Issue - meetings

Recommendation: Conditional approval and subsequent deferral and delegation of the final decision to the Assistant Director – Place Based Services following the conclusion of the advertising period on 12 September 2019, and subject to the consideration of any further representations received

Proposal: Full planning application comprising a new vehicular access, improved vision splays to Milley Lane for the existing and new access and associated fencing and gates

Applicant: Mrs D Klat

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 31 to 54.

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

·           A summary of 20 additional submissions against the proposal, and Officer responses to issues not raised in the previous submissions;

·           Additional Officer comment regarding traffic data;

·           Additional Officer comment regarding materials to be used;

·           Additional Officer comment regarding the loss of hedgerows;

·           Correction to the final paragraph on agenda page 31 to state that Council Officers raise no objection, as distinct from the objections raised by the Ward member;

·           Correction to paragraph 26 on agenda page 43, clarifying that listed building consent was not required and therefore Informative 1 was unnecessary.

Kim McLaren, resident, spoke in objection to the application. Kim stated that there had been 45 objections to this application, including from both Wargrave & Ruscombe Parish Councils. Kim added that this application sought the removal of all hedges and trees on this stretch of the road, and was directly opposite a listed building. Kim stated that the application would encroach on the green belt and would allow for the removal of mature native hedging and trees. Kim commented that the application would be harmful to the greenbelt and would become a negative feature within the setting of the listed building’s character. Kim added that TB24 required conservation of designated heritage assets, and was of the opinion that the views from Hill House were a material consideration and formed a part of the character of this listed asset. Kim stated that the application was located close to an area of special interest, and when taking in to account the recently declared climate emergency by Wokingham Borough Council serious consideration and reserve should be given to proposals asking for the removal of mature trees and hedgerows and thereofre should be required to remain. Kim raised concerns about traffic safety implications on Milley Lane, and added that HGVs could be impeded, even more so than currently, as a result of the proposed works. Kim concluded by stating that this location was inappropriate for access to the site and the application would harm the listed building Hill House.

Paola Kalisperas, on behalf of the applicant, spoke in favour of the application. Paola stated that the application would bring safety improvements to the existing main gate of the site. Paola added that her mother had originally purchased The Old House and the cottage combined, and subsequently purchased the current plot to breed rare pheasants – hence the name The Bird Gardens. Her mother had since sold part of the property. Paola stated that the current application had been altered based on pre-application advice and feedback from planning officers. Paola added that the application would achieve vehicular access to the Bird Garden in addition to widening the verges  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38