Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 15 May 2025 & 21 May 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2025 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2025 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the inclusion of the following amendment:

·       Councillor Woollaston advised he sent apologies and Councillor Benneyworth substituted for him at the meeting. However, this was not clarified in the minutes.

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 Tony Vickers declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that he was pre-determined on the item and had lobbied Members in support of it. As his interest was personal and prejudicial and a disclosable pecuniary interest, he would move to the public gallery at the start of the item and would be leaving the meeting after speaking as Ward Member and would take no part in the debate or voting on the matter. He advised he would not be returning for item 4(3).

Councillor Nigel Foot declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(2) by virtue of the fact that he was Portfolio Holder for Countryside and had been in communication with the Council’s Senior Tree Officer as well as the Service Director for Environment on this item. 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 all 3 agenda items by virtue of the fact that he was the Council’s representative on the North Wessex Downs National Landscape Council of Partners. 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 item 4(1).

Councillors Adrian Abbs, Denise Gaines, Paul Dick, Antony Amirtharaj, Nigel Foot and Phil Barnett declared that they had been lobbied on Agenda Item 4(2).

(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 24/02810/FULMAJ in respect of the installation of 4860 ground mounted photovoltaic panels, in an equine field, to provide power to the commercial buildings within the grounds and to export to the Local Grid at Hungerford Park.

2.    Ms Cheyanne Kirby 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 report.

3.    The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard if he had any observations relating to the application. He noted the following:

·       It was projected there were going be 20 large vehicles travelling in and out on a daily basis during the course of construction.

·       He noted that there were two haul routes considered. The primary route was via Priory Road to the south with an alternative route via Park Street to the north. These haul routes had been secured by condition and a swept path analysis had been secured by condition for large vehicles using the site.

·       The traffic usage for the site after the construction phase was very low and was not going to cause traffic concerns.

4.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Ms Helen Simpson, Town Council representative, and Mr Graham Welchman-Taylor, agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish/Town Council Representation

5.    Ms Helen Simpson addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed here:

Western Area Planning Committee - Wednesday 23 July 2025 (21:34)  

Member Questions to the Parish/Town Council

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

·       Her understanding was that the North Wessex Downs team had not been asked to comment on this application.

·       A caravan at Hungerford Park had been refused planning permission in 2013.

Agent Representation

7.    Mr Graham Welchman-Taylor addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed here:

Western Area Planning Committee - Wednesday 23 July 2025(27:02)

Member Questions to the Agent

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

·       The system had been designed with the primary focus of providing energy to the estate during the darker months and as a result there was a significant excess during the summer months that could be sold back to the grid.

·       As part of the Construction Management Plan, reasonable delivery times were to be outlined. Discussions had been held with the applicant and the contractors with regard to this.

·       A third of the energy produced on the site was to be used by the site and two thirds were to be exported back to the grid.

·       Decommissioning of a solar panel site was relatively quick and the site could be returned to its natural state within 3-4 months.

·       An assessment had been carried out to determine whether roof mounted installation was viable however this was only  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.(1)

20. As Councillor Tony Vickers had declared a pecuniary interest on item 4(2), in that he was pre-determined to support the application, he excused himself from the Committee and moved to the public gallery where he would offer his support as Ward Member. He made clear he would leave the room before questions to officers were asked to ensure that he did not influence the proceedings of the debate.

21.The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(2)) concerning Planning Application 25/00827/FULMAJ in respect of use of land for wedding ceremonies and receptions for 6 months a year (April - September), including the temporary erection of tipis, catering tent, ceremony tent, toilet block and associated car parking (for a temporary period of 5 years) at Welford Park, Welford.

22. Ms Lauren Hill 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 Development Manager be authorised to refuse planning permission for the reasons listed in the main report.

23. Fiohn Menpes Greenslade highlighted the ecological concerns that had led to the Ecology team objecting to the application. It was noted that direct effects of development could cause loss of ancient woodland, ancient and veteran trees. He noted that he had concerns about the proposed mitigations as they were in very close proximity to human activity which would be unsuitable for a number of affected species due to the likelihood of human disturbance.

24. Jon Thomas raised the concerns of the Tree Team that had caused them to object to the application. He noted that the clearing had been used for permitted development and it was evident a number of trees had been removed since 2016. He felt it was important for the Council to consider whether it was appropriate to enforce a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). Overall it was noted that the proposal was likely to have a significant effect on trees in the woodland.

25. The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard if he any observations relating to the application. He noted the following:

·       Access to the proposal would be obtained from Welford Road. There were two access points proposed, the southern access adjacent to the M4 was proposed as the access with the northern access proposed as the exit. There were no concerns on this.

·       A concern for Highways officers was sustainability as there were limited means to access the site through any means other than motor vehicle.

·       He noted that the proposal was likely to generate a significant increase in traffic generation to the site which was itself unsustainable, this was contrary to the NPPF.

·       He felt that it failed to comply with local and national policy on climate and sustainability.

26. In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Will Puxley, supporter, and Ms Kerry Pfleger, agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Supporter Representation

27. Mr Will Puxley addressed the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.(2)

43. The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(3)) concerning Planning Application 24/01651/FUL in respect of a replacement dwelling at 2 Burfords, East Garston, Hungerford,

44. Mr Bob Dray 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.

45. The Chairman asked Mr Paul Goddard if he had any observations relating to the application. He advised that he had no objections.

46. In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Stephen Reschwamm, Parish/Town Council representative, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish/Town Council Representation

47. Mr Stephen Reschwamm addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/JKsPhAB-lXU (3:10:48)

Member Questions to the Parish/Town Council

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

·       There were a couple of plots in the village that were of a similar size. Work had been done on other bungalows but they were still going to retain their bungalow status.

·       He was unsure whether the Parish Council had objected to the half storey extension application in 2012.

Member Questions to Officers

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

·       Bob Dray advised that Natural England took the view that replacement dwellings could be excluded from nutrient neutrality.

·       Bob Dray advised that the Parish Council did object to the previous application on the site.

Debate

50. Councillor Gaines opened the debate by advising she saw no reason to object given the approval of an extension on the site in 2012.

51. Councillor Paul Dick supported Councillor Gaines comments.

52. Councillor Adrian Abbs sought clarity on whether anything could be done to condition returning the gate to its original condition. Bob Dray advised it was possible to put a condition related to the hard landscaping of the site but officers had not recommended it as they did not feel it was related to this application. 

53. Councillor Amirtharaj reassured objectors that each application was judged on its own merits and no precedent was set when granting approval.

54. Councillor Denise Gaines proposed to accept Officer’s recommendation and grant planning permission subject to the conditions listed in the main report and update report with an additional condition that the details of hard landscaping for the site be submitted before occupying the property. This was seconded by Councillor Dick

55. The Chairman invited Members of the Committee to vote on the proposal by Councillor Gaines, seconded by Councillor Dick, to grant planning permission. At the vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that the Development Manager be authorised to grant planning permission subject to the conditions outlined in the main report and update report with an additional condition that details of hard landscaping for the site be submitted before occupying the property.