Issue - meetings

200378

Meeting: 12/08/2020 - Planning Committee (Item 16)

16 Application No.200378 - Dinton Activity Centre, Sandford Lane, Hurst, RG10 0SU pdf icon PDF 538 KB

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Proposal: Full application for the erection of an activity centre, with activity hall, changing facilities, classroom facility, ancillary offices and café, landscaping and parking following demolition of the existing Dinton Activity Centre.

 

Applicant: Wokingham Borough Council (WBC)

 

The Committee received and reviewed a report, set out in agenda pages 59 to 106.

 

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

 

·           Amended condition 2, to now include the relevant drawing numbers;

·           Amended condition 14;

·           Replacement of informative 3, and new informative 4;

·           Amended condition 19;

·           Removal of paragraph 60 of the officer report;

·           Correction that the floor space is 622 square meters, however an employment skills plan was still triggered as the site was over 1 hectare and this application was therefore a major application;

·           Confirmation that the proposals would create 3 additional permanent jobs, and other more variable seasonal jobs during the summer months.

 

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.

 

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

 

“The proposals presented here this evening are to replace and expand existing important community uses that are offered on behalf of Wokingham Borough Council. The existing Dinton Activity Centre has seen better days and the proposals presented here are to provide modern, high-quality and sustainable buildings, to allow the Council to continue offering a range of outdoor activities, along with important Council run courses.

 

The improved facilities, whilst not expanding the day-to-day offering of the centre during the peak season, will allow the centre to operate through a larger portion of the year, providing important facilities to children and adults. This is largely thanks to the proposed new activity hall and improved indoor classroom area that can be opened up to provide additional lecture theatre style space.

 

The proposals are a result of extensive pre-application discussions with the Council’s officers, presentations to members of the public and careful review of potential impacts that the proposed development may have on the locality. It is considered that the resultant development has been carefully considered and will improve the offer at the site, whilst having no impact on neighbouring properties.

 

Whilst not a specific requirement of this proposal, due to its scale, a number of sustainable technologies will be utilised in the building to ensure it reduces its energy consumption needs and lowers its CO2 output.

 

Members, the scheme presented here this evening has been carefully considered, accords with relevant planning policy and provides a valuable and much needed contribution to local community services provided by the Council. As such, the Council’s Officer has recommended approval of the application and I request members support the positive recommendation and approve this application.”

 

Members were asked in turn for any comments or queries on this application. Specific comments or queries are summarised below.

 

Simon Weeks commented that the buildings  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16