Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 July 2023.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 12 July 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive any declaration of interest.

Michael Firmager declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 20, application number 223458, on the basis that he had formed a view on the application. Michael added that he would move to the public seating area to allow him to address the Committee as a registered speaker in the capacity of a Ward Member. Michael stated that he would leave the room after addressing the Committee, and would take no part in the debate or vote.

Bill Soane declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 20, application number 223458, on the grounds that he had close friendships with members of the golf club, including business associates. Bill stated that he would leave the room for the duration of this item and would take no part in the debate or vote.

With regards to agenda item 21, application number 231453, Alistair Neal noted that he was a Member of Earley Town Council’s Planning Committee. Whilst the Committee had considered this application, Alistair stated that he was not present at this meeting and would view this application with an open mind by listening to all representations before forming a view.

With regards to agenda item 21, application number 231453, Andrew Mickleburgh noted that he was the Chair of the Council’s Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee and was also a Member of the Corporate Parenting Board. Andrew added that he had not formed any view on this application, and would consider this application with an open mind by listening to all representations before forming a view.

To consider any recommendations to defer applications from the schedule and to note any applications that may have been withdrawn.

No applications were recommended for deferral, or withdrawn.

RECOMMENDATION: Conditional approval subject to legal agreement

Bill Sonae declared a prejudicial interest in this item and left the room for its duration.

Michael Firmager declared a prejudicial interest in this item and moved to the public seating area to facilitate him addressing the Committee as a registered speaker in his capacity as Ward Member.

Proposal: Outline planning permission for the proposed erection of up to 50 no. dwellings with public open space and revised access off Duffield Road, plus associated modifications to Sonning Golf Club including reconfiguration of golf club car parking areas and relocation of the 18th green, addition of a practice putting green, new driving nets, new short game chipping area and conversion of the west wing of the existing clubhouse to accommodate a new golf simulator practice facility, including removal of external staircase and changes to fenestration. (All matters reserved except for access).

Applicant: Sonning Golf Club Ltd, Duffield Road, Sonning RG4 6GJ

The Committee considered a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 15 to 70.

The Committee were advised that updates contained within the Supplementary Planning Agenda included:

·         Further clarification with regards to location sustainability;

·         Further clarification with regards to there being no loss of public amenity space and that the development would not compromise the future viability and useability of the golf course;

·         Reemphasis that the application site sat within flood zone 1 where the risk of flooding was low;

·         Additional condition 26 with regards to submission of a detailed drainage strategy;

·         Confirmation that the development would provide 40% affordable housing on site;

·         Clarification that the application site is larger than that proposed within the local Plan Update, and that the 24 dwellings proposed within the Local Plan Update were in addition to the 13 units that had planning permission to the south-west.

Mark Croucher, case officer, advised the Committee of an additional recommended condition with regards to submission of details in relation to mitigation measures to prevent golf ball strikes on the proposed properties.

David Cornish noted that the Committee had undertaken a site visit, with all Members present with the exception of Bill Soane who had given apologies due to his prejudicial interest, whilst Michael Firmager attended the visit in his capacity as a Ward Member.

Trefor Fisher, Sonning Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application. Trefor thanked the previous case officer, Senjuti Manna, for meeting with the Parish Council on several occasions to discuss the details of this application. Trefor noted the quality and quantity of the objections submitted, and was of the opinion that the objections were of the highest quality. Trefor added that the Right Honourable Theresa May MP had submitted a detailed objection both as a resident and a Member of Parliament. Trefor stated that the application site shared the boundary with a site which had extant permission for 57 flats. Combined, sites in the vicinity with extant permission and this proposal would result in a 16 percent increase to the number of dwellings within Sonning. Trefor stated that the application  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

RECOMMENDATION: Conditional approval

Michael Firmager and Bill Soane re-entered the room.

Proposal: Full application for change of use from a residential dwelling house to children’s home.

Applicant: Wokingham Borough Council

The Committee considered a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 71 to 86.

The Committee were advised that updates contained within the Supplementary Planning Agenda included:

·         Removal of condition 4;

·         Minor amendment of the wording of conditions 1 to 3.

Nathan Whitley, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the application. Nathan stated that the proposal would facilitate one member of staff and a maximum of two children to live in the property. The home would only accommodate one child, who was already in situ, unless there was an emergency which required a second child to be accommodated for a short period of time. Nathan added that at present, some children in the Borough were placed many miles away from their family, which had huge impacts on their wellbeing whilst also having a significant financial cost associated. Children often felt isolation and abandonment when placed far away from their families, and provision of this facility would allow a child, or a maximum of two, to be placed and cared for locally. Nathan added that it was difficult to support the health and wellbeing needs of children who were placed out of Borough. Nathan stated that this application was supported by CP2, whilst the property would be supported by an assistant manager solely for this property and a general manager who would oversee three total properties. Nathan confirmed that the home would be staffed twenty-four hours per day, whilst OFSTED would confirm the occupancy levels. Nathan concluded by confirming that the property was already accommodating the child in situ, and the application would not change current staffing levels.

Stephen Newton, Ward Member, spoke in objection to the application. Stephen stated that he was a foster carer, and therefore had first hand experience in supporting vulnerable children. Stephen added that whilst he supported the premise of this application there were clear differences between the planning application and the assurances he had been given by Children’s Services Officers. Whilst these conversations had given assurances of one child being accommodated at the property, the documentation within the agenda pack allowed for up to two children and the Supplementary Planning Agenda removed any reference to occupancy numbers. Stephen stated that nearly all looked after children were impacted by trauma, and may at times be noisy. With regards to parking, Stephen raised concern that the on-street parking situation was already very busy, and the accommodation of two children could worsen this via additional visitors. In the event of approval of this application, Stephen asked that should two children be accommodated on a long-term basis then conditions be applied to provide three car parking spaces and installation of soundproofing or sufficient community engagement to mitigate noise concerns.

Bill Soane queried reference to vulnerable adults in condition 4, and commented that it may be possible for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

RECOMMENDATION: Conditional approval subject to legal agreement

Proposal: Full application for the erection of a 2 storey Estate management buildings including gardeners accommodation and underground tunnel linking the estate buildings and ancillary to the main house on Strowdes estate, following demolition of 3No dwellings, 1No pool house, garages and outhouses, stables and hay barn.

Applicant: C/O Avison, Young, Bristol

The Committee considered a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 87 to 124.

The Committee were advised that there were no updates contained within the Supplementary Planning Agenda.

Andrew Mickleburgh commented that this was a large and important site within the countryside and greenbelt. Andrew Mickleburgh commented that he would have expected more detail for a full application such as an integrated estate management plan. However, Andrew accepted that this application had very special circumstances that outweighed any material harm that may be caused by the development.

Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey proposed that the application be approved in line with the officer recommendation. This was seconded by Andrew Mickleburgh.

RESOLVED That application number 213610 be approved, subject to conditions as set out in agenda pages 103 to 107.