Councillors convened at the Travel Lodge Tothill Service Area to become familiar with the site prior to considering planning applications at the village hall.

The 30 Metre wide woodland planting strip had not been planted and should be enforced before the extension proceeded. Trees planted needed to be deer and rabbit proof. Councillors commented that a car parking survey had been carried out in winter which was not indicative of the true picture as most use was in the summer.

BDB/47410 Travel Lodge Tothill Service Area

Repositioning of existing wall mounted sign

NO OBJECTION

BDB/47636 Woodside, Pantings Lane, Highclere

Demolish existing house and erect three new houses

STRONG OBJECTION

This planning application would result in unsatisfactory building relationships with the adjoining properties to the detriment of the amenities and privacy which the occupants thereof might reasonably expect to enjoy.

This property abuts "Halfacre" where three recent planning applications refs BDB47307, 46611, and 45701 have been refused.

Thames Vale have produced a "Design Statement for Woodside" which is misleading. It states that the plots are of comparable size to the surrounding properties but makes no reference to the fact that the surrounding properties are all small bungalows. The existing house at Woodside is well screened by large hedges and so far away from neighbouring bungalows that it does not impose upon them. The houses proposed for plots 1 and plot 3 should have low roof lines to be more sympathetic in scale and character with the surrounding bungalows. In particular the house proposed for plot 1 is a large executive 5 Bedroomed house and the height of this proposed house is out of character with the rest of the near developments in Tubbs Lane. The developer's statement that "Plot 1 represents the same form of development already present and fronting on to Tubbs Lane" is a reference to property built by this same developer on the "Byeways" site (BDB42317), against which there was strong objection. The council felt that this should not form a precedent.

The Council also objects to the proposed driveway for plot no 1 being opened on to Tubbs Lane which would be directly in line with the entrance to the house opposite. This is a very narrow lane and other house entrances are staggered. There was concern that the developer had been able to chop down exiting trees on this boundary not all of which appeared diseased. Their plan shows a driveway so close to Sunnyholm that it will probably necessitate removing the boundary hedge, a matter on which they had already corresponded with the owner Mr Reid. The council required that all boundary hedges remain and are not replaced with hoarding. It is however in order that hedges are trimmed and managed with the neighbours' consent, and after the bird nesting season. It was also noted that in Pantings Lane, houses are screened by hedges and driveways are set to the side of the properties. The proposed plot 2 shows the house and driveway in-line where the hedge cannot screen the property.

No existing driveway entrance should be widened nor repositioned, and any new entrance to plot 1 should be made with minimal hedge removal.

If the application succeeds the council requests that conditions are imposed as to size of lorries and equipment used on site. The lanes are very narrow at this location and large lorries will be unable to maneuver the bend. Large lorries and equipment will cause damage to hedges and trees both on this site and neighbouring property. Extreme care must be exercised so as not to damage electricity and phone cables. No work should commence before 0800 nor deliveries made to site before 0800. No vehicles should drive across nor park on the grass verges in either Tubbs Lane or Pantings Lane. If possible contractors and labourers should be collected in one vehicle and conveyed to site to reduce the number of vehicles present. At all times there must be room for emergency services to pass along the lanes.

The following applications received too late to be itemised on the agenda were also considered.

BDB/47511 Plot A, Land Adjacent Westfield House, Westridge, Highclere

Change of house type to incorporate a conservatory.

NO OBJECTION SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS

Conservatory framing should be the same material and finish as the window frames.

BDB/47641 Land Adjacent Beech Tree Cottage, Tubbs Lane, Highclere

Erection of a single dwelling

NO OBJECTION SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS

Details of altered existing access to be received and approved first. The existing access should not be widened nor hedgerow removed. Colour of bricks and roofing to be submitted and approved. Roof height (not indicated) should be in keeping with adjacent properties.

It was also commented that the roof over doorway and garage was not sympathetic to properties in immediate area on the same side of the road.

BDB/47115 Old Brick Cottage, Tubbs Lane, Highclere

Erection of conservatory and conversion of room over garage

BDB/47299 24 Penwood Heights, Penwood, Burghcere

Renewal of full planning permission.

BDB/47191 Curridge Car Sales, Andover Road, Wash Water

Renewal Erection of extension to form new showroom

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING WAS BROUGHT TO A CLOSE