Agenda and minutes

The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, outlined the procedure to be followed and advised on emergency evacuation arrangements.

Councillor Margaret Turner sent her apologies; Councillor Mike Badcock substituted for her.

None.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the minutes of the committee meeting held on 3 December 2014 (previously circulated separately). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2014 were circulated separately in advance of the meeting.

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting of 3 December 2014 as a correct record and that the chairman sign them as such.

None.

None.

None.

None.

Outline application for residential development of about 2,500 dwellings with associated services and facilities including secondary school, primary schools, local centre, open space including community park, and the realignment of Denchworth Road to the south. As amended by description and additional information from agent/applicant dated 23/10/2012.

Councillor Mike Badcock left the meeting prior to this application being considered.

The officer presented the report and addendum on application P12/V0299/O for outline planning permission for a residential development of about 2,500 dwellings with associated services and facilities including secondary school, primary schools, local centre, open space including community park and the realignment of Denchworth Road to the South; to include a material change to one of the accesses into the site at Grove Airfield, Denchworth Road, Grove, Wantage.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and this site’s planning history are detailed in the officer’s report which forms part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

The committee considered this application, with advice from officers where appropriate; the discussion covered the following points:

·         Already approved in principle;

·         The entrance is not ideal for a flagship development; and

·         Concerns around the gap in ownership of the Highway.

RESOLVED (for 12; against 0; abstentions 0)

To authorise the head of planning in consultation with the chairman of the planning committee to approve the amendment to application P12/V0299/O for a revised site access 2 from Newlands Drive and footway to

Denchworth Road, in accordance with the drawings and accompanying plans submitted in February 2015 and subject to the following conditions:

1.    Outline permission - approved plans.

2.    Submission of reserved matters.

3.    Commencement of reserved matters.

4.    Development on site.

5.    Phasing plan pre commencement.

6.    Housing delivery document (mix and tenure).

7.    Development brief - local centre.

8.    Development brief - open space.

9.    Development brief – schools.

10. Archaeology.

11. Construction and environmental management plan.

12. Contaminated land.

13. Stopping up highways.

14. Traffic management scheme Denchworth Road.

15. Drainage details.

16. Earthworks strategy.

17. Tree protection.

18. Detailed access design.

19. Landscaping implementation.

20. Landscape management plan.

21. Noise protection.

22. Noise assessment – non-residential buildings.

23. Hours of use – non-residential buildings.

24. Monitoring ecological receptors.

25. Landscape and ecological plan.

26. Details to be submitted with reserved matters.

27. Boundary treatment implementation.

28. Dwelling access and footpath implementation.

29. Northern Link Road.

30. Parking in local centre.

31. Travel plan phase or sub phase.

32. Building regulations reduction in CO2 emissions.

33. Energy delivery strategy.

34. BREEAM very good non residential buildings.

35. Code sustainable homes.

36. Garage size.

37. Information technology.

38. Protection of amenity Churchward Close.

39. Protection of Wiltshire canal.

40. Signs regarding the rail crossing.

41. Fire hydrants.

Outline planning application for up to 240 dwellings and a site for a primary school along with associated public open space and highways works.

The officer presented the report and addendum on application P13/V1810/O for outline planning permission for up to 240 dwellings and a site for a primary school along with associated public open space and highway works on land to the East of Highworth Road, Shrivenham.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and this site’s planning history are detailed in the officer’s report which forms part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

Sarah Day, a representative of Shrivenham Parish Council, spoke in support of the application. She requested that the Parish Council is involved in any consultations regarding boundary treatments.

Neil Clennel, a representative of BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included:

·         The effect of the increased recreational pressure on the SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) of Tuckmill Meadow;

·         The financial contribution offered by the applicant for future management is not needed; and

·         Concern the proposed country park will not be delivered.

Nathan McLoughlin, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application. His speech referred to the following:

·         The site is already allocated in the local plan;

·         The proposal includes land and financial contributions towards a new primary school; and

·         Natural England have dropped their objection in principle.

Elaine Ware and Simon Howell, two of the local ward councillors, spoke in support of the application. Their speech referred to the following:

·         The preferred site is included in Part I of the Local Plan and will meet the housing allocation for the village;

·         The applicant is sympathetic to the needs of the village; and

·         Highways concerns of the impact on the A420 and local road networks will be addressed at reserved matters.

The committee considered this application, with advice from officers where appropriate; the discussion covered the following points:

·         There are no objections from statutory consultees;

·         Support for the reduction to 35% of affordable housing;

·         The proposed new primary school is welcome;

·         The concerns for the SSSI need to be considered in balance with other matters;

·         Future access and management of the SSI will be covered in the S106 agreement and mitigation in the reserved matters layout;

·         The impact on the SSI will need to be monitored; and

·         Proposed Thames Water upgrade welcome.

 RESOLVED (for 13; against 0; abstentions 0)

To delegate the authority to grant planning permission for application P13/V1810/O to the head of planning in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Planning Committee subject to the completion of S106 agreements with the County and District Councils to secure contributions to local infrastructure and affordable housing and subject to the following conditions:

1.    Time limit - outline application (full).

2.    Standard OL Condition (excluding access) (full).

3.    Approved plans listed.

4.    Landscaping scheme required to be submitted and approved.

5.    Implementation of landscaping scheme.

6.    Tree protection to be submitted and agreed.

7.    Sustainable drainage scheme to be agreed and provided.

8.    Foul water drainage strategy including upgrade works to be agreed and implemented pre commencement.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Outline application for residential development comprising up to 59 dwellings with associated highways works, landscaping and infrastructure improvements.

The officer presented the report and addendum on application P13/V1514/O for outline planning permission for a residential development of 59 dwellings with associated highway works, landscaping and infrastructure improvements.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and this site’s planning history are detailed in the officer’s report which forms part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

Sarah Day, a representative of Shrivenham Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application. Her concerns included the following:

·         Strong opposition from the village;

·         Concern for the Grade I agricultural land;

·         The proposal lacks fluidity with the surrounding area;

·         The connection to the mains is complex and extensive;

·         The proposed wildlife ponds are dangerous for children; and

·         There is already favoured available and deliverable allocation site in the village.

J E Varney, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included:

·         The dangerous proposed access point where visibility is poor;

·         Access to shops and amenities is poor;

·         The site requires a £1.5m sewer upgrade;

·         Part I of the local plan does not include this site.

Steven Neal, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application. His speech referred to the following:

·         The applicant has worked closely with officers;

·         The mitigation scheme for the Great Crested Newt population has been greatly improved;

·         There are no technical objections from statutory consultees;

·         There will be a sustainable system for flooding and drainage;

·         The illustrative layout is irrelevant as it is only outline; and

·         A proposed mix of 40% affordable housing.

Elaine Ware and Simon Howell, two of the local ward councillors, spoke objecting to the application. Their concerns included the following:

·         Following consultation with residents, the North of the village is the preferred allocation site for new housing;

·         Inappropriate location and scale;

·         Cumulative impact and need for infrastructure are material planning reasons for refusal;

·         The applicant has only offered £10,600 in contributions; and

·         The proposal will have a negative impact on the community.

The committee considered this application, with advice from officers where appropriate; the discussion covered the following points:

·         The negative impact on the long views of the lowland Vale;

·         Concern for the safety of children around the newt mitigation ponds;

·         Concern for the rare Grade I agricultural land;

·         The view of the Grade I listed church would be adversely affected; and

·         The layout of the proposal.

The officer’s recommendation to approve planning permission, was rejected on being put to the vote (for 2; against 11; abstentions 0).

The committee resolved to refuse planning permission on the following grounds:

·         The loss of Grade I agricultural land;

·         The negative impact on views from the Grade I listed church;

·         Detrimental landscape impact;

·         Overdevelopment and poor design;

·         The proposal is not in keeping with the character of the area; and

·         In the absence of a s.106 agreement, the proposal would not provide affordable housing or sufficient infrastructure for the development.

 RESOLVED (for 11; against 1; abstentions 1)

To refuse planning permission for application P13/V1514/O for the following reasons:

1.    Paragraph 112 of the National Planning Policy Framework requires  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

158 residential dwellings, open space, a new access off Drayton Road (to include the removal of 7 Tree Preservation Ordered Lime Trees), engineering works, infrastructure works, car parking and lighting.

The officer presented the report and addendum on application P14/V1196/FUL for 158 dwellings, open space, a new access off Drayton Road (to include the removal of 7 Tree Preservation Ordered Lime Trees), engineering works, infrastructure works, car parking and lighting on land East of Drayton Road, Abingdon.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and this site’s planning history are detailed in the officer’s report which forms part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

Jim Halliday, an adjacent ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         The impact of traffic and air quality; and

·         A suggestion to install the proposed pedestrian crossings and monitor prior to consideration.

Alice Badcock, a representative of Abingdon Town Council, spoke objecting to the application. Her concerns included the following:

·         Concern that up-to-date objections from 5 December 2014 had not been published;

·         Overlooking on the Virginia Road side;

·         The proposal is out of keeping with the area;

·         Uncertainty about the proposed traffic mitigation measures;

·         Suggestion to put these in place and review in six months;

·         The pumping station floods gardens in Virginia Way; and

·         Traffic safety regarding the bus stop directly opposite the site.

Janet Moreton, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application. Her concerns included the impact of the increase in cars on congestion.

Neil Fawcett, a County Councillor, spoke objecting to the application; he suggested seeing if the traffic mitigation proposals work first.

Anthea Norman-Taylor, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application, her concerns were about the quality of evidence concerning the ecological impact of the proposal.

Andy Cattermole, the agent, spoke in support of the application. His speech referred to the following:

·         The applicant has extant planning permission and can therefore be implemented;

·         The applicant has worked with officers to improve the scheme;

·         The Highways and traffic impact will be less than the already approved scheme; and

·         They will commit to delivering the pedestrian crossings at the earliest opportunity.

Aidan Melville, a local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         The traffic is already critical on Drayton Road and within Abingdon;

·         The strain on local amenities; and

·         The proposed pedestrian crossings are for safety not traffic calming.

The committee considered this application, with advice from officers where appropriate; the discussion covered the following points:

·         The potential for the pedestrian crossings being installed and monitored prior to development;

·         Concerns that Abingdon Town Council’s latest comments had not been published on the website – officers advised that they had;

·         Possible to refer to the Chair if there are new material considerations.

 RESOLVED (for 7; against 5; abstentions 1)

To authorise the head of planning in consultation with the chairman to grant planning permission for application P14/V1196/FUL subject to:

      i.        Completion of section 106 agreements with the district council and county council to secure affordable housing and financial contributions to necessary off-site infrastructure.

    ii.        Conditions as follows:

1.    Commencement three years - full planning permission.

2.    Approved plans.

3.    Materials as approved.

4.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of site to provide 14 dwellings.

The officer presented the report and addendum on application P14/V2318/FUL for the demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of the site to provide 14 dwellings at the former Motorlux site, 32 Newbury Street, Wantage.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and this site’s planning history are detailed in the officer’s report which forms part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

Richard Shepherd, the applicant, spoke in support of the application. His speech referred to the business no longer being viable and the attempts made to keep the site commercial.

The committee considered this application, with advice from officers where appropriate.

RESOLVED (for 12; against 0; abstentions 0)

To authorise the Head of Planning in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the planning committee to grant planning permission for application P14/V2318/FUL subject to:

      i.        Completion of a section 106 legal agreement to secure contributions towards off-site services and facilities; and

    ii.        The following conditions:

1.    Commencement of development three years.

2.    Approved plans.

3.    Samples of materials to be submitted.

4.    Boundary treatment details to be submitted.

5.    Bat activity surveys and mitigation measures to be undertaken and submitted.

6.    No commencement on site without either licence from Natural England or confirmation from them that one is not required.

7.    Access, parking and turning space in accordance with submitted plans.

8.    Bicycle Parking in accordance with submitted plans.

9.    Submission of a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).

10. Residential travel information pack provided prior to occupation for each unit, details to be submitted.

11. Sustainable surface water and foul water drainage details to be submitted.

12. Provision of fire hydrants - details to be submitted of locations.

13. Tree protection plan to be submitted.

14. Landscaping scheme – submission.

15. Landscaping scheme – implementation.

16. Contaminated land details to be submitted.

17. Details of slab levels to be submitted.

18. Removal of permitted development rights (extensions, outbuildings and external alterations).

19. Removal of permitted development rights for walls, fences and enclosures.