Agenda item

35. The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4(3)) concerning Planning Application 24/00767/HOUSE - The Old Rickyard, Inkpen – in respect of the formation of a swimming pool.

36.Michael Butler 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 listed in the report. Simon Till clarified that the recommendation was to delegate officers to approve, as per officers’ recommendation, as varied by the update sheet and subject to the outcome of discussions to secure an acceptable scheme of drainage with any necessary conditions. Or to refuse the application if a scheme of drainage had not been agreed within 3 months or such other timescale as agreed in writing by the Development Manager in consultation with the Chairman of the committee.

37. In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mark Pettitt, agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Agent Representation

38.   Mr Pettitt addressed the Committee – his representation can be viewed here:

Special Western Area Planning Committee - Tuesday 16h July 2024 (1:52:15)

Member Questions to the Agent

39. Members asked questions of clarification and were give the following responses:

·       A fresh application would be submitted at a later stage for a pool building to be built to store the equipment.

·       A scheme relating to external lighting would, in principle, be acceptable to the applicant.

·       An error was made in submitting the application as floor plans and elevations for the pool building were not submitted as part of the original application.

Ward Member Representation

40.   Councillor Vickers addressed the Committee – his representation can be viewed here:

Special Western Area Planning Committee - Tuesday 16h July 2024 (2:08:36)

Member Questions to the Ward Member

41. Members did not have any questions of clarification.

Member Questions to Officers

42.Members asked questions of clarification and were give the following responses:

·       Simon Till advised that the period to submit additional information had expired by the time the lack of documentation relating to the pool building had become apparent to Officers. Because of this, the applicant was advised to withdraw this portion of the application and reapply for permission to construct the pool building in a separate application at a later date.

·       Simon Till advised that conditioning an application that would be approved today on the outcome of a future application would, in his view, be considered unreasonable.

·       Michael Butler advised that an additional condition relating to external lighting would be totally legitimate due to the sensitivity of the area.

Debate

43. Councillor Tony Vickers opened the debate by expressing his desire to have an additional condition in relation to restricted use of external lighting.

44. Councillor Paul Dick further supported the motion.

45. Councillor Carolyne Culver advised there were three other pools in the area and therefore the precedent had been set previously allowing for such building works.

46. Councillor Howard Woollaston 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 requiring the submission and approval of a scheme for all external lighting for the pool area prior to the pool being taken into use with no other external lighting to be erected except in accordance with the scheme. This was seconded by Councillor Antony Amirtharaj.

47. The Chairman invited Members of the Committee to vote on the proposal by Councillor Woollaston, seconded by Councillor Amirtharaj to grant planning permission. At the vote the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that The Development Manager grant planning permission subject to the conditions listed in the main report and update report with an additional condition requiring the submission and approval of a scheme for all external lighting for the pool area prior to the pool being taken into use with no other external lighting to be erected except in accordance with the scheme.