Issue - meetings

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Proposal: Full planning application for a park and ride facility comprising access, car and motorcycle parking spaces, bicycle storage, bus stops, landscaping, drainage and ancillary development.

Applicant: Wokingham Borough Council (WBC)

The Committee received and reviewed a report, set out in agenda pages 23 to 58.

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

·           Various corrections to references of neighbouring property addresses;

·           Confirmation that that assessment of impact on residential amenity was undertaken in relation to the above mentioned properties;

·           An annotated version of the site plan was circulated to Members for their consideration.

In line with the given deadlines, one public written submission was received for this item. This submission was circulated to Members in advance, and noted on the evening. The submission as provided can be found below.

WSP provided the following statement in support of the application on behalf of the applicant:

1      “The Scheme is part of a local commitment to relieve congestion along key road corridors and is supported by Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) and Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) in their work to deliver cross-boundary solutions to local transport network issues. The proposed Site was previously identified as part of the Keephatch Beech development, and has been designated as a Park and Ride (P&R) facility within WBC’s Core Strategy (2010), reinforcing the case that a P&R Scheme at this location forms part of a long-established preference for the Council’s transport solutions for reducing congestion and improving connectivity to Wokingham and Bracknell.

2      The Scheme would complement other A329 strategic corridor improvement schemes promoted by both WBC and BFC in contributing to mitigate the impact arising from new developments. The Scheme will provide 254 car parking spaces and provide an alternative travel choice along the A329 corridor. The Scheme aligns with the Council’s ambitions as the Site is allocated in WBC’s Local Transport Plan (Strategy 2011 – 2026).

3      The desired outcome of the Scheme is to improve accessibility through public transport by providing an alternative method of transport into Wokingham and Bracknell town centres, which would encourage more people to switch from using the private car to a more sustainable transport mode. By removing car trips, the Scheme would result in improved journey times to Wokingham and Bracknell town centres, especially at peak times which would have beneficial effects on reducing congestion and therefore driver stress, whilst facilitating air quality improvements and noise reduction. Overall, the Scheme will ensure public transport is more inclusive by ensuring good quality bus services to and from key destinations in the area.

4      The car park design include spaces and charging points for electric vehicles which will help reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change. In 2019 WBC declared a “climate emergency”, the Scheme contributes to the steps WBC is taking to reduce adverse environmental impacts and improve public health in the area, and to make WBC carbon neutral by 2030.

5      The Planning, Design and Access Statement (PDAS) submitted with the planning application provides  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15