Minutes of the Environment & Planning Committee meeting held on Tuesday, 13th January 2009 in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford
Present Cllrs Booth, Buckwell, Harries, Hudson, Gaines, Acworth, Bullock, Liddiard and Cardwell. Three members of the public.
1. Apologies: Cllrs Pope (ill), Wilson (holiday), Parry (other commitment) and Werrell (work).
2. Declarations of interest: Cllr Liddiard declared an interest it application 08/02158.
3. Minutes of meeting held on 8th December 2009 were proposed as a true record by Cllr Buckwell, seconded by Cllr Gaines, 6 in favour, 2 abstentions.
Matters arising:
08/02126/FUL – The Old Vicarage
Two members of the public wished to speak therefore Cllr Bullock proposed suspension of Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour. Avril and Miriam Frenkel doubted that staffing at the Old Vicarage was sufficient to care for the residents there and said that there needs to be a balance between the staff/patients with the size of the town. Mrs Frenkel said that she and her husband had sent a letter to WBC by Recorded Delivery, but Cllr Harries reported WBC had said that no letters of objection had been received. It was suggested that Mrs Frenkel write directly to Hungerford Town Council with their concerns, and also to address their concerns directly with the management at The Vicarage. Cllr Harries reported that he had received separate complaints about the application (one of which was from the Town and Manor). Cllr Booth said that the system needs investigating.
Cllr Buckwell clarified the reasoning why the Council gave different votes (ie Object to the first; Support for the second) for the two applications: the first (subsequently withdrawn) impinged directly on the listed building; the current application did not since it was outside the protection of listed building status.
Cllr Buckwell proposed reinstatement of standing orders, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour. Discussion took place on Hungerford Town Council’s different responses to the two applications and the Clerk reiterated the advice from WBC's Planners that Councillors should consider the use of the building only inasmuch as it impinges on the structure. Action: Clerk/Chairman to write to WBC.
08/00570/FUL – 50 Church Street – appeal against the Enforcement Notice
The committee agreed that the comments sent with the previous observation should be reiterated to WBC, ie that this Council objects on the grounds that it contravenes article 7 of the electrical code. Together with Health & Safety Act, fan is not covered and wires are exposed. It is visually intrusive and an eyesore to the façade of the building.
4. LDF Sub-committee’s expansion and terms of reference: The terms of reference have been written – copy attached.
5. Planning Applications
08/02151/LBC
5 Faulknor Square, Charnham Street – Mr N Thornton
Re roof existing house
with Keymer Shire plain clay tiles and Keymer Ridge tiles, etc.
No Objections proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Gaines, all in
favour.
08/02158/FULD
Land adjacent to 10 Park Street – Ms L Mizon
New dwelling
Cllr Liddiard declared an interest in this item. No Objections proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour. Concern was expressed regarding adequate on-road parking for the new dwelling. Vote seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour.
08/01821/HOUSE
4 Fairview Road – Mr R Gregory
Retrospective – Summer House in rear garden
No Objections proposed by Cllr Harries, seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour.
08/02183/FUL
The Bear Hotel – Mr C Heaney
Erection of a single storey extension to provide additional space for the Riverside Conference Room
No Objections proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Acworth, all in favour.
08/02315/HOUSE
9 Aldbourne Close – Mr & Mrs Holloway
Proposed rear single storey extension and new front porch
No Objection proposed by Cllr Gaines, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour.
Miss Rebecca Scorey wished to speak on the next item, therefore Cllr Bullock proposed suspension of Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour.
08/02270/HOUSE
Bel Air, Marsh Lane – Mr Neil Benson
Retrospective – extend bedroom over car port and increase height of garage
Miss Scorey outlined the development of this site over the years, stating that this is not the first retrospective application, and is over-development of the site. Cllr Gaines proposed reinstatement of Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour. Cllr Harries agreed with Miss Scorey that this is clearly a case of the householder ignoring planning rules. Cllr Harries proposed Objection , seconded by Cllr Gaines, all in favour. Cllr Harries proposed that this case be referred to WBC Committee, seconded by Cllr Gaines, all in favour. Action: Letter to WBC outlining this Committee’s objection. ‘This site has been subject to continued abuse of the planning system’, ‘The applicant is attempting to extend the dwelling which is in contravention of a previous appeal decision. It is outside the town boundary.’ Cllr Buckwell proposed suspension of Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour. Miss Scorey said that, if this applicant is allowed to do exactly as what he wants regardless of previous rejections, this would open retrospective planning to anyone who is willing to abuse the system. Cllr Gaines proposed reinstatement of Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Hudson, all in favour.
The meeting closed at 8.33 pm.