Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 December 2015.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 December 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.

Councillor Thompson declared an interest in Item 6: PS Application 15/01137/T Unit 7, Forest Park Business Units, 22 Horndean Road, Bracknell as a trustee of Age Concern and advised that he would be leaving the room for this item.

Councillors Mrs Hayes and Mrs Mattick also declared an interest in Item 6 as members of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education.

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.

Demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment to form 51 Assisted Living apartments (C2 use) for frail older persons including communal facilities, parking provision and associated landscaping. 

Demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment to form 51 Assisted Living apartments (C2 use) for frail older persons including communal facilities, parking provision and associated landscaping.

A site visit had been held on Saturday 16 January 2016 which had been attended by Councillors Brossard, Dudley, Finnie, Mrs Ingham, Mrs McKenzie, Mrs McKenzie-Boyle, Peacey, Phillips and Thompson.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda papers and deferred to the next meeting of the Committee.

Change of use of an existing office (Class B1A) to a place of worship (Class D1).

Change of use of an existing office (Class B1A) to a place of worship (Class D1).

A site visit had been held on Saturday 16 January 2016 which had been attended by Councillors Brossard, Dudley, Finnie, Mrs Ingham, Mrs Mattick, Mrs McKenzie, Mrs McKenzie-Boyle, Peacey, Phillips and Thompson.

Councillor Thompson declared an interest in this item as a trustee of Age Concern and left the room for this item.

The Committee noted:

·         The supplementary report of the Head of Planning tabled at the meeting.

·         The comments of Winkfield Parish Council

·         28 letters of objection received from 23 different properties, which were summarised as follows:

-              Unsociable hours of worship will create noise and disturbance to nearby residential properties

-               Traffic implications for Savernake Road

-               Proximity to public house

-               Facility should be within the town centre or on the edge of an estate

-               Area already busy enough

-               2 years is not a temporary period

-               If the community of the church grows the area will become even busier

-               Disturbance to residential properties from traffic noise

-               Frequent comings and goings would be disruptive to adjacent businesses

-               Insufficient parking

-               Office premises is unsuitable for proposed facility

-              Developments in Bracknell should benefit everyone, not just a religious minority

-              Not adequate need for a new mosque [officer note: a mosque is not proposed. The application is for the change of use of an existing office unit]

-              Security risks to other business units through people accessing the building out of normal office hours

-              Concerns that other business uses would have to amend their normal practices to avoid disturbing other during prayers or contemplation

-               Community centre would be more appropriate

-               Times of worship could clash with activities at the community centre

-              The proposal could lead to activities such as weddings and fundraisers in the unit [officer note: the proposal is for a place of worship only and weddings etc would not be licensed on the premises]

-               Potential for vandalism if the security gates are opened in the night

-               Potential antisocial behaviour

-               Health and safety concerns

-               Pedestrian safety concerns

The Committee agreed an amendment to the additional condition detailed on the supplementary report as follows:

The use hereby permitted shall not be occupied outside the following times or on Public Holidays:

(a)  07.00 hours to 23.00 hours Monday to Saturday and

(b)  08.00 hours to 23.00 hours Sundays.  

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

01.  The use hereby permitted shall be discontinued on or before two years from the date of this permission.

REASON: To allow the Local Planning Authority to retain the original use of the building once the place of worship use ceases.

02.  The use hereby permitted shall be carried on only by the Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society and when the premises cease to be occupied by the Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

Erection of part two storey, part single storey front and side extensions and formation of basement, following demolition of front and side elements of the dwelling (part retrospective).

Erection of part two storey, part single storey front and side extensions and formation of basement, following demolition of front and side elements of the dwelling (part retrospective).

A site visit had been held on Saturday 16 January 2016 which had been attended by Councillors Brossard, Dudley, Finnie, Mrs Ingham, Mrs Mattick, Mrs McKenzie, Mrs McKenzie-Boyle, Peacey, Phillips and Thompson.

The Committee noted:

·         The comments of Winkfield Parish Council

·         Six representations from neighbouring properties:

(i) The initially submitted plans did not reflect the actual development taking place in respect of demolition works occurring. [Officer Comment: see section 5.6 of the report].

(ii) There are concerns regarding the impact of the development on protected trees present on site, however no overall objection has been raised to this. [Officer Comment: The impact of the development on these trees is assessed in the report below].

(iii) There are concerns over the noise that would be generated through construction work, including the movement of construction vehicles. [Officer Comment: Such activity is subject to separate Environmental Health legislation with regards to activity occurring during unsociable hours].

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

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

3171/401 ‘Proposed Floor Plans And Elevations’ received on 17 June 2015

3171/402 ‘Site & Location Plan’ received on 17 June 2015

3171/502 ‘Floor Plans As On Site’ received on 26 October 2015

3171/504 ‘Proposed Floor Plans’ received on 26 October 2015

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

02. 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: Core Strategy DPD CS7, BFBLP 'Saved' Policy EN20].

03. No development (including any additional site-clearance) shall continue until a detailed scheme for the protection of existing trees, hedgerows and groups of mature shrubs to be retained has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, in accordance with British Standard 5837:2012 'Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction - Recommendations'. Protection measures shall be phased as necessary to take into account and provide protection during demolition/site clearance works/building construction works/hard landscaping works.  Details shall include an approved development layout plan at a minimum scale of 1:200 and show the following:

a) Accurate trunk positions and canopy spreads of all existing trees within the site and on adjoining land adjacent to the development within influencing distance of the development.

b) Positions and spreads of existing hedgerows and groups of mature shrubs.

c) All proposed tree, hedge or shrub removal; shown clearly with a broken line. 

d) Proposed locations of protective barriers, that are a minimum height of 2.0 metres and supported by a metal scaffold  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

Conversion of existing garage into habitable accommodation, erection of a first floor extension, external alterations to enable sub-division of existing four bedroom dwelling to create 1no. three bedroom and 1no. two bedroom dwellings.

Conversion of existing garage into habitable accommodation, erection of a first floor extension, external alterations to enable sub-division of existing four bedroom dwelling to create 1no. three bedroom and 1no. two bedroom dwellings.

A site visit had been held on Saturday 16 January 2016 which had been attended by Councillors Brossard, Dudley, Finnie, Mrs Ingham, Mrs Mattick, Mrs McKenzie, Mrs McKenzie-Boyle, Peacey, Phillips and Thompson.

The Committee agreed that more information was needed around the dimensions of the area to the front of the proposed properties, to confirm that there would be sufficient room to provide two car parking spaces for each unit as well as sufficient access to the properties.

It was RESOLVED that the application be DEFERRED in order to provide more information to the Committee.

Change of use from storage and distribution (ClassB8) to research and development (Class B1b) and light industrial (class B1c) use. Installation of new mezzanine floor.

Change of use from storage and distribution (Class B8) to research and development (Class B1b) and light industrial (class B1c) use. Installation of new mezzanine floor.

The Committee noted:

·         The supplementary report of the Head of Planning tabled at the meeting.

·         12 letters of objections received from 11 different addresses, which can be summarised as follows:

-       Proposal does not accord with local policy in terms of being an appropriate

change of use in the Green Belt.

-       Impact on residential amenity of neighbouring properties in Prince Consort Drive.

Kings Ride Park was categorised as warehousing to eliminate impacts on neighbouring properties.

-       Increase in noise.

-       Potential exposure of residents to harmful substances as the proposed occupant

of the site manufactures diagnostic test kits for poultry and pigs. This has the potential to generate airborne emissions which could be harmful to residents. The Council should assess the risks involved to ensure the protection of residents. [Officer note: the applicant has confirmed that the business comprises working with inactivated viruses and bacteria and that these products are used all over the world, also in the UK, and no specific precautions need to be taken when working with these materials. The control of specific operations falls outside of planning].

-       No details of refuse collection or drainage

-       The fire brigade should be consulted to assess the risk of smoke or fire

-       The mezzanine should be removed once the current occupier vacates.

The criteria for public speaking had been met in respect of this application and the Committee was addressed by the registered speakers Mr McDougall, representing Kings Ride Residents Association and Mr Martin the applicant.

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 and documents received by the Local Planning Authority :

Site Plan (received 5 October 2015)

Initial Proposed Mezzanine, ref 1800.10 (received 26 October 2015)

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

03.  The number of employees working within Unit 5, Kings Ride Park, shall not exceed 40 at any one time.

REASON: In order to control the intensity of the use of the site in the interests of the rural character of the Green Belt, the amenities of local residents and to ensure that there is sufficient on-site parking in the interests of road safety.

[Relevant Plans and Policies: BFBLP EN25, GB4, M9]

04.  No construction work shall take place outside the hours of 08:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday; 08:00 and 13:00 Saturday and not at all on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Reason: To safeguard the amenities of the area and the occupiers of neighbouring properties

05.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114.

Erection of 5No. residential dwellings following the demolition of the existing buildings.

Erection of 5No. residential dwellings following the demolition of the existing buildings

The Committee noted:

·         The supplementary report of the Head of Planning tabled at the meeting.

·         The comments of Winkfield Parish Council

·         Six objections which raise the following concerns:

-       Proposal differs to previous application and therefore has impact on adjoining property and their privacy – the dwelling closest to the boundary with 108 Fernbank Road is no longer a garage but a two storey dwelling  closer to the boundary. This will be overbearing and overshadowing to no. 108 Fernbank Road and will affect light.

-       The boundary treatment between no. 108 Fernbank Road and the application site belongs to no. 108 therefore cannot be altered without negotiation.

-       Previous application approved on site should be implemented.

-       Area saturated with overdevelopment without the infrastructure to cope (GP surgeries and local schools).

-       Object to the access onto Fernbank Road, should use Gold Cup Lane instead for highway safety reasons.

-       Only 0.5m separating distance with neighbouring boundary, altering light, privacy and creating overshadowing/overbearing.

It was RESOLVED that following the completion of planning obligation(s) under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 relating to 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 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 received by the Local Planning Authority on 21 October 2015 and 13 January 2016:

            drawing no. P14/35/S/301 Rev A

            drawing no. P14/35/S/310

            drawing no. P14/35/S/320 Rev A

            drawing no. P14/35/S/330

            drawing no. P14/35/S/340

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

03.  No development shall take place until details 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.

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

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

04.  The first floor windows in the side elevations of plots 1 and 3 facing north hereby permitted 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 with the exception of a top hung openable fanlight.

            REASON: To prevent the overlooking of neighbouring properties.

            [Relevant Policies: BFBLP EN20]

05.  Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (or any Order revoking and/or re-enacting that Order with or without modification) no  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

The Committee is asked to approve the Confirmation of this Tree Preservation Order.

The Committee noted the report and the objections that had been raised by residents.

It was RESOLVED that the Committee approved the confirmation of Tree Preservation Order 1193, Land at 38 Isis Way, Sandhurst, GU47 9RD - 2015.

The Committee is asked to approve the Confirmation of this Tree Preservation Order.

The Committee noted the report and the responses and objections that had been raised by residents and a developer.

It was RESOLVED that the Committee approved the confirmation of Tree Preservation Order 1200, Land fronting London Road, and adjoining Allsmoor Lane - 2015.