Minutes of the Environment & Planning meeting held on 20^th August 2007 in the Corn Exchange

complex, Hungerford

Present:  R. Scorey (Chairman), P. Harries, G. Bullock, W. Acworth, M. Wilson, D. Liddiard, R. Hudson and

                R. Thompson.

                1)             Apologies for absence

Apologies were received on behalf of Cllr Hudson

                2)             Declaration of Interests

No interests were declared

                3)             Minutes of the 6^th August 2007

07/P049                                Proposed:  Cllr Thompson, second:  Cllr Liddiard.  Agreed.   The minutes were signed as a

                                true and accurate record by Cllr. Scorey.

                4)             Planning Applications

07/01593/FUL                        120A High Street, Hungerford

                                                Change of use from A1 to mixed A1/A3                         

07/P049                                Proposed:  Cllr Scorey, second: Cllr Wilson that standing orders be suspended to allow members of

                                the public to speak.  Vote: All in favour.  

                                There were six letters of objection, which were forwarded to WBC.

                                                                Points raised by Nick Furr (Chamber of Commerce)

· General feeling that Hungerford depends on retail trade – this is what

        draws people to the town.

· A3 does not a driver of an economy but a service provider.

        Further points made:

· No study has been done to prove that it is retail that brings foot fall but global

        retail has reduced.

· Foot fall – it is self evident that retail brings people to the town.

Cllr Holtby (District Councillor) attended to hear deliberations, he acknowledged

that Hungerford survives on niche shopping.   From deliberations he gained the

impression that there is considerable anti feeling re the change to mixed A1/A3.

He will call the item into Chamber at WBC and will speak on the night of the

       WBC Planning meeting which will consider the plan.       

07/P050                                Proposed:  Cllr Scorey, second:  Cllr Thompson, that standing orders be re-instated.  Vote:  All

                                in favour.

07/P051                                Proposed:  Cllr Harries, second:  Cllr Wilson that the committee should Object to this planning

                                application.   Vote: All in favour of objection.

                                Remarks:  We object to this application as this is a prime A1 location within the primary shopping

                                                   section of the High Street.  The High Street is within a conservation area and the

                                                   character needs to be preserved.   We draw attention to the numbers mentioned in the

                                                   objection letter from Mrs Fiona Hobson and feel there is adequate existing A3 in

                                                   Hungerford.   We feel the foot fall in Hungerford relies upon its niche marketing and a

                                                   town of this size relies on such.

                                                   The council will wish to speak on this application.

07/01099/ADV                      Wessex House, 127 High Street, Hungerford

                                                Swing sign on wall                                                                                               No objections

07/P052                                Proposed:  Cllr Bullock, second:  Cllr Wilson.   Vote:  All in favour.   The council

                                does not wish to speak on this application.

07/01625/HOUSE  Cakewood Farm, Bath Road, Hungerford

                                                Construction of new driveway from existing gates, extension at rear of house

                                                to form new entrance and internal alterations.                                                No objections

07/P053                                Proposed:  Cllr Thompson, second:  Cllr Wilson.   Vote:  All in favour.    The council does

                                not wish to speak on this application.

-  2  -

07/01164/HOUSE  23 The Croft, Hungerford

                                                Amended plan for information – no action necessary.

                5)             Appeal Decision:  18 Priory Avenue.

Appeal dismissed.

                6)             Bridge Street:  Dwelling/Shop

                                Cllr Scorey still requires details from Cllrs Bullock and Harries re the person they met with and

                                the date of the meeting.

                7)             Planning Application Awareness

                                Deferred until next meeting.

                8)             HTC Flood Plan

07/P053                                Proposed:  Cllr Liddiard, second:  Cllr Thompson that standing orders be suspended to allow members

                                of the public to speak.   Vote:  All in favour.

07/P054                                Proposed:  Cllr Scorey, 2^nd Cllr Thompson that standing orders be re-instated.   Vote:  All in favour.

                                After some discussion it was:

07/P055                                Proposed:  Cllr Thompson, second:  Cllr Harries, that Cllr Thompson would contact all those who

                                have contacted the Council re flooding.

                9)             West Berkshire Planning Strategy

                                No action.

                10)           Caravan Sites/Travellers:  Update

                                The clerk is dealing with this.

                11)           Decision Reports

                07/01136/LBC                        2 Faulknor Square, Charnham Street                 Granted

                07/01164/HOUSE  23 the Croft, Hungerford                                                     Granted

                07/1223/HOUSE                    95 Priory Road, Hungerford                                               Granted

                12)           Correspondence

                                WBC: copy letter re The Three Swans – no action

                                WBC: s106 – no action

                                WBC: Local Development Framework – Cllr Bullock to read

                                South West Region Assembly:  Public Consultation Gypsies and Travellers in the

                                South West – clerk dealing.

Date of next meeting:  10^th September 2007

Signed:…………………………………..

Chairman, Environment & Planning

10^th September 2007