Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 July 2015.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 July 2015 be approved 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.

Erection of a detached 2-storey dwelling with associated garages, following the demolition of the existing buildings.

Erection of a detached 2-storey dwelling with associated garages, following the demolition of the existing buildings.

A site visit had been held on Saturday 15 August 2015 which had been attended by Councillors Angell, Mrs Angell, Brossard, Dudley, Finnie, Mrs Hayes, Hill, Ms Peacey and Thompson.

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Planning tabled at the meeting which included a summary of comments on the officer report from the residents of No. 25 Prince Consort Drive.
• Winkfield Parish Council had recommended refusal for the reasons that the development would be unacceptable in the Green Belt, it would not preserve the trees on the site and would result in a loss of amenity to the neighbouring properties (application subsequently amended).
• Letters of objection received from five neighbouring residential properties, in relation to both the original and amended plans, summarised as follows:

- The size of the proposed dwelling would be unacceptable and would dwarf the neighbouring properties.

- The development would result in an unacceptable loss of light to No.25 Prince Consort Drive.

- The development would result in an unduly overbearing effect on the private amenity area at the rear of No.25 Prince Consort Drive due to its set back within the plot.

- The development would result in an unacceptable loss of privacy to the rear of No.25 Prince Consort Drive, through a side facing en suite window and a balcony. Concerns have also been raised with regard to the impact of the balcony on No.26.

- The dwelling would be set well back into the site relative to the footprint of the existing house, and would be further from the road than any other house in the neighbourhood, and inappropriate staggering of alignment that would be particularly prominent from No.25.

- The width of the plot does not comfortably accommodate the development.

- The amendments would not make any tangible difference to the impact of the development on No.25 Prince Consort Drive.

- None of the concerns of the neighbours have been accommodated in the amended plans.

- More detailed concerns in response to the assessment of the application with regard to the size and bulk of the dwelling, the position of the building within the site and the effect on residential amenity through loss of light and overbearing.

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.   

02.     The development hereby permitted shall be carried out only in accordance with the following approved plans received by the Local Planning Authority on 16th July 2015:       

          P14/19/S/101 (Rev C)    

          P14/19/S/110 (Rev A)    

03.     No development shall take place until samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development shall be carried out in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Erection of 5no. 5 bedroom dwellings with new access off Murrell Hill Lane with associated parking and new garage to Murrell Cottage.

Erection of 5no. 5 bedroom dwellings with new access off Murrell Hill Lane with associated parking and new garage to Murrell Cottage.

A site visit had been held on Saturday 15 August 2015 which had been attended by Councillors Angell, Mrs Angell, D Birch, Brossard, Dudley, Finnie, Mrs Hayes, Hill, Ms Peacey and Thompson.

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Planning tabled at the meeting.
• Binfield Parish Council had recommended refusal since the site was outside the settlement boundary.
• A letter of objection from a local resident expressing the following concerns:

    - the land is outside the settlement boundary

- the development, and in particular the extra vehicles from these houses which will have to use this part of Murrell Hill Lane, will disturb the use of the recognised and very well used rural route along Murrell Hill Lane from Pope's Meadow because the exit from Pope's Meadow is immediately next to the entrance to the land.

- the extra traffic from the development will be a very significant danger to the many walkers who use this rural route

- this development is out of character and will disturb the use of the land next to it, Pope's Meadow, an open green peaceful area used by many people.

As the Council was unable to demonstrate a 5 year supply of land for housing, the application had to be considered in relation to the presumption in favour of sustainable development.  The Committee considered an assessment of the economic, social and environmental benefits of the proposal against any harm that might arise from it.

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

01.       Measures to avoid and mitigate the impact of residential development upon the Thames Basins Heath Special Protection Area (SPA).

That the Head of Planning 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.   

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

          2208/01A received 23.06.15.      

          2208/02 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/03 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/04 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/05 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/06 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/07 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/08 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/09 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/10 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/11 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/12 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/13 received 05.03.15.        

          2208/14 Location Plan received 05.03.15.         

          6111-SK-001-A Site Access received 05.03.15.

Energy Statement received 05.03.15

Amended Arboricultural Impact Assessment received 23.06.15.

Amended Tree Report received 23.06.15.

Amended Surface Water Drainage Strategy received 23.06.15.

03.     No development shall take place until samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

04.     The development hereby permitted shall not be begun until details showing the finished floor levels  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

Erection of 2no 3 bed semi-detached dwellings with car parking.

Erection of 2no 3 bed semi-detached dwellings with car parking.

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Planning tabled at the meeting.
• Winkfield Parish Council objected to the proposal for the following reasons:

- Over development on an unsuitable site for housing

- The proposed 'tarmac' parking area would be impermeable and would affect trees behind the site and drainage

- Deliveries to the shops would be adversely affect the access and egress to the houses

- The development would cause damage to the badger and newt population.

·         7 representations from different addresses have been received objecting to the proposal on the following grounds:

- There has been too much development in recent times without increasing local amenities. The local infants and junior schools and GP surgery are all at capacity.

- Proposal would result in conflicts between cars and service vehicles throughout the day.

- The land is used as a soakaway for the 6 flats and shops - has this been checked

- Parking in the area is already a problem

- The access road is not within the ownership of the applicant who only has a right of access on the service road and therefore the plans are misleading

- Disruption and noise from the building work

- Could the new houses overlook our garden?

- Access is too narrow and often blocked by lorries and cannot support further traffic.

- Proposal could result in traffic waiting within the highway to enter the site.

- Development could negatively impact on the local businesses and is considered to be unneighbourly

- Development would have a negative impact upon protected wildlife and ecology in the area.

- Restaurants within close proximity to the flats expel odours resulting in an unpleasant living environment.

- Waste bins used by the businesses are left on the access road as there is no where else to put them. The position of these has not been taken into account by the applicant.

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

01.       Measures to avoid and mitigate the impact of residential development upon the Thames Basins Heath Special Protection Area (SPA).

That the Head of Planning 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.   

02.    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out only in accordance with the following approved plans received by the Local Planning Authority: 

Site location plan (received 09.07.2015) 

1B (Plans and elevations) received 12.08.2015

2A (Block Plan) received 09.07.2015     

03.     No development shall take place until samples of the materials to be used in the construction of the external surfaces of the development hereby permitted have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.  The development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details.     

04.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

Display of 3no. illuminated fascia signs, 1no. illuminated wall-mounted sign, 2no. illuminated free-standing signs, 3no. non-illuminated free-standing signs, and 3no. flag pole signs.

Display of 3no. illuminated fascia signs, 1no. illuminated wall-mounted sign, 2no. illuminated free-standing signs, 3no. non-illuminated free-standing signs, and 3no. flag pole signs.

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Planning tabled at the meeting.
• WinkfieldParish Council objected to the initially submitted proposal on the grounds that the proposed siting of the signage close to the highway of London Road would result in an adverse impact on highway safety, and the illuminated signage would be out of character with the surrounding area.  (The application was amended so that no signs were sited on the highway verge).
• An objection received from the occupant of 7 Prince Consort Drive to the initially submitted proposal on the grounds that it would result in an adverse impact on highway safety and the proposed flag signage would be out of character in the street scene.
• An objection from the occupant of 11 Wareham Road, Bracknell, on the grounds that the proposal would result in an intensification of the number of advertisements present on site, to the detriment of the character and visual amenity of the surrounding area.

RESOLVED that ADVERTISEMENT CONSENT be granted subject to the following condition(s):-

01.     No advertisement is to be displayed without the permission of the owner of the site or any other person with an interest in the site entitled to grant permission.

02.     No advertisement shall be sited or displayed so as to:   

          (a) endanger persons using any highway, railway, waterway, dock, harbour or aerodrome (civil or military);  

          (b) obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any traffic sign, railway signal or aid to navigation by water or air; or     

          (c) hinder the operation of any device used for the purpose of security or surveillance or for measuring the speed of any vehicle.

03.     Any advertisement displayed, and any site used for the display of advertisements, shall be maintained in a condition that does not impair the visual amenity of the site.

04.     Any structure or hoarding erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying advertisements shall be maintained in a condition that does not endanger the public.

05.     Where an advertisement is required under these Regulations to be removed, the site shall be left in a condition that does not endanger the public or impair visual amenity.   

06.     The advertisement hereby granted consent shall be displayed in accordance with the following approved plans received by the Local Planning Authority:

          Block Plan [Amended] scale 1:500 received on 22 July 2015   

          '22265v01 Issue 3 Page 2 of 6' received on 25 May 2015        

07.     The illumination level of the illuminated advertisements hereby granted consent shall not exceed 400 cd/sqm.   

Erection of a single storey side extension, two storey rear extension and a rear dormer following demolition of existing two storey rear extension.

Erection of a single storey side extension, two storey rear extension and a rear dormer following demolition of existing two storey rear extension

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Planning tabled at the meeting.
• Crowthorne Parish Council recommend approval of the application.
• Four letters of objection received from neighbouring residential properties, summarised as follows:

- The development would result in an unacceptable loss of privacy to the side and rear of No.25 Brookers Corner, and would overshadow the rear of that property.

- Limited on street parking is available, and the property has no off street parking.

- The development would be out of keeping with the streetscene and too close to No.25.

- The proposed wood cladding on the extension would not be in keeping with the streetscene.

- The plans are incorrect as they show a walkway between the side element and the boundary. In reality no such gap exists.

- Concerns about damage to No.21 Brookers Corner, and noise and disturbance to that property.

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.   

02.     The development hereby permitted shall be carried out only in accordance with the following approved plans received by the Local Planning Authority on 4th June 2015 and 22nd July 2015:

          1506/101 

          1506/120 (A)       

          1506/121 (A)       

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

04.     The first floor en suite and bathroom windows in the east facing side elevation of the extension hereby permitted and the first floor study window in the east facing side elevation of the existing dwelling shall not be glazed at any time other than with a minimum of Pilkington Level 3 obscure glass (or equivalent). They shall at all times be fixed shut up to a height of 1.7m from the floor level.

05.     Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (or any Order revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification) no additional windows, similar openings or enlargement thereof shall be constructed at first floor level or above in the east facing side elevation of the extension hereby permitted except for any which may be shown on the approved drawing(s).       

Erection of 8 no. fishing yurts and timber platforms with ancillary facilities blocks, reception block and improvements to existing access road and car park.

Erection of 8 no. fishing yurts and timber platforms with ancillary facilities blocks, reception block and improvements to existing access road and car park.

A site visit had been held on Saturday 15 August 2015 which had been attended by Councillors D Birch, Brossard, Dudley, Finnie, Mrs Hayes, Hill, Ms Peacey and Thompson.

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Planning tabled at the meeting.
• Sandhurst Town Council’s objections to the proposals on the following grounds:

- The mass and scale of the proposed yurts creates a visual impact

- The siting of the reception block and extended carpark in close proximity to the boundary is detrimental to the resident's privacy and amenity.

- Should the application be granted then a condition is requested ensuring that a public right of way is installed along the River Blackwater.

• 12 objections received objecting to the proposal on the following grounds:

- The planning proposal would be a complete change of use to an unregulated campsite

- Proposal would be contrary to Policy EN10 as the proposal would harm the open, rural or undeveloped character of this site.

- The proposal would be detrimental to the amenities of the residents of Belfry Mews.

- Additional traffic and people visiting the site will generate additional noise and nuisance

- The proposed reception block will become a gathering point and as a result will become a centre of noise and nuisance. The reception block should be moved away from the boundary with the properties on Belfry Mews. (Officer Comment: revised plans have been received amending the siting of this block)

- This proposal if approved may contravene legislation to protect noise and nuisance.

- The existing car park is already oversubscribed with 25-30 vehicles parked there at the weekends.

- Fishermen urinate around the car park in view of the properties.

- Currently there is no height/weight restriction in place allowing for large commercial vehicles to enter the site. 

- No mention has been made of waste or recycling facilities

- Blackwater Valley is a protected conservation area for wildlife and this application will have detrimental effect on the protection and enhancements of wildlife.

- Proposal is located within Flood Zones 2 and 3 which could adversely affect adjacent areas.

- The yurts will reduce the swims available for existing users of the club.

- Opening up the footpath will reduce the security of the site.

- No restrictions on the fishing lakes are being proposed. 

- The current site is not adequately managed at the moment so why should this application change things?

- The amended reception block position does not overcome initial concerns raised.

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.   

02.     The development hereby permitted shall be carried out only in accordance with the following approved plans and other submitted details received by the Local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

Conversion of existing grass verge into a lay-by providing 3no. parking spaces.

Conversion of existing grass verge into a lay-by providing 3no. parking spaces.

The Committee noted:

• The supplementary report of the Head of Planning tabled at the meeting.
• Warfield Parish Council raised no objection to the proposal, subject to the provision of adequate root protection.

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.               

02.     The development hereby permitted shall be carried out only in accordance with the following approved plans received by the Local Planning Authority:

          4817 327 'Hoffman Close' received on 20 July 2015    

          4817 327L 'Hoffman Close - Tree protection details' received on 29 July 2015           

03.     The development shall not be begun until a scheme depicting hard and soft landscaping, including the provision of knee-rail fencing and the proposed maximum heights of planting, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall include a 3 year post planting maintenance schedule.   

          All planting comprised in the soft landscaping works shall be carried out and completed in full accordance with the approved scheme, in the nearest planting season (1st October to 31st March inclusive) to the completion of the development or prior to the occupation of any part of the approved development, whichever is sooner. All hard landscaping works shall be carried and completed prior to the occupation of any part of the approved development. As a minimum, the quality of all hard and soft landscape works shall be carried out in accordance with British Standard 4428:1989 'Code Of practice For General Landscape Operations' or any subsequent revision. All trees and other plants included within the approved details shall be healthy, well-formed specimens of a minimum quality that is compatible with British Standard 3936:1992 (Part 1) 'Specifications For Trees & Shrubs' and British Standard 4043 (where applicable) or any subsequent revision.  Any trees or other plants which within a period of 5 years from the completion of the development, die, are removed, uprooted, are significantly damaged, become diseased or deformed, shall be replaced during the nearest planting season (1st October to 31st March inclusive) with others of the same size, species and quality as approved.

04.    The tree protection measures shall be carried out in accordance with approved plan 4817 327L 'Hoffman Close - Tree protection details' , received by the Local Planning Authority on 29 July 2015 . The protection measures shall be maintained fully intact and (in the case of the fencing) upright, in its approved locations at all times, until the completion of all building operations on the site (unless agreed otherwise in writing by the Local Planning Authority). No activity of any description must occur at any time within these protected areas including but not restricted to the following: -

a) No mixing of cement or any other materials.

b) Storage or disposal of any soil, building materials, rubble, machinery, fuel, chemicals, liquids waste residues or materials/debris  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

Application for prior approval for the installation of 2 no. photovoltaics (PV) solar arrays on sports block roofs, one consisting of 136 no. frame mounted panes and other consisting of 56 no. frame mounted panels.

Application for prior approval for the installation of 2 no. photovoltaics (PV) solar arrays on sports block roofs, one consisting of 136 no. frame mounted panes and other consisting of 56 no. frame mounted panels.

The Committee noted there was no objection from Bracknell Town Council and no neighbour representations received.

RESOLVED that Prior approval for the Solar Panels is not required.