Agenda item

Proposal:  Outline application for a Motorway Service Area between M25 Junctions 15 and 16 near Iver Heath with all matters reserved, comprising vehicular access from the M25 including new overbridge and realignment of the A4007 Slough Road, a controlled vehicular access from the A4007 for emergency vehicles only, including a staff drop off point and associated footway works to Slough Road, facilities buildings, Drive-Thru, fuel filling stations, electric vehicle charging, parking facilities, service yard, vehicle circulation, landscaping, woodland and amenity spaces, Sustainable Drainage Systems, a diverted public bridleway; together with associated mitigation and infrastructure and with earthworks / enabling works including mineral extraction.

A site visit was carried out on 22 November 2022.

A statement was read out on behalf of local ward member Councillor Paul Griffin by Sally Taylor, Senior Democratic Services Officer.

Speaking as local ward member, Councillor Luisa Sullivan.

Speaking as local ward member, Councillor Wendy Matthews.

A statement was read out on behalf of Councillor Julie Cook, Iver Parish Council, by Sally Taylor, Senior Democratic Services Officer.

Speaking as objectors, David Rolinson, Katy Barton and Stewart Pomeroy.

Speaking as a supporter, Ann Bartaby.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Tom Jeremiah.

It was proposed by Councillor Jonathan Waters and seconded by Councillor Patrick Fealey and agreed at a vote.

Resolved: 

1.              That the decision be delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment for APPROVAL subject to

A)   Referral to the Secretary of State in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2021 on Green Belt grounds; and

B)   The granting of satisfactory consents by the Secretary of State pursuant to the Green Belt (London and Home Counties) Act 1938 (as amended).

C)   The completion of an Agreement under s111 Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) securing a further Agreement under s106 Town & Country Planning Act 1990 to secure planning obligations broadly in accordance with the details set out in the main body of the report (and any update sheet); and

D)   The imposition of planning conditions broadly in accordance with the details set out in the report (and any update sheet) as considered appropriate by the Director of Planning and Environment;

2.     If these cannot be achieved, for the application to be REFUSED for such reasons as the Director of Planning and Environment considers appropriate OR

3. The application shall be referred back to the Strategic Sites Committee in the event that the application has not been called-in by the Secretary of State and;

(i)  there has been no decision to approve any Green Belt (London and Home Counties) Act 1938 (as amended) consent application within 4 months of the date of this resolution; or

(ii)  there has been no confirmation, within 4 months of the date of this resolution, that consent has been sought from the Secretary of State for the erection of buildings on the land and for any necessary alienation of Buckinghamshire Council’s interest in the land or for the land to be released from all of the restrictions contained in the Green Belt (London and Home Counties) Act 1938 (as amended); or

(iii)   within 4 months of the date of this resolution, the Director of Planning and Environment considers that new material considerations have arisen;

In the event of any changes being needed to the wording of this resolution (such as to delete, vary or add conditions/informatives/planning obligations or reasons for approval/refusal) prior to the decision being issued, the Director of Planning and Environment has delegated authority to do so in consultation with the Chairman, provided that the changes do not exceed the substantive nature of the Strategic Sites Committee’s resolution.

And subject to the first sentence of condition 37 being amended to read:

The details to be submitted under condition 3 (layout and appearance) should include details of Electric Vehicle Charging provision to include a minimum 100 active spaces to meet future demand, and/or, any details for the provision for any alternative (non-fossil) fuels for vehicles (including hydrogen fuelling), shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

The Chairman also agreed to write, in conjunction with officers, to the relevant Cabinet Member, to request a discussion on the matter of ensuring adequate electrical supply to the area.