Agenda and minutes

To receive any announcements from the chairman, and general housekeeping matters.

The chairman gave housekeeping announcements, and explained the committee procedure.  

To receive notification of any matters which the chairman determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent.

None

To record the attendance of substitute members, if any, who have been authorised to attend in accordance with the provisions of standing order 17(1), with notification having been given to the proper officer before the start of the meeting and to receive apologies for absence.

Councillors Sandy Lovatt (Vice-Chairman) and Sue Marchant had sent their apologies for absence. 

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, and other declarations, in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

None

Any statements and/or petitions from members of the public under standing order 33, relating to planning applications, will be made or presented at the meeting.

The committee noted that the applicant’s agent, Sean Stewart, had asked to address the committee on the application for the RAL Space Technology Centre. 

Any statements and/or petitions from the public under standing order 32 will be made or presented at the meeting.

None

To consider any materials submitted prior to the meeting of the Committee.

Any materials submitted will be on display prior to the meeting.

The committee viewed sample materials showing external panel colours and finishes for the proposed development for the RAL Space Technology Centre at Harwell.  The committee noted that the materials supplied only gave an indication of the surface finishes.  The materials would be approved as part of the proposed planning conditions. 

Construction of new Space Technology Research building (7577 sqm) with associated car parking and landscaping. 

The officer presented the report on an application for development in the Science Vale Oxford Enterprise Zone for a Space Technology Centre, car parking and landscaping at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), at Fermi Avenue, Harwell.  Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and this site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting. 

Updates to the report:

·              An additional letter of objection had been received raising points made by other objectors;

·              The applicant had increased cycle parking at the site to 24 spaces;

·              The building had been moved further away from the road to maintain the avenue effect along Fermi Avenue. 

Sean Stewart, the applicant’s agent, spoke in favour of the application:

·              The applicants were dedicated to advancing science and needed a space technology centre;

·              There were good local public transport links to the site;  

·              The proposed development was of a good sustainable design, part of the campus master plan;

·              Together with the recently approved new European Space Agency headquarters, this would provide a centre of excellence unrivalled in Europe, pushing back the frontiers of the known universe.  

Councillor Margaret Turner, the local ward councillor, made the following points:

·              The centre was a welcome addition to the Harwell Oxford campus;

·              However, the proposed development was in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and must respect its environment;

·              The material samples submitted by the developers toned down the bold colours used in the illustrative plans—this was a positive change as this was a prominent site;

·              Landscaping around the site was important to retain the rural nature of the campus;

·              The existing avenue of trees along Fermi Avenue should be retained if possible;

·              The additional cycle parking spaces were welcome;

·              The county council planned to improve cycleways in the area, including along the Winnaway from Harwell village; she hoped the developer would support this and improvements along the A417 Wantage road;

·              This application should have been part of the campus master plan. 

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

·              The proposed development was of good design;

·              The colour scheme for the building’s exterior should be a more toned-down gold, not bright yellow;

·              The materials would be approved as part of the discharge of conditions and would need careful consideration;

·              Noise levels would be no greater than existing operations on the site but excessive noise would be a matter for environmental protection legislation;

·              The orchids growing on the site should be removed to another location on the campus in accordance with a scheme to be submitted by condition;

·              The proposal would bring economic benefits and the creation of space hub at Harwell. 

RESOLVED (for 11; against 0; abstentions 0)

To grant planning permission, subject to:

(a)               a legal agreement with the county council or similar mechanism to be agreed, to secure contributions towards facilities to encourage the use of sustainable transport to and from the site; and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

None