Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Callum Wernham  Democratic & Electoral Services Specialist

Media

Items
No. Item

11.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

An apology for absence was submitted from Councillor Gary Cowan.

12.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 323 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 July 2020

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 July 2020 were confirmed as a correct record and would be signed by the Chairman at a later date.

Members' Update pdf icon PDF 234 KB

There are a number of references to the Members’ Update within these minutes. The Members’ Update was circulated to all present at the meeting, and published on the WBC website. A copy is attached.

13.

Declaration of Interest

To receive any declaration of interest

 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

14.

Applications to be Deferred and Withdrawn items

To consider any recommendations to defer applications from the schedule and to note any applications that may have been withdrawn.

Minutes:

There were no applications recommended for deferral, or withdrawn.

15.

Application No.201149 - Land East of Oak Avenue South of Sadler Crescent and North of A329 London Road RG40 1LH pdf icon PDF 514 KB

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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.

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.

17.

Application No.200951 - Sonning Golf Club, Duffield Road, Woodley, RG4 6GJ pdf icon PDF 341 KB

Recommendation: Conditional approval subject to legal agreement

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Proposal:Application for the approval of reserved matters pursuant to outline planning consent 161529 (APP/X0360/W/17/3167142) for the erection of 13 dwellings with associated highway works, public open space and landscaping. Details of Layout, Appearance, Landscaping and Scale to be determined.

 

Applicant: Mr Chris Rees, Alfred Homes

 

The Committee received and reviewed a report, set out in agenda pages 107 to 164.

 

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

 

·           Amendment to recommendation A;

·           Updated to condition 2 to include the approved plans.

 

In line with the given deadlines, four public written submissions were received for this item. These submissions were circulated to Members in advance, and noted on the evening. The submissions as provided can be found below.

 

Sonning Parish Council provided the following submission in objection to the application:

 

Sonning is a Limited Development Location with limited access to shopping facilities and opportunities to access facilities within acceptable walking distance. Occupiers would rely heavily on cars. Properties immediately to the left of the site are low, 1 ½ to 2 storey, individually designed dwellings, contributing to the area’s rural character. The plot, together with the Golf Club is in the countryside, where inappropriate development is considered ‘harmful’ and acts as a green buffer between Sonning and Woodley.

 

The outline plans (161529), allowed at appeal, included an illustrative view of the proposed development, showing modest detached 1 ½ storey dwellings, some detached, some semi-detached and a terrace of three.

 

The proposed dwellings are large 2 ½ storey dwellings of some height, that will tower over neighbouring dwellings and aimed at larger families than previously indicated. The 8 ‘5’ bedroom, detached dwellings all have ‘bonus’ rooms on the second floor and must be considered as 6-bedroomed. Therefore, is sufficient parking provided?

 

These changes will have a greater impact on the area than previously suggested at Appeal and represents overdevelopment of the site and are out of keeping with the area due to their height, bulk and size.

 

The Appeal Inspector said of 161529 ‘it is likely that the layout would be of an increased density and less spacious than the majority of surrounding development. The residential development would also diminish the existing value of green open space when viewed from adjacent residential properties’ This assessment was based on the illustrative view provided with the application. The impact will be so much greater if the proposed much larger dwellings are approved. 

 

The Inspector also said: ‘The proposal would be contrary to the countryside protection, environmental quality and landscape protection aims of policies CP1, CP3, CP9 and CP11 of the Core Strategy and policies CC02 and TB21 of the Wokingham Borough Managing Development Delivery Local Plan 2014 (MDD)’.

 

In December 2019, Sonning Parish Council carried out a speed survey along that stretch of Pound Lane with support from WBC Highway Officers, in December 2019. A daily vehicle count of almost 7000 a day southbound towards the proposed entrance/exit, which equates to 14000 vehicles per day. Speeds of 65 mph  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

18.

Application No.201143 - Land Adjacent to 166 Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead pdf icon PDF 309 KB

Recommendation: Conditional approval subject to legal agreement

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Simon Weeks took no part in the discussion or voting for this item.

 

Chris Bowring assumed the Chair for the duration of this item.

 

Proposal: Full planning application for the proposed addition of four pitches to an existing four pitch caravan park for gypsy and travellers, plus reconfiguration of existing site.

 

Applicant: Mr D Reed

 

The Committee received and reviewed a report, set out in agenda pages 165 to 188.

 

The Committee were advised that there were no Members’ Updates.

 

In line with the given deadlines, three public written submissions were received for this item. These submissions were circulated to Members in advance, and noted on the evening. The submissions as provided can be found below.

 

Gordon Veitch, Finchamstead Parish Council, provided the following submission in objection to the application:

 

“We object to this inappropriate overdevelopment of the site. The proposed development would cause issues with privacy for residents of The Dittons due to the close proximity of the static/mobile homes.

 

We believe WBC currently has adequate provisions for gypsy and traveller pitches.

We understand the existing plans appear inaccurate, the layout of existing pitches is incorrect and do not represent the current layout of the site.

 

If WBC is minded to approve this application we ask that conditions are added to any approval:

 

• Siting of mobile homes to be an acceptable distance from adjoining properties.

• Landscaping to offer satisfactory visual protection to existing properties.

• Light pollution, any street lights to be positioned and directed within the site.”

 

Emily Temple, agent, provided the following submission in support of the application:

 

We are pleased to bring forward this site allocated in the draft local plan update, for prospective development.  As Councillors may know, the land at number 166 has been home to an existing gypsy and traveller site since 2008 when two pitches were approved, with expansion to 4 pitches following planning approval in 2014.

 

The site is located immediately adjacent to the Modest Development Location of Finchampstead.  The site is operated by the occupants and owner of 166 Nine Mile Ride; being so close they are able to keep a watchful eye over the running of the site. The development would also use the existing access and hardstanding so there would be no apparent visual change when viewed from the road.

 

The current council need for pitches is identified as 5.5 pitches. Whilst some permissions have been granted they have not yet been implemented. Being an extension of an existing site, the land at number 166 is both suitable for development, available and deliverable immediately. This meets an ongoing need for household expansion as existing Gypsy Traveller children in the area grow up and form their own independent households. A larger site such as proposed is well below the 15 pitch maximum set in Government advice, whilst still accommodating larger single family groups.

 

I am pleased to note there is no objection from statutory consultees such as Highways and Environmental Health.  I can confirm a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.