Minutes of the Environment and Planning Committee held on Monday, 9th March 2009 at 7.00pm in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford

Present:  Cllrs Booth, Buckwell, Harries, Wilson, Acworth, Hudson, Liddiard, Bullock, Gaines, Werrell, Pope and Parry.   Also in attendance Cllr Cardwell and Clare Hardy NWN

1. Apologies for absence:  none

2. Declarations of interest:  none

3. Minutes of meeting held on 20th February 2009:  proposed as a true record by Cllr Liddiard, seconded by Cllr Wilson, 3 abstentions, 9 in favour.

4. LDF Sub-committee

Minutes of meeting held 29th January 2009 can be signed off at the next sub-committee, and ratified at full council.

5. Planning Applications

Before the planning application was debated, Cllr Booth summarised her discussions with Paul Jackson from West Berkshire Council’s Planning Department regarding the three boxes on the Observations form – No Objections, Support, Object – which she suggested were open to misinterpretation.  The Support category is best used only for large issues with positive benefit for the people of the town.  West Berkshire Planning staff can also be confused:  a householder whose plans the Committee had No Objection to had been told by WBC staff that the Council did not Support his application and he was upset.  Mr Jackson was in agreement that only two boxes were necessary and is looking into the issue. 

09/00199/ADV
Somerfield Stores, Everland Road - Tesco Stores Ltd
Proposed building and site signage of varying types including fascia signs, vinyl signs, banner signs and trolley bays.

During discussion on this application, it was pointed out that the application covered only the signage (ie an Application for consent to display an advertisement(s)).  Cllr Pope proposed support, seconded by Cllr Bullock;  Cllr Acworth counter-proposed No Objection which was seconded by Cllr Hudson, 1 abstention, 1 against, 10 in favour.  The amended vote was carried.

6. Case Officer’s Reports

08/02270/HOUSE

Bel Air, Marsh Lane – Mr Neil Benson

Retrospective – extend bedroom over car port and increase height of garage

RETROSPECTIVE GRANTED

Cllr Booth said she had written to West Berkshire Council’s Planning Department asking for comments on why this retrospective permission (which has a long history of refusals) had been granted.  A reply is awaited.

7. Risk assessments:  nothing to report.

The meeting closed at 7.35 pm