Issue - meetings

Recommendation: Conditional approval subject to legal agreement

Proposal: Full planning application for the proposed erection of 1 no. 4 Bedroom detached house and 2 no. 3 Bedroom semi-detached houses with associated parking, access and landscaping.

Applicant: Hicks Development Ltd.

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 17 to 44.

The Committee were advised that the Members Update included:

·           Clarification to paragraph 8;

·           Inclusion of Table 1 to paragraph 24.

Rosemary Cook, Earley Town Council, spoke in objection to the application. Rosemary stated that Earley Town Council had concerns over the height of the proposed dwellings and the impact on the SULV which the development would take place within. Rosemary added that there were also concerns over the maintenance of the buffer on the eastern size of the development.

Jenny Lissaman, on behalf of the Residents’ Association, spoke in objection to the application. Jenny stated that TB22 set out the Site of Urban Landscape Value (SULV) for the Bulmershe area, and added that the proposed development site was situated within it. Jenny commented that there had been a long history of planning applications within the area and its surrounding parts. Jenny stated that Woodley Town Council had made no comments on this application, however Jenny added that this was the case as Woodley Town Council had not been consulted regarding this application. Jenny was of the opinion that the new development would be out of keeping with the character of the area and added that many trees within the garden had been cut down, in addition to a TPOd tree which had been severely ‘pruned’. Jenny felt that the proposed dwellings would overlook the existing properties in the area, would be a case of overdevelopment and would look out of place in the context of the surrounding area. Jenny felt that there was a risk that the access road for this development could be used as a free local car park. Jenny asked that new planting and soft landscaping take place in the separate 10 dwelling development that had been allowed at appeal, as per the S106 agreement. Jenny asked that the Committee carefully consider the impact of this application on the character of the area and the SULV, and subsequently refuse it.

Steve Hicks, Applicant, spoke in favour of the application. Steve stated that a planning application for further development at Addington School had recently been approved whilst also being located within the SULV. Steve stated that the landscape buffer reduced the proposed development’s impact on the SULV and suggested that this buffer would be commuted to Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) for maintenance. Steve stated that no TPOd trees would be removed as part of this application, and added that the proposed dwellings were no higher than those of properties found on Pitts Lane. Steve stated that landscaping would be provided and a commuted sum for affordable housing contributions formed part of this application. Steve commented that each of the proposed dwellings would now comply with all amenity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19