Minutes of the Environment and Planning Committee meeting held on Monday, 12th October 2009 at 7 pm in the Corn Exchange Complex, Hungerford. 

Present:  Cllrs Booth, Buckwell, Cardwell, Harries, Acworth, Liddiard, Bullock, Gaines, Parry and Ravenhill.

Before the meeting began, the developer, Barton Willmore presented plans for the development of land at Charnham Park.  Brochures of the proposals were circulated.  Tim Burden introduced the plans and said they would be submitted by the end of the year.  The proposed hotel would be a low cost one, as would the proposed supermarket.  David Murray-Cox spoke regarding their policy (see brochure);  Dick Hyams spoke re the proposed development (see brochure).  Cllr Cardwell requested assurance that the design would be rural and in keeping with the town (ie we are not a ‘small Newbury’).  They left the meeting at 7.20 pm. 

1. Apologies for absence:   Cllrs Wilson (ill), Hudson (ill) and Wynell-Sutherland (previous engagement).

2. Declarations of interest:  Cllr Cardwell declared an interest in planning application no: 09/01861/HOUSE – 17 Cherry Grove

3. Minutes of meeting held on 28th September 2009:  proposed by Cllr Bullock, seconded by Cllr Gaines, all in favour

4. Exception site:  Cllr Liddiard proposed suspension of standing orders, seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour.  Janice Elks spoke on behalf of herself and 15 other Shalbourne Close residents.  Their issues were (1) that, since Shalbourne Close is a ‘close’ it should not be treated as a thoroughfare and therefore they object to the gate and footpath through to the exception site;  (2) the road floods after heavy rain therefore with more concrete and hard-standings, the drainage problem should be addressed;  (3) the bank along the roadside should not be encroached upon when a new path is created and the road is widened.;  (4) they need to know who will take responsibility for the existing/new trees on the site.

The Chairman, Cllr Booth, said that, although the planning officer has said he requires the footpath to remain open, Hungerford Town Council will support the residents in having it closed and will speak at WBC’s Planning Committee meeting.  The residents were encouraged to write to WBC with copies to HTC and Dist Cllr Paul Hewer.  Similarly, with the flooding issue, write to WBC and copy HTC.  Cllr Booth had been assured previously that the road would not be widened.

Cllr Liddiard proposed reinstatement of SOs, seconded by Cllr Bullock, all in favour.  The residents left at 7.45 pm.  Action:  clerk to write to WBC Planning re the drainage (cc EA), no public right of way (or who cares for it if it must remain), and clarifying road width.

5. Planning applications

09/01726/FULEXT

Land at North Standen Road - Testway Housing Limited

16 Affordable dwellings comprising of 2 no. 2 bed flats, 10 no. 2 bed houses and 4 no. 3 bed houses, together with access road and 32 parking spaces.

Cllr Bullock proposed Support, seconded by Cllr Liddiard, all in favour

09/01661/FUL

Land adjacent to 136 The Marsh, Bath Road - Mr M Leggott

To construct double garage with additional storage space

Cllr Harries proposed No Objection, seconded by Cllr Parry, all in favour.

09/01861/HOUSE
17 Cherry Grove - Mr Kevin Slatter
Proposed loft conversion including conservation style velux rooflights and raising the roof.

Cllr Gaines proposed No Objection, seconded by Cllr Harries, 1 abstention (EC), rest in favour.

09/01695/FUL
The Airstrip, Anvilles Farm - Mr C Persson
Section 73 - Variation of Condition 3 of Planning Application 136418 to permit the limited use of the aircraft hangar and garage by persons other than the original applicant.

Cllr Liddiard proposed Support, seconded by Cllr Acworth;  Cllr Harries proposed counter-vote Object, seconded by Cllr Gaines, 6 in favour, 3 against, the latter vote carried.

09/01886/FULD

19 Kennet Way - Mr Liam Quick

Enlarge existing structural shell, to form 3 no. flats adjacent to No 19.  Cllr Acworth proposed Object, seconded with Cllr Gaines, all in favour, with comment ‘over-development and insufficient parking’.

09/01943/FUL and 09/01941/FUL

128 High Street - Mr Peter Taylor

Application for removal or variation of condition 2 of planning permission reference 06/01629/FUL  and  Section 73 - Application for removal or variation of condition 2 of planning permission reference 05/02265/FUL

Cllr Bullock proposed Support, seconded by Cllr Harries, all in favour.

6. 10:10 Campaign:  in the absence of Cllr Hudson, Cllr Acworth explained this national initiative to improve energy efficiency.  There was discussion.  Cllr Parry said that the campaign was begun by the Guardian, with the idea of encouraging recycling, eco-efficiency, etc.  The Committee agreed that Hungerford Town Council should accept the principle of the campaign.  Cllr Bullock proposed that Cllr Hudson speak at the next full Council meeting, seconded y Cllr Acworth, all in favour.

7. Risk Assessments:  nothing to add.

8. Finance:  nothing to add.

The meeting closed at 9.03 pm.