Agenda and minutes

Venue: David Hicks 1 - Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN

Contact: Callum Wernham  Democratic & Electoral Services Specialist

Media

Items
No. Item

41.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillors Gary Cowan and Pauline Jorgensen.

42.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 232 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 September 2019

 

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 September 2019 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members' Update pdf icon PDF 515 KB

There are a number of references to the Members’ Update within these minutes. The Members’ Update was circulated to all present prior to the meeting. A copy is attached.

43.

Declaration of Interest

To receive any declaration of interest

 

Minutes:

Simon Weeks declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 46 (application number 191112) on the grounds that he knew the applicant, who was a farmer within his ward, and had conversations and interactions with the applicant in the past. Simon stated that he would hand over the Chair to the Vice Chair for the duration of the item, leave the room and take no part in the discussion, debate or voting of this item. 

44.

Applications to be Deferred and Withdrawn items

To consider any recommendations to defer applications from the schedule and to note any applications that may have been withdrawn.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There were no applications recommended for deferral, or withdrawn.

45.

Application No. 191753 - Parcel AA - Arborfield Garrison SDL pdf icon PDF 782 KB

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Proposal: Application for approval of reserved matters pursuant to outline planning consent O/02014/2280 for the erection of 44 dwellings associated internal roads, parking and landscaping

 

Applicant: Millgate Homes (C/O Mr Richard Barter)

 

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 11 to 42.

 

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

 

·           Clarity that the actual site (Parcel AA) sat wholly within Barkham Parish;

·           Altered condition 2 to include the final plans for decision;

·           Response to Arborfield and Newland consultation;

·           Clarification of the parking table following amended plans.

 

Simon Weeks queried whether the proposed development would be an improvement on the buildings currently situated at the site, whether Crest Nicholson were responsible for the overall affordable housing provision across the SDL, and whether other parcels within the SDL had a lower density. Alex Thwaites, Case Officer, stated that in his view the proposed dwellings would be a considerable improvement. Alex clarified that Crest Nicholson did indeed have the responsibility to meet the overall 20% onsite affordable housing contribution in addition to a 15% commuted sum across the SDL. Alex stated that other parcels of the SDL had a lower density than that proposed for Parcel AA.

 

A number of Members queried whether social cohesion had been taken into account across the SDL when considering where to place affordable housing. Connor Corrigan, Service Manager – Strategic Development Locations and Planning Delivery, stated that social landlords had assessed the SDL, both as a whole and as its component parcels, and had identified areas which would allow for the most effective management of properties. Connor added that the Arborfield SDL was a large site and the social landlords had identified a number of larger areas within larger parcels to place onsite affordable housing.

 

Stephen Conway queried whether, as per the Parish Councils comment, there was a risk people would park outside of the development on Princess Marina Drive. Judy Kelly, Highways Development Manager, stated that the proposed development met the Council’s parking standards. Judy added that that the developers had amended the plans to move 4 parking spaces away from the junction. Judy stated that Princess Marina Drive had double yellow lines which would make it unlikely that it would be used as an overflow.

 

Andrew Mickleburgh queried aspects of the electric vehicle charging provision at the proposed development. Simon Weeks clarified that there was no current local or national electric vehicle charging policy, however a national policy was currently being drawn up. Judy Kelly stated that part of the Council’s new highways design guide included guidance on electric vehicle charging, and the highways department were working with developers to help accommodate electric vehicle charging provision. Judy added that she would expect approximately 4 active and 21 passive charging points on a site of this size. Connor Corrigan stated that the biggest issue with electric vehicle charging provision was the lack of power station infrastructure, further guidance on which would be included within the national guidance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

46.

Application 191112 - Manor Farm, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 3TL pdf icon PDF 741 KB

Recommendation: Conditional approval

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Simon Weeks left the room for the duration of this item. Chris Bowring assumed the Chair for the duration of this item.

 

Proposal: Full planning application for the erection of 25No polytunnels (retrospective)

 

Applicant: Mr Slavchev

 

The Committee received and reviewed a report about this application, set out in agenda pages 43 to 68.

 

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included the deletion of condition 5.

 

Chris Bowring asked for confirmation that the Committee could consider this application on its own merits as it was a retrospective application, and sought clarification as to why it was now considered acceptable to allow additional polytunnels, when previously it was indicated that no more polytunnels were required on the farm. Simon Taylor, Case Officer, confirmed that the Committee could consider this application on its own merits. Simon added that market conditions had changed over time and it was now considered acceptable to allow additional polytunnels.

 

Angus Ross commented that the proposals only accounted for a 6 percent increase in total land covered by polytunnels, which was minimal.

 

Carl Doran queried whether the polytunnels were a single use plastic. Simon Taylor stated that the polytunnels were not a single use plastic, and they were proposed to be stored and re-used. 

 

Andrew Mickleburgh suggested that only non-deciduous plants be used to screen the site from its surroundings. Connor Corrigan, Service Manager – Strategic Development Locations and Planning Delivery, stated that the attached landscaping condition allowed the Council to control the species used as part of the screening.

 

Stephen Conway sought reassurances as to the reasoning behind the deletion of condition 5. Connor Corrigan stated that this condition was deleted as it was not deemed reasonable on the applicant to impose this condition. Connor added that a situation could have arisen which would require the applicant to bin additional crop which would then require trucks to remove the waste. Therefore, there would be no additional impact on the road network should the crop be binned or transported for sale.

 

RESOLVED That application 191112 be approved, subject to conditions and informatives as set out in agenda pages 44 to 46, and the deletion of condition 5 as set out within the Members’ Update.

 

Simon Weeks resumed the Chair.