Agenda item

1.    The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 3(2)) concerning Planning Application 24/01288/REG3, Walnut Close, Thatcham in respect of change of use from class C2 [nursing home] to sui generis use comprising accommodation for those in housing need plus retention of family contact centre-part retrospective.

2.    Mr 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 outlined in the main and update reports.

3.    The Chairman asked Mr Gareth Dowding if he had any observations relating to the application. Mr Dowding confirmed the statements from Mr Butler regarding the parking ratio and the number of spaces offered. Considering the intended use of the site, Highways Officers had no concerns with the number of car parking spaces provided in the proposal.

4.    In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Mr Pierre Vagneur-Jones and Mr Nick Caprara, applicant/agent, addressed the Committee on this application.

Applicant/Agent Representation

5.    Mr Vagneur-Jones and Mr Caprara addressed the Committee. This representation can be viewed on the recording: Eastern Area Planning Committee – 4 December 2024 Recording

Member Questions to the Applicant/Agent

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

·       The housing would be for people who were deemed in priority need from West Berkshire.

·       There would be communal areas near the entrance and other communal areas within the site. There would be staff onsite every day during the working day, and a security guard in the evening.

·       Housing would provide the EV charger.

·       No areas in the building would be shared between the two functions, there would be separate entrances, with staff unable to access the other sides of the building.

Member Questions to Officers

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

·       Officers noted that it was West Berkshire policy to encourage the use of charging points wherever possible, and the development control team insisted that the charging points were a condition as part of the application.

·       Officers stated that the application proposed a condition with two electric vehicle charging points, but the Committee were unable to condition such charging points outside of the red line or the blue line.

·       Officers noted that single entry points security systems, and CCTV of the building and the car park were legitimate and appropriate conditions that members could add to the application. Since West Berkshire Council was the applicant and had already given an undertaking to carry out the works, a separate condition was not considered necessary.

Debate

8.    Councillor Richard Somner opened the debate by noting that the application was straightforward and expressed his concern regarding the EV charging point. If the charging point was for public use, there would be no guarantee that the space would be available, and it would generate a cost. Councillor Somner supported the application. 

9.    Councillor Jeremy Cottam supported the inclusion of CCTV conditions on the building and the car park.

10.Councillor Justin Pemberton supported the inclusion of a condition for an appropriate security system confirming a single point of entry and CCTV coverage of the building and car park.

11.Councillor Paul Kander noted that the condition would need two single points of entry for the building.

12.Councillor Somner proposed to accept Officer’s recommendation and grant planning permission subject to the conditions listed in the main report and update report. This was seconded by Councillor Cottam

13.The Chairman invited Members of the Committee to vote on the proposal by Councillor Somner, seconded by Councillor Cottam, 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 in the main report and update report.