To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Luxton.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Councillor A. Tisi declared a conflict of interest with agenda item 5 as she was the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Windsor and the application was made by RBWM.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 4 January 2024 as a true and accurate record.

AGREED: That the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 4 January 2024 were a true and accurate record.

PROPOSAL: Part alteration and part demolition of the Eton College Gymnasium and Indoor Swimming Pool complex and refurbishment/redevelopment to provide a new Indoor Sports Centre including 6-court sports hall, 8 no. squash courts, Athletic Development Programme ('ADP') facility, fitness and physio suites, climbing wall, dojo, fencing salle and associated cafe, changing, teaching, office and storage facilities and retention of rifle range (revised details in respect of final phase of development permitted under planning permission 18/02033/FULL as varied by planning permissions 20/00160/VAR and 20/02972/VAR).

RECOMMENDATION: Permit

APPLICANT:  C/o Savills

MEMBER CALL-IN: N/A

EXPIRY DATE: 12 February 2024

A motion was proposed by Councillor J. Tisi to grant planning permission on the satisfactory completion of a Unilateral Undertaking to secure the carbon off set contribution set out in Section 10 of this report and with the conditions listed in Section 14 of this report. This was seconded by Councillor Da Costa.

A named vote was taken.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY: To grant planning permission on the satisfactory completion of a Unilateral Undertaking to secure the carbon off set contribution set out in Section 10 of this report and with the conditions listed in Section 14 of this report.

The Committee was addressed by one registered speaker. John Bowles, Applicant.

Councillor A. Tisi, The Chair, left the room at 7:26pm due to declaring a conflict of interest with the next item as she was the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Windsor. Councillor Wilson, Vice Chair, took over as Chair for the next item.

PROPOSAL: Single storey front/side extension, courtyard with new fence and gate and alterations to fenestration.

RECOMMENDATION: Permit

APPLICANT: Mr Smith

MEMBER CALL-IN: N/A

EXPIRY DATE: 16 January 2024

A motion was proposed by Councillor Sharpe to grant planning permission with the conditions listed in Section 14 of the report. This was seconded by Councillor Carpenter.

A named vote was taken.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY: To grant planning permission with the conditions listed in Section 14 of the report.

To note the contents of the report.

Councillor A. Tisi re-entered the room at 7:35pm following the completion of the previous agenda item.

Councillor Sharpe said he was surprised at the Ascentia House appeal decision and asked the Planning Team why the appeal was successful.

Jo Richards, Development Management Team Manager, explained that they had refused the initial application based on technical grounds as they believed that the proposed building exceeded height limits outlined in their interpretation of legislation class ZA, specifically surpassing two stories above part of the existing structure and extending beyond seven meters. Jo Richards explained that the appeal decision from the inspector differed and that the upper limit of the existing building should have been considered when comparing heights between existing and proposed structures and as a result the appeal was allowed. It was noted that counsel opinion was sought regarding the interpretation of the legislation, but that counsel opinion supported the inspectors interpretation.

Jo Richards continued that the counsel opinion was a positive outcome relating to the use of a condition which required the applicant to seek mitigation for impacts of the Thames Basin Heaths SPA before commencing development.  

It was noted that the General Permitted Development Order (GDPO) encompassed various provisions allowing developers to change the use or extend upwards, including some newer provisions and officers were doing what they could in terms of working within the legislation.