Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 September 2014.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Committee held on 18 September 2014 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 urgent items of business.

Erection of 5 no. five bedroom, 7 no. four bedroom, 2 no. three bedroom and 10 no. two bedroom dwellings with associated landscaping and vehicular access from Knox Green following demolition of existing buildings, and alterations to wall within the curtilage of a listed building.

A site visit was held on Saturday 11 October 2014 which was attended by Councillors Angell, Mrs Barnard, Birch, Blatchford, Ms Brown, Brossard, Davison, Dudley, Gbadebo, Heydon, Thompson.

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Development Management tabled at the meeting.
• The comments of Binfield Parish Council, the Victorian Society, the Georgian Group and English Heritage
• A petition with 60 signatories raising objection to the access to the proposed development being from Knox Green. 88 objections and an objection from Binfield Village Protection Society and Binfield Surgery raising concerns around numerous aspects of the proposed development which are summarised in the agenda papers.

The criteria for public speaking had been met in respect of this application and the Committee was addressed by the registered speakers Mr Trinder raising objections to the proposed development and Mr Killoran, the applicant.

Upon being put to the vote, it was RESOLVED that following the completion of planning obligation(s) under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 relating to:-

01.       - mitigation of increased pressure on highways and transportation infrastructure, education, open space and built sports facilities;  

- long-term management/maintenance of C19th garden wall and trees to south-east of Binfield House;   

- provision of affordable housing;      

- a S38/S278 agreement for the adoption of roads/footpaths on the site and to secure turning facilities

That 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 in accordance with the following approved plans:-

PL-1000          Location Plan 

PL-1002AM     Proposed Block Plan 

PL-1003AN     Proposed Information Layout

PL-1009A        Proposed Listed wall elevations         

PL-101            Plot 1 - Floor Plan      

PL-102            Plot 1 - Elevations      

PL-103A          Plot 2 - Ground and first floor plan    

PL-104            Plot 2 - Second floor and roof plan    

PL-105            Plot 2 - Elevations      

PL-106            Plot 3 - Ground and first floor plan    

PL-107            Plot 3 - Second floor plan and roof plan        

PL-108            Plot 3 - Elevations      

PL-109            Plot 4 - Floor Plan      

PL-110            Plot 4 - Elevations      

PL-111            Plot 5 - Floor plans and elevations     

PL-112            Plot 6 - Floor plans and elevations     

PL-113            Plot 7 - Floor Plan      

PL-114            Plot 7 - Elevations      

PL-115            Plot 8 - Floor Plan      

PL-116            Plot 8 - Elevations      

PL-117A          Plot 9 - Ground and first floor plan    

PL-118A          Plot 9 - Second floor plan and roof plan        

PL-119A          Plot 9 - Elevations      

PL-120A          Plot 10 - Floor Plan    

PL-121A          Plot 10 - Elevations    

PL-122A          Plot 11 - Floor Plan    

PL-123A          Plot 11 - Elevations    

PL-124            Plot 12 - Floor Plans  

PL-125            Plot 12 - Elevations and roof plan      

PL-125A          Plot 12 - Elevations    

PL-126A          Plots 13 & 18 Elevations        

PL-127B          Plot 13 & 18 Floor Plans        

PL-128            Plot 14-17 Floor Plans           

PL-129            Plot 14-17 Elevations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Application for listed building consent for alterations to walled garden within the curtilage of a listed building, comprising:-

- the removal of two lean-to buildings,

- the widening of an existing opening on the west side of the walled garden, and

- the infilling of an existing archway on the south side of the walled garden.

A site visit was held on Saturday 11 October 2014 which was attended by Councillors Angell, Mrs Barnard, Birch, Blatchford, Ms Brown, Brossard, Davison, Dudley, Gbadebo, Heydon, Thompson.

The Committee noted:

• The comments of Binfield Parish Council, the Victorian Society and the Georgian Group
• An objection from Binfield Village Protection Society, Binfield Surgery and 16 individual objections from individuals raising concerns that the walled garden formed an important and integral part of the curtilage of the Grade II listed building, Binfield House. 

The criteria for public speaking had been met in respect of this application and the Committee was addressed by the registered speakers Mr Trinder raising objections to the proposed development and Mr Jouanides, who spoke on behalf of the applicant.

Upon being put to the vote it was RESOLVED that the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:-

01. The works hereby approved shall be begun before the expiry of three years from the date of this permission.           

REASON: To comply with Section 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

02.       The works hereby approved shall be carried out only in accordance with the following approved plans:-  

8278 PL-1000

8278 PL-1008

8278 PL-1009 Rev A             

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

03.       The works hereby approved shall not be begun until drawings showing details of the section of wall to be rebuilt at the northern end of the opening in the western wall and the infilling of the archway on the southern wall, at a scale of not less that 1:20 and including elevation, plan and section details, have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The works shall be carried out as approved in accordance with the timescale approved under condition 04.                    

REASON: The submitted drawings are inadequate in this matter and further information is needed in order to protect and preserve the character of the listed building.                 

[Relevant Policies: Core Strategy CS1]

04.       The works hereby approved shall not be begun until a scheme, including a timetable for works, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority for steps and works to be taken to secure the safety and stability of the wall, including measures to strengthen it and to provide protection to it from weather, during the progress of works. The works shall be undertaken in accordance with the approved scheme.             

REASON: To protect and preserve the listed building                      

[Relevant Policies: Core Strategy DPD CS1]

05.       The works hereby approved shall not be begun until a scheme has been submitted to and approved in writing for the removal and storage of materials for their re-use in the northern end of the opening in the western wall and the infilling of the archway on the southern wall. The works shall only be carried out in accordance with the approved scheme.

REASON: To protect and preserve the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

Erection of a single storey rear extension.

A site visit was held on Saturday 11 October 2014 which was attended by Councillors Angell, Mrs Barnard, Blatchford, Ms Brown, Brossard, Davison, Dudley, Gbadebo, Heydon, Thompson.

The Committee noted:

• The comments of Warfield Parish Council
• An objection raising concerns around the proposed development leading to a further loss of light to 3 Hathaway Cottages.

On the proposition of Councillor Thompson, seconded by Councillor Mrs Barnard a motion was put forward to defer this application given that Members had been unable to gain access to 3 Hathaway Cottages during their site visit. Upon being put to the vote the motion was LOST.

The Committee were confident that the photographs presented by officers gave them a good representation of the impact of the proposed development on neighbouring properties.

Upon being put to the vote 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 approved plans:

1393/00/01 'Elevations, Floor Plans and Site Plan', received on 04 August 2014

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)

Application for Prior Approval for the change of use of the first and second floor of the building from B1 (a) offices to C3 (Dwelling houses) in the form of 16 studios/apartments with entrances at ground and lower ground floor level and parking to the rear.

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Development Management tabled at the meeting.
• The comments of Crowthorne Parish Council.
• 14 objections raising concerns around an increase in traffic, conflict between pedestrians and vehicles, insufficient parking, noise and disturbance and overlooking. One letter of support has also been received.

Upon being put to the vote it was RESOLVED that Prior Approval be REFUSED.

REASON: It has not been demonstrated that the proposal complies with the Local Planning Authority’s standards in respect of vehicle parking and cycle parking. This would be likely to encourage on-street parking and therefore have a detrimental impact upon road safety and the flow of traffic. The proposal does not therefore comply with Class J of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order. (as amended).

A presentation from Berkshire’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Paul Southernon.

A presentation was delivered by Paul Southern, Dave Phillips and Chris Bunyan of the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS).

The following points were made:

• RBFRS were entering a comprehensive spending review which was likely to affect the emergency cover provision across Berkshire, this would include Bracknell Forest. This created an opportunity to ‘design out’ the risk of fire at the pre-construction stage. This was particularly poignant as Bracknell Forest was currently undergoing a significant phase of development.
• RBFRS officers were keen to encourage officers, councillors and developers to start an early dialogue with RBFRS to allow the design of any new/refurbished buildings to include fire suppression systems. In addition, to fit fire suppression systems in premises housing vulnerable people.
• In an ideal world, all buildings would be fitted with sprinkler systems. Sprinkler systems reduced death and injury from fire, reduced risk to fire fighters, protected property and heritage, reduced the effects of arson, reduced the environmental impact of fire and permitted design freedoms that encouraged innovative, inclusive and sustainable architecture.

The Committee agreed that a discussion with Planning Officers would be necessary to ascertain the extent to which fire suppression systems could be built into the Planning process if at all. Building Regulations and costs would also need to be explored further to establish feasibility.

It was noted that the cost of installing sprinkler systems could be cost neutral in new builds as often these systems reduced the need for fire escape stairwells.

RBFRS officers agreed to provide the Committee with costs of maintaining sprinkler systems.   

A presentation from the Head of Development Management to outline the main changes proposed to planning regulations set out in two current Government Consultations. The Consultations have previously been circulated to Members.

The Head of Development Management delivered a presentation outlining the main changes proposed to planning regulations set out in three current Government consultations. The Consultations centred on:

• Delivering Sustainable Drainage Systems (closing date: 21 October 2014)
• Planning and Travellers
• Housing Standards (closing date: early November 2014)

Each consultation had been previously circulated to Members and Members were asked to feed in their comments to the Head of Development Management before each consultation closed.