Minutes of the Environment and Planning Committee meeting held on Friday, 20th February 2009 in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford.

Mr Adrian Scrope thanked the Council for the opportunity to present Chilton Estates plans to develop land at Folly Dog Leg and Upper Eddington and introduced Mr Richard Neville of Southern Properties, Mr John Cornwall, planning consultant, and Mr Gordon Kerr, architect.  Mr Cornwall said that a lot of work has gone into the presentation, but nothing is definite yet and they will be taking account in their plans of any feedback from the two-day presentation.  He acknowledged that the Secretary of State is yet to release details on housing numbers which West Berkshire must expect under the Local Development Framework (LDF).  The plan is to build 105 houses in total, 30% of which will be affordable housing, and this total is deductable from the target LDF allocation.  Hungerford is PPS3 Compliant, meaning that is a sustainable settlement which contains all the services for day to day living.  He said that both sites have dense development which trickles out to loose development at the edges.  They have identified a pipeline; this cannot be built on so will be subject to landscaping.  They are anxious to preserve the settings of both sites.  Gordon explained that the plan hopefully demonstrates how homes for Hungerford can be accommodated, but the plans are conceptual – they want feedback from the people of Hungerford, after which the plans will be further developed ready for submission for outline planning permission.  If this is granted, then detailed plans will be drawn up ready for submission for full planning consent in a couple of months’ time.

Cllr Booth thanked Gordon and John for their presentation and asked for questions from the public, where the question was raised of how the over-subscribed local schools and other facilities would cope.  It was explained that every developer must pay a substantial contribution of ‘Section 106’ monies, which go to the local authority to pay for improvements to schools, etc. 

Messrs Scrope, Neville, Cornwall and Kerr, and all the members of the public left at 7.25 pm.

Present:  Cllrs Booth, Harries, Liddiard, Pope, Wilson, Acworth, Bullock, Werrell & Parry.

1. Apologies for absence:  Cllrs Hudson (commitment), Buckwell (holiday) and Gaines (commitment).

2. Declarations of interest:  none

3. Minutes of meeting held on 10th February 2009 were proposed as a true record by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour.

4. LDF Sub-committee:  In the absence of Cllr Gaines, this was held over to the next meeting.

5. Planning Applications

         09/00161/CON

         Support was proposed by Cllr Harries, seconded by Cllr Wilson, all in favour.

         09/00/FULD

         Support was proposed by Cllr Harries, seconded by Cllr Wilson, all in favour.

6. Case Officer’s Reports:

Councillors noted their disappointment that WBC had allowed retrospective planning permission on 08/02270/HOUSE – Bel Air, Marsh Lane, Mr Neil Benson.

7. Risk assessments:  the clerk reminded councillors that high visibility jackets are available in the Council office.

The meeting closed at 7.35 pm