Firstly, this is a proposal to build housing on land allocated and in use for waste management - against government policy- and therefore an exception.

Assuming that this is acceptable, it is also a housing development on land outside the Settlement Policy Boundary. This is governed in planning guidance by the exceptions policy. But none of the exceptions apply so this becomes an exception to the exceptions policy.

If this is accepted the officer proposes another exception - to relieve the developer of the need to provide a percentage of affordable housing.

WBDC policy allows this - as an exception.

To achieve this, Rivar have offered a generous developer's contribution of over £3m.

But now we come to another exception. Your officers propose that the money should not be used for the defined purposes but that it should be used to replace the recycling site which is being exceptioned out of existence.

Finally yet another exception. This work is not being put out to tender. Surely a council seeking best value would put a contract of this size out to competitive tender.

But no. Rivar will give the money with one hand and take it back with the other to acquire the Abbotswood site and build the HWRC.

Is this value for money? Has the District Valuer been asked for an opinion on the cost of acquiring the site? Has advice been taken on the approximate cost of building such a centre? Is Rivar equipping the site or are they just building hard standings for the bins, parking and access roads.?

And at the end, West Berkshire winds up with a 0.75 ha HWRC whilst Rivar will continue to own the remainder of the site including that part lying in the Green Belt but which by inference will have the capacity to be converted to waste management.

The residents of Greenham are not nimbys . They have been fighting to retain the existing site which lies inside their parish and also the land on the same site which is defined in the Berkshire Waste and Minerals Strategy for other waste management purposes. Has the option of continuing at this site been explored?

There is such a forest of exceptions surrounding this application that the full council should ask all members whether they wish to be associated with such a prejudiced decision.