Minutes of Meetings

In Attendance: Cllrs D. Ricardo and M. Brar (RBWM), Mr David Trigwell (Head of Planning), Cllr Vicky Howes ( Lead Member for Planning, Property and Maidenhead Town Centre), Jane Griffiths (Maidenhead Advertiser) and approximately 55 members of the public.

With only one item on the Planning agenda, comments made in the Open Forum were in reference to planning application 03/41211. Mr Barry Weir from Romanlea summarised many residents’ feelings when he said that the 3 storey office block was entirely unsuitable for this area. He detailed the poor parking facilities in this busy part of the village and suggested that to get seven cars parked at the rear of the building would entail lifting them in by crane! He spoke of the blind exit from Romanlea into the main road – this was made worse by bad parking with cars often blocking the exit itself. Also the hedge, a key feature of this part of the village, would be demolished in the plans. Mr Weir added the concerns of Cookham Nursery. The 3 storey building would have many windows directly overlooking the grounds of the Nursery. The Head Mistress was concerned about the security and safety of the children should this plan go ahead.

Mr Richard Longman said that the building was one of six built in1929. This was the only one still standing and he questioned whether demolition should be allowed at all. Mr Laurence Hunt mentioned the new flats on the site of the Anchor Inn and said that the same mistake must not be allowed to happen again.

It was also noted that the yellow notice had not been displayed leading many residents to wonder if the application had been withdrawn.

1. Apologies were received from Cllr A. Hay. There were no declarations of interest.

03/41211	Construction of a 3 storey office building following demolition of existing building. THE OLD BANK, Station Hill, Cookham Rise. Mr G. Evans	OBJECTION
	Cookham Parish Council OBJECT to this application on the grounds of policy DG1 and E10 – inadequate access and parking facilities. This development will harm the character of Cookham Rise making the area feel more cramped and over-developed. It is also important to question the demolition of this building. It is one of only six ever built and dates from 1929. This is the only example still remaining and Cookham Parish Council would hope to see it protected as a listed building if possible.
03/41147	Construction of new pitched roofs over existing dormer windows. WHITE GABLES, Stubbles Lane, Cookham Dean. Mr and Mrs G.G. Maybury.	PERMITTED
03/41113	Consent to prune a willow. NEW HAVEN, Church Road, Cookham Dean. Peter M. Macielinski.	NO OBJECTION

PRESENTATION FROM Mr David Trigwell (RBWM Head of Planning) and Cllr Vicky Howes (Lead Member for Planning, Property and Maidenhead Town Centre)

Mr David Trigwell gave a very honest insight into the problems he is facing at RBWM in the Planning Department. He admitted that RBWM had been told by the Government that they needed to improve their service otherwise the Government have the power to take over. They have analysed their application process and taken measures to speed up the system. This has been hampered by a national shortage of qualified planners. Mr Trigwell spoke of the Delegation system where senior planning officers have the power to make decisions. A review of this scheme was now in process to give the best possible performance. The aim was to process the majority of straight-forward applications swiftly in order to leave more time for the more sensitive applications.

At present, if any one objects to an application it automatically goes to the panel. One idea is to have a category based system where 80% of straightforward applications can be delegated without going to the panel of Councillors. A Consultation will be sent out to Parish Councils, Development Control Stakeholders and Members. The new scheme would hopefully be implemented by April 2004.

Mr Trigwell and Cllr Howes then answered questions from the audience and the Parish Councillors.