Agenda and draft minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 17 September 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 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 Nigel Foot declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 4(1) by virtue of the fact that he was the West Berkshire Heritage Champion. 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 25/01687/FUL in respect of Change of Use of a Class E unit to a Hot Food Takeaway (Sui Generis), installation of extraction and ventilation equipment and external alterations, 14 Charnham Street, Hungerford

2.    Ms Isabel Oettinger 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

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

·       The existing use of the site was Class E and any commercial uses would have a similar parking requirement and traffic generation as the proposed planning application. Mr Goddard believed it would be difficult for Highways to object on traffic grounds.

·       There were two accesses serving the site, and it had been proposed that the wider access to the west would be the entrance, and the narrower eastern access would be the exit. He noted that the narrow eastern access was of most concern, however, because it was an existing use, it could continue.

·       He recommended that the eastern access should remain for staff car parking only, and customers visiting the restaurant and the takeaway should use the western access as an entrance and exit.

·       Mr Goddard had been in contact with Planning Officers who had confirmed that a condition on the access arrangement could be added to the application.

·       He recommended that a condition be added which updated the car parking layout, showing the three allocated spaces for the takeaway and the allocated spaces for the restaurant. These spaces would be clearly marked out and signposted, identifying which car parking was available for each use. He noted that it would be up to the applicant to ensure that this was provided.

·       Considering the Class E status, he considered that the two additional conditions were the best means of offsetting the concerns that had been raised.

4.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr James Cole Parish/Town Council representative, Mr Graham Ness, objector, Ms Chloe Smith, agent, and Councillor Tony Vickers, local ward member, addressed the Committee on this application.

Parish/Town Council Representation

5.    Mr Cole addressed the Committee. The full representation can be viewed here:

Western Area Planning Committee - Recording

Member Questions to the Parish/Town Council

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

·       Mr Cole noted that the applicant had a right to three car parking spaces, however, he felt that the Council could not dictate to the current tenants to give additional spaces to the applicant. 

·       There was no right of way from the car park through the narrow eastern exit.

·       Three parking spaces was not sufficient for the takeaway - it would likely lead to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.(1)