To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Edward Wilson.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Cllr Alexander – Declared a personal interest in item 1 as several members of his family either attended or worked in some of the schools listed in the report. He confirmed he attended Panel with an open mind.

Cllr Bicknell – Declared a personal interest in item 1 as his son was the interim deputy head teach of Holyport College and Eton College sponsored Holyport College. He added his youngest son was a pupil at Trevelyan Middle School which was listed in the report for item 1. Councillor Bicknell confirmed he attended Panel with an open mind.

Cllr Bowden – Declared a personal interest in item 1 as he is a relative of a former employee of the Planning Consultants used by the applicant. He confirmed that he had never discussed the item with his relative and that he attended Panel with an open mind.

Cllr E. Wilson – Declared a personal interest in item 1 as his wife was employed at Holyport College which had a connection with Eton College. He confirmed he attended Panel with an open mind.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2018 be approved.

To consider the Head of Planning’s report on planning applications received.

Full details on all planning applications (including application forms, site plans, objections received, correspondence etc.) can be found by accessing the Planning Applications Public Access Module at http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/pam/search.jsp

18/02033*      Eton College: Construction of a new school sports centre comprising a 9-court sports hall capable of offering multipurpose indoor sports, x8 squash courts, general fitness spaces, an athlete development programme space including a sprint track, dojo space, physio spaces, classrooms and offices for PE staff and students, a triple height combing wall space, rifle range and associated plant, storage, WC and changing facilities. Construction of a new Eton Sports and Aquatics Centre comprising a 25m pool with movable floor suitable for swimming, water polo and teaching use, a 4-court sports hall capable of offering multi-purpose indoor sports and exam use, changing facilities, a spectator area at first floor level which also provides a meet-up space and refreshment point for post-match use, associated plant and storage provision, associated car and coach parking and new access track off Slough Road. Refurbishment and extension of the rackets courts building to provide a new clubroom and changing facilities. Refurbishment of fives courts, a new printmaking pavilion to house historic printing presses adjacent to Caxton Schools, following demolition of the existing buildings comprising the gymnasium, indoor swimming pool and the outdoor swimming pool complex (Amended Plans) at College Eton College, Slough Road, Eton, Windsor SL4 6DJ.

                     The Panel debated the item, and the recommendation put forward by officers. Whilst members felt that the officer had produced a high quality report considering the key matters well, it became clear through the debate that members felt that greater weight should be assigned to some of the very special circumstances advanced by the applicant.

                     In their recommendation officers had considered that the following weight should in their opinion be assigned to the very special of the case circumstances:

                      After debating the case, Members considered that greater weight should be afforded to the Very Special Circumstances case in the following areas:

1.    Need for college to upgrade and improve their existing indoor sports facilities to enable pupils to participate in full curriculum of sports, to ensure adequate recreation space for pupils and to ensure continued success of College in attracting pupils and delivering for their needs – Weight afforded should be increased to Very Significant.

2.    Community benefits from the proposed use of facilities by local schools and local residents – Weight afforded should be changed to Very Significant (This will be secured with a Legal Agreement).

3.    High Quality of the Design of the scheme – Weight afforded should be increased to moderate.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 216.