:

To delegate to the Service Director – Development and Regulation to advise the Inspector that had the Council had the opportunity to determine the application it would be REFUSED.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillor Hilary Cole declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(3) by virtue of the fact that she was a Local Ward Member. As her interest was personal and not prejudicial or a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.)

1.     The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(3)) concerning Planning Application 20/02062/COMIND in respect of St Gabriels Farm, The Ridge, Cold Ash, Thatcham.

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 unsatisfactory in planning terms and officers recommended that the Head of Planning and Development be authorised to refuse planning permission, for the reasons listed 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 stated that Highways has no objection to the proposed layout.

4.     In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Bernard Clark, Cold Ash Parish Council, Mr James Iles, agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

 

Parish Council Representation

1.     Mr Bernard Clark, Cold Ash Parish Council, in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Mr Clark agreed with the points raised by Mrs Cutts.

·         Mr Clark underlined the importance of the site, noting that it was highly significant to members of the local community.

·         Mr Clark stated that the local community considered the expansion of residential curtilage as a Trojan horse towards further development, and that it would seriously undermine the NDP.

 

Member Questions to the Parish Council

2.     Members did not have any questions of clarification.

 

Agent Representation

3.     Mr James Iles in addressing the Committee raised the following points:

·         Mr Iles represented the planning agent, who appealed to the Planning Inspector over the refusal of the Class Q Prior Approval application, and the non-determination of the linked full application. Mr Iles noted that the officer recommendation for the initial applications were to approve, but was refused by the decision of the Committee. The decision on the full application was subsequently deferred. The Committee is being asked to instruct the Planning Inspector on the decision that would have been taken were it considered.

·         The application related to limited works to enhance the Class Q Residential Scheme, including extending the residential curtilages, improved landscaping and parking arrangements, and as well as demolishing the barn and slurry pits.

·         The application will improve biodiversity with the creation of a meadow and ponds, and visual improvements to the site by the removal by the redundant barn and paddock.

·         The purpose of the parallel application is a number of tangible benefits to improve the Class Q Residential Scheme, with no technical objections raised by any statutory consultees, and no adverse impacts on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, flood risks, or highways concerns.

·         The officer’s report recommends that the application should be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.(3)