Present: Councillor Livingston (Chair); Councillors Brock, Duveen, Hacker, Hopper, Page, Pearce, Robinson, Singh and R Williams. Apologies: Councillors Ballsdon, Gavin and J Williams. At the beginning of the meeting, in accordance with Article 7.8 of the Constitution, the Chair reported that, following the resignation of Councillor Lawrence and the subsequent election of Councillor Brock at a by-election on 21 July 2016, the Monitoring Officer had exercised his delegated authority to fill the vacancy on the Planning Applications Committee caused by Councillor Lawrence s resignation, and had appointed Councillor Brock to the Committee to replace Councillor Lawrence, on the recommendation of the relevant Group Leader, Councillor Lovelock. 24. MINUTES RESOLVED ITEMS The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2016 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 25. SITE VISITS The Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted, at the meeting, a schedule of applications to be considered at future meetings of the Committee to enable Councillors to decide which sites, if any, they wished to visit prior to determining the relevant applications. Resolved - (1) That the under-mentioned applications, together with any additional applications which the Head of Planning, Development and Regulatory Service might consider appropriate, be the subject of unaccompanied site visits: 161205 & 161206 187-189 & 191 KINGS ROAD 161205 - Change of use of 187-189 Kings Rd from office (Class B1) to 26 student units (Sui Generis); Erection of 5-storey building to rear of 187-189 to create 35 student units (involving the reduction from 20 to 1 on- site parking space); Erection of single storey roof extension and 2- storey front extension at 191 Kings Rd to increase number of student units from 72 to 89, along with associated external alterations and landscaping (total increase of 78 student units from 72 to 150). 161206 - Internal and external alterations associated with change of use of 187-189 Kings Rd from office (Class B1) to 26 student units (Sui Generis) and associated works. 161390 LAND AT CONWY CLOSE, TILEHURST Residential development comprising 57 dwellings, vehicular, cycle and pedestrian 1
access, parking, and hard and soft landscaping and open space at land off Conwy Close. (2) That it be noted that, as previously agreed, the under-mentioned applications would be the subject of accompanied site visits: 161182 ST PATRICK S HALL, 20 NORTHCOURT AVENUE Demolition of St Patrick's Hall of residence buildings, the Northcourt reception/bar building and university residences at 1, 2, 3 & 4 Sherfield Drive and the construction of residences for students, a cafeteria/bar, bin and bike stores, substation and energy centre, together with a new access link and landscaping. Minor alterations to elevations of existing office building. 160199 LAND AT MADEJSKI STADIUM SHOOTERS WAY Outline application for residential development (Blocks 1-6 only) to provide up to 430 residential units, comprising predominantly 1 and 2 bedroom apartments (Use Class C3) along with associated landscaping and car parking. And application for residential and mixed use development comprising: 203 residential units, convention centre and ice rink, 246 bedroom hotel and up to 102 serviced apartments, decked car parking within convention centre, flexible ancillary retail space, multi storey car park, public open space, associated access, landscaping, cycle parking, transport interchange and related infrastructure/engineering works, ancillary facilities, access. 26. PLANNING APPEALS (i) New Appeals The Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted a schedule giving details of notification received from the Planning Inspectorate regarding four planning appeals, the method of determination for which she had already expressed a preference in accordance with delegated powers, which was attached as Appendix 1 to the report. (ii) Appeals Recently Determined The Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted details of four decisions that had been made by the Secretary of State, or by an Inspector appointed for the purpose, which were attached as Appendix 2 to the report. (iii) Reports on Appeal Decisions The Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the following appeal decision in Appendix 3: 152138 WELLS HALL, UPPER REDLANDS ROAD Application for approval of reserved matters (Appearance and Scale only) relating to Plots 23, 24, 25 and 26 following outline approval 12/01008/OUT (121820) as varied by permission 140858/VAR. 2
Written representations. Appeal dismissed. Resolved (1) That the new appeals, as set out in Appendix 1, be noted; (2) That the outcome of the recently determined appeals, as set out in Appendix 2, be noted; (3) That the report on the appeal decision set out in Appendix 3 be noted. 27. APPLICATIONS FOR PRIOR APPROVAL The Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report giving details in Table 1 of 19 pending prior approval applications, and in Table 2 of 21 applications for prior approval decided between 5 July and 19 August 2016. Resolved That the report be noted. 28. OBJECTION TO A TREE PRESERVATION ORDER AT CHARLOTTE CLOSE, OFF KIDMORE ROAD The Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on an objection to Tree Preservation Order (TPO) No. 11/16 relating to Charlotte Close. A copy of the TPO plan was attached to the report at Appendix 1. Pictures supporting the objection were attached at Appendix 2. The report explained that, during the development of Charlotte Close (110-118 Kidmore Road) approximately eight years previously, landscaping had been secured which had included the planting of a number of trees. Following establishment of landscaping on new developments, as and when officers had capacity, TPOs were considered in order to ensure the long term retention of new trees. The new trees had been assessed for current and future potential for public amenity and a TPO had been served on 31 May 2016 to protect four trees, including a young Scots pine (T2), adjacent to 116 Kidmore Road. An objection to the inclusion of the Scots pine tree (T2) in the TPO had been made by a resident of 116 Kidmore Road, details of which were set out in the report, along with officers comments on the objection. The report concluded that officers felt that there was currently no reason to omit the pine tree from the TPO and recommended that the TPO be confirmed with the inclusion of the tree. Resolved - That the Tree Preservation Order be confirmed with the inclusion of the T2 pine. 3
29. PLANNING APPLICATIONS The Committee considered reports by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services. Resolved (1) That, subject to the conditions now approved, permission be granted under planning legislation and, where appropriate, under the Advertisement Regulations, as follows: 151959/FUL 10 BAKER STREET Proposed conversion of two storey building from A1 (shop) to form two one-bed flats at ground floor and one two-bed flat at first floor (C3). An update report was tabled at the meeting which explained that a revised elevation plan had been submitted (attached to the update report), gave details of the changes and recommended the amendment of Condition 2 accordingly. It was also reported at the meeting that a streetscene drawing had now been provided. Granted as recommended. Conditional planning permission and informatives as recommended, with Condition 2 amended as recommended in the update report. Additional informative regarding the applicant s responsibility for informing potential purchasers or tenants about the no parking permits condition. Details of the materials (Condition 3) to be approved in consultation with Ward Councillors and the Baker Street Area Neighbourhood Association. Comments and objections received and considered. Objector Anthony Ihringer, and Jeff Asemi on behalf of the applicant, attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this application. 160783/FUL 9 WEST STREET Change of Use of the premises from a Hair and Beauty Use (Mixed A1 Retail and Sui Generis) to Tanning Salon on the First Floor and Adult Gaming Centre on the Ground Floor (Sui Generis). Granted as recommended. Conditional planning permission and informatives as recommended, with Condition 3 amended to make the opening hours from 09.00hrs 22.00hrs Monday to Sunday. Comments received and considered. 161411/CLP C6 ACRE BUSINESS PARK, ACRE ROAD Lawful Development Certificate for Proposed Use of the existing light industrial (B1c) unit. 4
Certificate granted as recommended. Informative as recommended. 161217/FUL M4 JUNCTION 11, A33 RELIEF ROAD Installation of 17.5 metre high 'Phase 5' monopole telecommunications mast and ground level equipment cabinet, and associated development. Removal of existing 15 metre high monopole. Granted as recommended. Conditional planning permission and informatives as recommended. Comments received and considered. (2) That, subject to the requirements indicated, the Head of Planning, Development and Regulatory Services be authorised to determine the following applications under planning legislation: 161168/FUL 1 DERBY ROAD, CAVERSHAM Change of use from physiotherapy clinic and residential to day school, ancillary to existing school at 14A-16 Peppard Road. An update report was tabled at the meeting which stated that a satisfactory layout plan had now been received, which was appended to the report. It also gave details of further objections received and officer comments on these. The recommendation had been amended accordingly to remove the requirement for submission of a layout plan and the report proposed amendments to, and additional, conditions. The issue of planning permission to be dependent on the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement by 23 September 2016 (unless a later date be agreed by the Head of Planning, Development and Regulatory Services), to secure the Heads of Terms set out in the original report. In the event of the requirements set out not being met, the Head of Planning, Development and Regulatory Services be authorised to refuse permission. Conditional planning permission and informatives as recommended in the original report, with amendments to, and additional, conditions as set out in the update report, with the second additional condition to be amended to: No before or after school clubs or any other clubs of any sort shall be held in the proposed dining room as identified on the approved layout plan received on 7 September 2016. Comments and objections received and considered. (3) That, pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992, the carrying out of the following developments be authorised, subject to the conditions now specified: 5
161210/REG3 34 CIRCUIT LANE 2 storey side extension. An update report was tabled at the meeting giving details of an objection received. Conditional planning permission and informatives as recommended. Additional informative to remind contractors to comply with the ban on verge parking in the area. Comments and objections received and considered. (4) That the following observations be made to the statutory bodies in question in respect of the under-mentioned proposals referred to the Council for consultation purposes: 161054/ADJ BURGHFIELD SAILING CLUB, HANGAR ROAD, SULHAMSTEAD Outline planning application for a residential development of up to 225 homes with associated infrastructure including flood alleviation works, drainage works, new buildings to house sailing facilities with associated access and parking, works to the bridge over the Kennet and Avon Canal, means of access, footways, amenity green space, landscaping and other related works. All matters reserved except access. That, subject to the condition below, West Berkshire Council be informed that Reading Borough Council objected to the proposal on the grounds that it had not been adequately demonstrated that there would be no adverse flood effects on Reading Borough. That, if the objections submitted by the Environment Agency on flood risk grounds were satisfactorily addressed, the objection be withdrawn. That West Berkshire Council be sent a copy of the report for their information and use. 161167/ADJ WEST OF THAMES VALLEY PARK DRIVE, THAMES VALLEY PARK Full application for the proposed development of a Park and Ride facility providing approximately 277 vehicular spaces, motorcycle parking and associated vehicular access and landscaping. An update report was tabled at the meeting that gave details of further objections and a petition against the application which had been received, as well as further information received supporting the applicant s Transport Statement. That Wokingham Borough Council be informed that Reading Borough Council raised no objections to the application. That Wokingham Borough Council be sent a copy of the report, the petition and all comments received for their information and use. Objectors Linda Trenchard, Pat Rapley and Colm Daly, and Ward Councillor Rob 6
White, attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on this application. 30. LINDA FORT - RETIREMENT At the end of the meeting, the Committee recorded its thanks to journalist Linda Fort, from GetReading, for her professional and dedicated reporting of local authority meetings over many years, on the occasion of her retirement. (The meeting started at 6.30 pm and closed at 7.55 pm). 7