Agenda and minutes

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

To record apologies for absence and the attendance of substitute members. 

There were no apologies for absence.

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

Councillor Sandy Lovatt declared that in relation to the application being considered, he would be stepping down due to his involvement in the application and his wish to speak as a neighbouring affected ward councillor.

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. 

There was no urgent business.

To receive any statements from members of the public that have registered to speak on planning applications which are being presented to this committee meeting. 

Councillor Sandy Lovatt stepped down from committee and took no further part in the debate or voting for the following item.

Councillor Janet Shelley, vice-chairman, stepped in to explain public participation.

The list showing 12 members of the public who had registered to speak on planning applications was tabled at the meeting. The speaking time of 21 minutes per group of speakers was explained.

Councillor Janet Shelley explained the distribution of speaking time for the groups of speakers.

Outline application (with all matters reserved except for principal means of access to the highway) for a residential development of up to 900 dwellings and 50 retirement homes (use class C3), together with a local centre, (including: 2.2HA site for a 1.5 form entry primary school, community hub, care homes comprising up to 80 beds, children's nursery, public house/restaurant, retail and other services) public open space, recreation areas and sports pitches (including sports pavilion and multi-use games area) play areas, acoustic bund with fencing, and associated infrastructure including roads, sewers and attenuation ponds.

Councillors Sandy Lovatt, Robert Hall and Bob Johnston, neighbouring and local ward members, stepped down from the committee and took no part in the debate or voting for this item.

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

The officer presented the report and addendum on outline application P17/V0050/O for a residential development on land north of Dunmore Road and Twelve Acre Drive, Abingdon for:

·         Up to 900 dwellings;

·         50 retirement homes (Class C3 use);

·         A local centre (including 2.2ha site for a 1.5 form entry primary school, community hub, care homes comprising up to 80 beds, children’s nursery, public house/restaurant, retail and other services);

·         Public open space;

·         Recreation areas and sports pitches (including sports pavilion and multi-use games area);

·         Play areas;

·         Acoustic bund with fencing; and

·         Associated infrastructure including roads, sewers and attenuation ponds.

The addendum report contained the following updates:

·         The Secretary of State has approved Oxfordshire County Council’s bid for £9 million for the Lodge Hill slip roads.

·         A petition organised by the Oxford West and Abingdon Liberal Democrats has been received, with 1,046 signatures requesting the promise of a full interchange at Lodge Hill before housing development goes ahead; officers remain of the opinion that the occupancy restriction as in condition 41 is sufficient.

·         An additional written statement from Councillor Edward Blagrove was circulated to committee, which largely offer support to the representation from Radley Parish Council.

·         An additional neighbour representation has been received concerning the Lodge Hill slop road timings.

·         Abingdon Town Council, Radley Parish Council and Sunningwell Parish Council have requested confirmation of CIL contributions, which are listed within the addendum report.

Aron Wisdom, Senior Transport Planner for Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) gave a presentation concerning traffic impacts of the development. This included:

·         This proposal has substantial sustainable credentials by virtue of the existing transport links;

·         Transport impacts are appreciated, but there are sufficient mitigations including the Lodge Hill slip roads and Oxford Road roundabout;

·         OCC have already committed to the Lodge Hill improvements at risk but are confident the project is deliverable within approximately three years as exemplified by the similar Chilton Interchange works;

·         Now that DCLG have committed to funding £9 million towards phased funding of the works, OCC will forward fund the signed S106 to ensure there is no delay in funding;

·         The Lodge hill slips will change the dynamic of traffic from the centre of Abingdon, which will bring crucial benefits for the Air Quality Management Area strategy;

·         The Dunmore Road pedestrian crossings would create gaps in traffic to enable people to get out of priority T-junctions; and

·         The proposed network of pedestrian and cycle routes, similar to Dutch hybrid lanes, along the spine road and throughout the site should reduce the need to travel by car and improve access to the school and local centre.

Colin Weyer, a representative of Sunningwell Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.