Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Planning Committee held on Monday, 11th May 2009 at 7 pm in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford

Present:  Cllrs Booth, Buckwell, Hudson, Gaines, Harries, Liddiard, Werrell, Pope and Cardwell

1. Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Desmeules, Parry, Acworth, Bullock and Wilson. 

2. Declarations of interest:  Cllr Liddiard declared an interest in planning application for No 1 Charnham Street.

3. Election of Chairman and Deputy Chairman for coming year:  Cllr Buckwell proposed Cllr Booth as Chairman, saying that she has done an excellent job over the past year, seconded Cllr Pope, the vote as unanimous.  Cllr Pope proposed Cllr Buckwell as Deputy, seconded by Cllr Werrell and the vote was unanimous.  Cllr Booth thanked the committee for their support over the past year.

4. Minutes of meeting held on 27th April 2009 were proposed by Cllr Harries, seconded by Cllr Gaines, all in favour.

5. Planning Applications

09/00632/FULD  and  09/00633/LBC2

1 Charnham Street - Mr James Podger

Proposed new dwelling

         Cllr Booth read out a statement from a report prepared by the Tree Officer from WBC concerning the trees on the site, which is in a conservation area.  The Tree Officer stated that the proposed new dwelling would result in an unacceptable threat to the trees in turn damaging the character of the area. A total of nine trees to be felled.

         Eight members of the public were present including Mr Podger:  Cllr Gaines proposed suspension of Standing Orders to allow them to speak, seconded by Cllr Buckwell, all in favour.  Mr Podger explained that he has had Riverside House for 11 years but lives in Lechlade, and now wishes to move in to Hungerford.  He said that only one tree (a yew) would need to be felled.  Mr Gaudin from The Stables, 2a Charnham Street, said that the proposed building would overlook his house, and his property would suffer from loss of light.

         Cllr Buckwell pointed out to both the Committee and to the applicant that the plans submitted to HTC via WBC varied as to the area envisaged (particularly with regard to the new plot's access to the highway) and were,

a]   not consistent so could not provide the basis for a proper evaluation,
b]   provided inadequate parking for the size of house proposed.

            Cllr Cardwell proposed reinstatement of Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Liddiard, all in favour. After discussion, Cllr Booth explained that the committee felt that, while it does not object to a building on the site, it would object to the proposed building which it considers is too large and too tall for the site and would have a detrimental affect on the trees and the conservation area.  Cllr Booth proposed Objection.  This was seconded by Cllr Gaines, 2 abstentions, rest in favour.  Mr Podger thanked the committee for its time and left the meeting.

6. Case Officer’s Reports, etc:  Nothing further to report.

7. Risk assessments:  Nothing to report.

The meeting closed at 8.45 pm.