Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 December 2013.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Committee meeting held on 19 December 2013 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

Any Member with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or an Affected Interest in a matter should withdraw from the meeting when the matter is under consideration and should notify the Democratic Services Officer in attendance that they are withdrawing as they have such an interest. If the Interest is not entered on the register of Members interests the Monitoring Officer must be notified of the interest within 28 days.

There were no declarations of interest.

Any other items which, pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman decides are urgent.

There were no items of urgent business.

Outline application (including details of access from Nine Mile Ride and Old Wokingham Road) for the comprehensive redevelopment of the former Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), comprising demolition of existing buildings (excluding the new TRL headquarters building), the erection of up to 1000 dwellings, neighbourhood centre (comprising use classes A1, A2 and A3), retail unit (A1 / A2 / A3), primary school and associated playing fields, community centre, care home, and municipal depot, together with public open space, Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), surface water attenuation areas, landscaping, formation of public highways, vehicular access and parking.

Outline application (including details of access from Nine Mile Ride and Old Wokingham Road) for the comprehensive redevelopment of the former Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), comprising demolition of existing buildings (excluding the new TRL headquarters building), the erection of up to 1000 dwellings, neighbourhood centre (comprising use classes A1, A2 and A3), retail unit (A1 / A2 / A3), primary school and associated playing fields, community centre, care home, and municipal depot, together with public open space, Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), surface water attenuation areas, landscaping, formation of public highways, vehicular access and parking.

A site visit had been held on Saturday 18 January 2014 which had been attended by Councillors Mrs Barnard, Blatchford, Ms Brown, Brossard, Davison, Dudley, Finnie, Heydon and Thompson.

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Development Management tabled at the meeting and attached email and report from Crowthorne Parish Council dated 22 January 2014 and letter dated 22 January 2014 from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
• The objections received from the Crowthorne Village Action Group (CVAG) and 82 individuals. The majority of objectors supported the principle of developing the TRL site but raised the following overarching concerns:

-          1000 dwellings was not proportionate to the current size of Crowthorne

-          The development would be harmful to the character of Crowthorne

-          The development would place undue pressure on infrastructure (particularly highways) and social support.

The criteria for public speaking had been met in respect of this application and the Committee was addressed by the registered speakers Councillor McKenzie-Boyle, who presented his objections to the proposed development and Mr Baker, who spoke as the applicant (Legal and General Property Partners).

The Committee carefully noted the concerns of the objectors and the representations from the applicant. Members also noted that this was an outline application that would set the principles for the development and that details around the position of dwellings, general layout and details of buildings was yet to be approved, under reserved matters. This would allow an opportunity to consult the community further and engage them in the design of the proposed development.

On the proposition of Councillor Dudley, seconded by Councillor Birch a revision to the recommendations was proposed in the following terms:

i)                    That the second sentence of Condition 17 be amended to state: ‘No construction of any dwelling hereby permitted shall be commenced until the following highway works have been completed:’

ii)                   The words ‘in kind’ be deleted from the amended recommendation in the supplementary report, excepting the following paragraphs which state:

‘Either the provision in kind, or a financial contribution towards the provision by others of waste recycling facilities.’

‘Where on site and in kind provision is made for infrastructure or services where the intention is that the responsibility for long term management is to be transferred to the Council or other body, in addition a financial contribution towards commuted maintenance and management costs will be sought.’

Upon being put to the vote, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

Erection of single storey and two storey side extensions following demolition of existing attached garage, and erection of detached double garage to front of property. 

Erection of single storey and two storey side extensions following demolition of existing attached garage, and erection of detached double garage to front of property.

The Committee noted:

• The 6 letters of objection that had been received from 5 households. These objections were made prior to the amended plans being received and they have not been withdrawn following consultation on the amended plans. The objections to the original scheme raised the following issues:

- the proposed garage was too big and did not respect the building line. The garage would be detrimental to the street scene. The proposed development would result in a loss of privacy to neighbouring dwellings. One letter of objection had been received in respect of the amended plans.

The Committee noted that other households in this locality had garages at the front and that the proposed development was not out of keeping with the area.

It was RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:-

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.     

REASON:  To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out only in accordance with the following plans:        

Drg no 1040-03 received by the LPA 02.12.2013     

Drg no 1040-05 received by the LPA 02.12.2013     

Drg no 1040-04 received by the LPA 02.08.2013     

Site Location Plan received by the LPA 02.08.2013 

REASON: To ensure that the development is carried out only as approved by the Local Planning Authority

03.       The materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted shall be of similar appearance to those of the existing dwelling.       

REASON: In the interests of the visual amenities of the area.         

[Relevant Policies: BFBLP EN20, Core Strategy DPD CS7]

04.       The extension shall not be occupied until the associated vehicle parking and turning space has been surfaced and marked out in accordance with a scheme which has first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The spaces shall not thereafter be used for any purpose other than parking and turning.           

REASON: To ensure that the development is provided with adequate car parking to prevent the likelihood of on-street car parking which would be a danger to other road users.     

[Relevant Policies: BFBLP M9, Core Strategy DPD CS23]

05.       The garage accommodation shall be retained for the use of the parking of vehicles at all times.   

REASON: To ensure that the Local Planning Authority's vehicle parking standards are met.

[Relevant Policy: BFBLP M9]

06.       Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended) (or any Order revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification) no additional windows, similar openings or enlargement thereof shall be constructed in the south elevation of the extension hereby permitted except for any which may be shown on the approved drawing(s).          

REASON: To prevent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

Erection of 27no. dwellings with vehicular access from Binfield Road, and associated parking, bin and cycle storage and open space following the demolition of existing outbuildings.

Note for clarification: This application is a re-submission of planning permission 12/01008/FUL, to increase the number of proposed dwellings from 24 to 27.

Erection of 27no. dwellings with vehicular access from Binfield Road, and associated parking, bin and cycle storage and open space following the demolition of existing outbuildings.

Note for clarification: This application is a re-submission of planning permission 12/01008/FUL, to increase the number of proposed dwellings from 24 to 27.

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Development Management tabled at the meeting.
• The comments of Warfield Parish Council.

·         Three letters of objection which raised concerns around increased flooding along The Cut and the impact of surface water drainage in the vicinity of Manor Close. Concerns around the detrimental impact of increased density, road safety, road congestion and on vegetation were also raised.

The Committee noted that the re-submitted application included a net reduction in the overall number of bedrooms compared with the extant permission. Members expressed concerns about surface water drainage. The Committee noted that the Council’s Drainage Engineer had been involved in discussions regarding the ways of addressing surface water drainage concerns and that a condition relating to this matter was included in the recommendation.  

On the proposition of Councillor Dudley, seconded by Councillor Thompson a revised recommendation was proposed in the following terms:

An additional condition be inserted to state:

‘A sensitive lighting scheme is implemented for this proposal, so that artificial lights are not disturbing potential corridors and the proposed bat boxes.’

Upon being put to the vote, the revised recommendationwas carried.

It was RESOLVED that following the completion of planning obligation(s) under Section 106of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 relating to:-

01.       - the applicant entering in to a S38/S278 agreement for the dedication of land to provide an adoptable public route for pedestrians across the site from Binfield Road to the eastern edge of the site;                

            - control of planting in 8m wide margin alongside The Cut where it lies within the rear garden areas of Plots 1 to 5                 

            - suitable avoidance and mitigation measures and access management monitoring measures to mitigate extra pressure on the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (to include management of the SANG in accordance with the agreed management plan until it is transferred to Council ownership);          

            - mitigation of increased pressure on highways and transportation infrastructure, open space, educational and community facilities;       

            - provision of affordable housing in accordance with the development plan and the resolution on affordable housing made by the BFC Executive on 29 March 2011.    

            - on the implementation of the 27 unit scheme the applicant to submit a Notice of implementation stating which Permission will be implemented and carry out no further works under the earlier permission.

the Head of Development Management be authorised to APPROVE the application subject to the following condition(s):-

01.       The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.                 

REASON:  To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02.       The development hereby permitted shall be carried out only  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

27 February 2014

27 February 2014