MINUTES OF THE

ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING 15/04/2008

Present:   Cllrs Pope, Harries, Buckwell, Wilson, Nesbitt, Gaines, Liddiard, Booth, Hudson, Thompson
Minutes:  Lesley Blackwell

1. Apologies for absence

Cllr Bullock, Acworth

2. Declarations of Interest

Cllr Buckwell

3. Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th April 2008

The minutes were signed as correct by Cllr Thompson, proposed Cllr Nesbitt, seconded Cllr Wilson, 9 in favour, 1 abstention.

4. Presentation from Mr Adrian Keel (Broadway Malyan) and Richard Evans (Sunley)

Presentation was given re the proposed development for the Oakes site.  Derek Carnegie from West Berks Council suggested the developers visited the Town Council to show their thoughts and ideas.  The site is 0.75 acres in size, next to the station and close to the town centre.  The site currently has a large shed on it and has been used for employment.  There are issues that need to be addressed re access to the site for heavy goods vehicles during site development.  The site has a 2 metre slope down to the canal.  It is suggested that there is a mix of offices, town houses, live/work units and affordable/private houses on the site to fit in with the existing property mix in the area.  The small office block would be 3 storeys high, the windows would look towards the railway and canal so the existing properties would not lose their privacy.  There are concerns re access and parking, Adrian Keel has spoken to Network Rail and some parking would be provided, 6 spaces have been identified for parking for the office units.  Concerns were raised re access from the site into Park Street, suggested that other access routes should be considered e.g via the old ambulance station, Fir Grove Court and Portdown.  It was noted that the area was designated an industrial area and that it was important to retain employment as well as providing housing.  Agreed that Cllr Harries and Adrian Keal would carry out a site visit to look at the potential for some of the ideas suggested at the meeting.  Agreed that Network Rail should be approached to agree on designated parking areas, 6 for employment, 20 for residents and 3 visitors spaces.  Plan for the site is 3 town houses, 3 industrial units with flats over, 1 live in unit, 10 private flats (mix of 1 and 2 bed), 6 affordable flats.  Broadway Malyan are looking at purchasing the site by June/July.  Cllr Hudson felt that the site would be better with all residential units and no industrial premises.  Cllr Harries to be contacted to arrange a site visit in the next few weeks.  Sunley left a brochure for Hungerford Town Council.

5. Planning Applications

08/00530/ADV              Herongate, Charnham Park – Leisure Centre Signage x 3 – No objections –
                                        Proposed Cllr Harries, seconded Cllr Wilson, all in favour.

08/00552/HOUSE          27 Bourne Vale – Single storey rear extension and single storey side
                                        extension.  Conversion of half garage into store for disabled person
                                        equipment and ramp  - No objections – Concern shown re overlooking no 29
                                        Proposed Cllr Booth, seconded Cllr Liddiard, all in favour

08/00543/FUL                Lovelocks, Newtown – Construction of range of timber stables to
                                        include foaling boxes and associated facilities – No objections
                                        Proposed Cllr Liddiard, seconded Cllr Harries, 9 in favour, 1 abstention

08/00548/FUL                Television Relay Station, Old Hayward – Relocate existing flat plate
                                        antenna at 28m on existing tower with development ancillary thereto
                                         - No objections – Query re technical aspects particularly radiation issues and
                                        presentation difficult to understand Proposed Cllr Buckwell, seconded Cllr

Wilson, 1 abstention, all in favour

6. Case Officer’s Reports

08/00172/HOUSE          14 Moores Place – Two storey extension and conservatory – Granted

08/00252/CON               Linden Cottage, 21 Oxford Street – Demolition of pre-fabricated
                                        concrete garage - Approval

08/00277/LBC                Robertas, 20 Charnham Street – Rear extension with a room in the
                                        roof ; treatment room and cloak room on the ground floor,
                                        accommodation above – Conditional approval

08/00278/FUL                Robertas, 20 Charnham Street – Rear extension with a room in the
                                        roof ; treatment room and cloak room on the ground floor,
                                        accommodation above – Conditional approval

7. Withdrawn Planning Applications

08/00056/HOUSE          9 Aldbourne Close – Front porch (enclosed).  Rear conservatory

07/02594/FUL                John O’Gaunt Community Technology College, Priory Road –
                                        Installation of boundary security fence Palisade steel fencing fronting
Priory Road

8. Affordable Housing

Meeting planned for 16^th April, Cllr Booth and Cllr Thompson to attend.  Cllr Gaines also attending as 2010 representative.

Meeting closed at 8.10pm.

Amendments:_____________________________________________________________________

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Signed:_______________________________   Chairman of Environment and Planning Committee

Date:________________________________