MINUTES

ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING 25/02/2008

Present:  Cllrs Thompson, Harries, Wilson, Buckwell, Booth, Pope, Liddiard, Bullock, Nesbitt,
Minutes:  Lesley Blackwell

 

1.       Apologies for absence

Cllr Ackworth, Cllr Hudson

2.        Declarations of Interest

None

3.        Minutes of the meeting held on 11th February 2008

The minutes were signed as correct.  Proposed Cllr Harries, seconded Cllr Bullock, 7 in favour, 2 abstentions.

4.        Planning Applications

07/02594/FUL                John O’Gaunt Community Technical College, Priory Road – Installation of 
                                        security steel fencing.  Cllr Booth has spoken to residents who can currently 
                                        see the school from their homes, this encourages neighbour surveillance if the
                                        fence is erected they will not be able to do this.  Cllr Hudson expressed that
                                        the latest version looks less imposing, but it sent out the wrong message. 
                                        Agreed that HTC needs to establish whether the fencing is mandatory,
                                        whether it is a directive from central government, Cllr Booth to check. 
                                        Agreed that we need to write to the school expressing the HTC views, Cllr
                                        Thompson to draft letter asking for the school to look at how the impact of the
                                        fence can be reduced, to explain how they feel it will add security, to consider
                                        the impact on the                 children at the school, ask if they have consulted the youth
                                        council, consider the impact on local residents.  Agreed that HTC want to
                                        speak when the application comes up before the planning committee.

08/00252/CON               Linden Cottage,
21 Oxford Street – Demolition of pre-fabricated concrete
                                        garage.  Concerns expressed re possible traffic issues whilst building work is
                                        ongoing.
                                        Proposed Cllr Liddiard, seconded Cllr Wilson, all in favour

08/00172/HOUSE          14
Moores Place – Two storey rear extension and conservatory – No
                                        objections.  Proposed Cllr Harries, seconded Cllr Buckwell, all in favour

08/00278/FUL                Robertas, 20 Charnham Street – Retrospective application for the construction
                                        of an extension with a room above, in the roof: treatment room and cloak
                                        room on the ground floor, accommodation above – No objections

08/00277/LBC                Robertas, 20 Charnham Street – Retrospective application for the construction
                                        of an extension with a room above, in the roof: treatment room and cloak
                                        room on the ground floor with accommodation above.  Cllr Buckwell advised
                                        group that planning approval was given approximately 16 years for the layout
                                        of the building, plans have not been updated, HTC need to support local
                                        businesses, alterations were modern and useful to the business -  No
                                        objections.  Proposed Cllr Bullock, seconded Cllr Booth, all in favour

5.        Case Officer’s Reports

07/02781/HOUSE          76 & 78 Priory Avenue –Double Garage – Approval
07/02536FUL John O’Gaunt Inn – Smoking shelter – Conditional permission
07/02351/FUL                Chilton Lodge – Installation of 3 roof lanterns in to flat roof –
                                        Conditional approval
07/02353/LBC                Chilton Lodge – Demolition of two walls in the kitchen –
                                        Conditional approval
07/02352/LBC2              Chilton Lodge – Installation of 3 glazed lanterns and removal of 4
                                        circular roof lanterns – Conditional approval

6.      Affordable Housing

Decisions and Resolutions regarding selection of partners

Copy of reports from 3 companies have been circulated, all members need to consider before a decision is made, all good presentations.  All Councillors expressed their views and preferences.  Agreed that Testway was the preferred choice and A2 was second choice, proposed Cllr Bullock, seconded Cllr Liddiard, 9 in favour, 1 abstention.  Agreed that the next stages were to speak to Arlene Kersley and take to Full Council.  Cllr Harries/Cllr Thompson to write to all housing associations/candidates.  Affordable Housing to be an agenda item for Full Council.

Report & Seminar – LDF

Cllr Thompson and Cllr Harries both attended the LDF seminar, felt it was useful and informative.  Highlighted that when sites are being chosen initially for development it is not taken into account that they may be SSI or AONB.  The plans indicated that there was opposition to development in the area between Newbury and Thatcham.  There are proposals for 10,000 houses to be built in the WBC area between now and 2026 and 7,500 in the
Reading area.  250 – 500 of the WBC properties will be in the Hungerford region.  The sites will be identified by developers without consulting with WBC, development on the south side of the town is low priority, other areas are more viable.  Linden Homes has changed ownership, Cllr Thompson advised the new Chairman that Linden Homes had agreed to speak to HTC prior to any future developments by the company in the future.  Linden Homes have requested to come and speak to the Council, however it was agreed that at this stage it was not necessary.  Cllr Thompson to have the document on Sustainability Site Selection Criteria circulated to all.  Cllr Harries expressed a view that when additional property development from central government proposals /funding was planned for Hungerford that it was only right that the local council and residents should be consulted.


Amendments:_____________________________________________________________________

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Signed:_______________________________   Chairman of Environment and Planning Committee