Minutes of the Environment and Planning committee meeting held on Wednesday 4th June 2008 at 7.00pm in the Corn Exchange complex, Hungerford.

Present:  Cllrs Booth, Thompson, Hudson, Wilson, Liddiard, Bullock, Gaines and Pope.   Several residents of Hungerford were also present.

1. Apologies for absence:  Cllrs Werrell, Acworth, Harries, Buckwell, Gaines*

2. Declarations of Interest:  None

3. Minutes of the meeting held on  12th May 2008

The minutes were proposed by Cllr Wilson, seconded by Cllr Liddiard, 2 abstentions, the rest in favour.  It was requested that the word ‘potential’ be added before ‘disproportionate’ in para 6(2).

4. LDF Response

(a)  Cllr Thompson reported that a committee has been set up comprising himself, Cllr Hudson, with Cllr Gaines in the Chair.

(b)  A public meeting was held in the Corn Exchange on 3rd June 2008, attended by around 70 people.

(c)  Following this public meeting, Cllrs Hudson, Gaines and Thompson have produced a rough draft response for consideration at the Extraordinary Town Council meeting to be held on 10th June.  Cllr Hudson will forward a copy to the 2010 Committee.

Cllr Booth added that the LDF, a sub-committee of E&P, would also comprise various representatives from the town.

Cllr Hudson added some viewpoints regarding the LDF document.  He then asked the Chairman if the LDF sub-committee responses could be discussed.  This was declined by the Chairman as full discussion will take place at the Extraordinary Town Council meeting.

5. Ramsbury Drive update

Cllr Booth explained that Rural Exception Sites would hold a maximum of 24 houses and be available only to people of Hungerford.  They could be rented or part-owned, and would for instance permit young people to stay within their town, where the cost of housing is high.  West Berkshire Council identified six sites and the Town Council had to look at them.

19 February – presentation by four housing associations. 

25 February – discussion at the E&P meeting.

11 March – E&P meeting where Testway were considered the best housing association.

16 April – site meeting with Testway.

We now await Testway’s response.  It was important not to get the hopes up of people who might be anticipating having a house in the town.

Cllr Thompson proposed Standing Orders be suspended;  seconded by Cllr Bullock.

Mr Stockwell spoke on behalf of the people of Shalbourne Close and outlined the concerns of the residents if the area were developed.  He said that the display outside Somerfield on Saturday (on the LDF) was extremely useful but felt that it is difficult to find information regarding LFD and exception sites.  It was pointed out that the Town Council website holds all agendas and minutes of meetings, as does the library. The Town Council’s newsletter Open Door also includes articles of Rural Exception Sites, and is delivered to as many of the residents of Hungerford as possible and is also available on the website.

Cllr Thompson went through the questions on LDF response document and outlined his own responses.  Cllr Booth made it clear that Cllr Thompson’s responses were his own personal view, and that residents of Hungerford must put their own viewpoints in the LDF document.  Cllr Holtby pointed out that the Local Development Framework was imposed on West Berkshire Council by central Government which it has to do by statute.  He gave assurance that all comments made by people on the LDF response forms would be taken into consideration by WBC.

Cllr Hudson also added some pointers regarding the completion of the LDF form and, once again, it was pointed out that these were his personal views.

Cllr Liddiard proposed reinstatement of standing orders, seconded by Cllr Bullock.

*Cllr Gaines joined the meeting at 8.20 pm.

6. Planning Applications

         08/00822/FUL         Three Swans Hotel – New entrance gates

No objection, proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Wilson, 2 abstentions, 7 in favour.

         08/00823/LBC2       Three Swans Hotel – New entrance gates

No objection, proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Wilson, 2 abstentions, 7 in favour.

         08/00826/LBC2       Three Swans Hotel – Convert existing beer store to patio bar and

                                       replaced tarmac courtyard with paving blocks and slabs

No objection, proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Wilson, 2 abstentions, 7 in favour.

         08/00898/HOUSE   23 The Croft – Basement extension with timber double glazed

                                       Garden room over.  Replacement French windows.  New decking

                                       area and steps.  New access into garden room formed by removal of

                                       existing window

No objection, proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Wilson, all in favour.

         08/00830/HOUSE   41 Coldharbour Road – Conservatory

No objection, proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Liddiard, all in favour.

The meeting closed at 20.40 pm

Amendments...................................................................................................................

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Signed…………………………………  Chairman of Environment and Planning Committee

Date…………………………………..