Agenda and draft minutes

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

The chair 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. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Val Shaw and Cheryl Briggs who was substituted for Councillor Sarah James.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the Planning Committee minutes of the meeting held on 17 April 2024. 

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 17 April 2024 as a correct record and agree that the Chair sign these as such.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests and non-registrable interests or any conflicts of interest in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.

Councillor Scott Houghton declared that he was ward member for item 8 on the agenda, P24/V0325/FUL. Councillor Houghton confirmed that he would stand down from the committee and not participate in the debate or vote for this item.

To receive notification of any matters which the chair 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. 

The committee noted the list of the members of the public who had registered to speak at the meeting.

Outline planning application with all matters reserved except for access for the redevelopment of 2morrow Court for residential purposes.

The committee considered planning application P23/V2576/O for outline planning application with all matters reserved except for access for the redevelopment of 2morrow Court for residential purposes on land at Entree Global Services, Appleford Road, Sutton Courtenay.

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 the meeting.

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted that the application sought to establish the principle of development for up to 17 dwellings and associated access, with all other matters indicative at this stage. She advised the committee that the application was before them due to the objection of the parish council. The planning officer informed the committee that the main areas for objection related to overdevelopment of the site, connectivity of the site with the surrounding area and a need to wait for the outcome of the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF1) inquiry. She confirmed that responses to these concerns were set out in full in the officer’s report.

The planning officer informed the committee that the main issue with the application was the proposed loss of employment space in line with policy CP29 of the adopted Local Plan 2031. She advised a viability assessment had been submitted with the application which demonstrated that via direct marketing of the site only four enquiries had come forward. The site was deemed unsuitable for business use as a better property was available within the area. The officer informed the committee that no technical objections had been raised on the basis of loss of employment space.

The planning officer went on to inform the committee that no objections had been received from the local highway’s authority. The proposal made use of the existing site access and the change in movements would not be a significant change from the existing use. The planning officer went on to advise that some development could be permitted prior to HIF1, advising that guidance now allowed for tier 3 developments of 10 or more houses are no longer to be objected to on highways grounds as HIF1 funding had been secured. Applications of this type should therefore be assessed based on their merits.

The planning officer informed the committee that all dwellings in the proposal fell within flood zone 1 but that a proposed area of open space fell within flood zone 2 as confirmed by the flood risk assessment submitted with the application. She confirmed that the Environment Agency had no objection subject to proposed conditions.

The planning officer then advised the committee that since the submission of the application the Sutton Courtenay Neighbourhood Plan had been approved via referendum. She confirmed that full weight had been given to the Sutton Courtenay Neighbourhood Plan since it’s approval at referendum even though it had not yet been adopted by Council.

Hugo Raworth spoke on behalf of Sutton Courtenay Parish Council, objecting to the application.

Ellie Neil, the agent representing the applicant, spoke in support of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113.

Reserved Matters application for the details of appearance, landscaping, scale, and layout following Outline Approval P21/V0679/O(Outline application for access for residential development of up to 5 dwellings).(Amended plans and information received 21 March 2024 as set out in accompanying agent cover letter)

The committee considered planning application P23/V2385/RM for reserved matters application for the details of appearance, landscaping, scale, and layout following Outline Approval P21/V0679/O (Outline application for access for residential development of up to 5 dwellings). (Amended plans and information received 21 March 2024 as set out in accompanying agent cover letter) on land at 25 Orchard Way, Harwell, Didcot.

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 the meeting.

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted that the application followed approval of an outline application in 2021. The application sought permission for 5 dwellings and concerned the reserved matters of appearance, layout, scale and landscaping. The planning officer informed the committee the application was before them as it had been called in by the local ward member. In response to comments made by a neighbour, the planning officer went on to confirm that she had carried out a site visit on the 5 December 2023.

The  site itself was located on the western side of the village with the recreation ground to the south. The proposal was for a single storey dwelling at the front of the site with four two storey dwellings behind. The planning officer informed the committee that the boundary treatments would comprise hedges to the external site and closed board fencing to the neighbouring property.

The planning officer described the built form in the area and advised the committee that the views from the recreation ground would be taken in the context of the existing built form. She reminded the committee that the principle of development had been approved and therefore was not for reconsideration. The planning officer was of the view that, on balance, the proposed landscaping, scale and design were acceptable, there was sufficient parking being provided to meet current standards and that the proposal accorded with the adopted local plan. For these reasons,  the application was recommended for approval.

Paul Luper spoke on behalf of Harwell Parish Council, objecting to the application.

Jez Hawthorne spoke objecting to the application.

Sean Bates, the applicant, spoke in support of the application. During his allocated speaking slot Mr Bates experienced technical difficulties and therefore the time was stopped to allow him to reconnect. The remainder of his speaking slot was given following the local ward member.

Councillor Hayleigh Gascoigne, a local ward councillor, spoke on the application.

The committee asked if officers were satisfied with the reduction in building heights which had been secured since the original submission of the application. The planning officer confirmed they were happy with the changes to the heights detailing that plots 1-3 and 5 had been reduced from 8.6 metres to 7.46 metres and plot 4 had been reduced from 8.25 metres to 7.74 metres. She went on to advise that this should be considered in line with the levels details which showed the ridge heights in context of the surrounding properties. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114.

Erection of detached part single part 2 storey dwelling house with home workshop. Erection of bin and bike stores/energy hub building. Car parking provision. Improved visibility splays to existing vehicular access. Landscaping of the site.

The committee considered planning application P24/V0325/FUL for erection of detached part single part 2 storey dwelling house with home workshop. Erection of bin and bike stores/energThe committee considered planning application P24/V0325/FUL for erection of detached part single part 2 storey dwelling house with home workshop. Erection of bin and bike stores/energy hub building. Car parking provision. Improved visibility splays to existing vehicular access. Landscaping of the site at 134 Cumnor Hill, Oxford.

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 the meeting.

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted that the application had been called in by a local ward member.

The planning officer informed the committee that the proposed dwelling was located behind the existing dwelling and would be accessed from Chorley Lane to the west. He confirmed that the existing dwelling would be unaffected by the proposal. The proposed dwelling was to be set down from the existing ground level and screening was proposed on the flat roof to prevent overlooking. He advised there was also a proposed condition to prevent the use of the flat roof areas a balcony.

The planning officer advised that officers considered the main issues to be the impact on the character of the area and the impact on amenity. Whilst the proposal was back land development, officers were of the view that the specific context of the development in the site meant it was not harmful to the area. The planning officer confirmed the site was located in a designated low density area but that the proposal would not harm the amenity of neighbours.

Chris Westcott spoke on behalf of Cumnor Parish Council, objecting to the application.

Paul Munsey spoke objecting to the application.

Paul Topping, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Scott Houghton, a local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

The committee asked why, when the Cumnor Neighbourhood Plan restricted backland development, did the planning officer feel this application was appropriate. The planning officer confirmed that policy said that backland development should be avoided where it was harmful to the character of the area but there was no blanket ban on this type of development. He also advised that all applications should be considered in context and that on balance the planning officers conclusion was that the development was not harmful. Officers were of the view that the context of the surrounding buildings meant that in this instance the proposal was a continuation of that development rather than needing to be in keeping with stronger character of dwellings to the east. The planning officer confirmed that the development did not conflict with policy as it was not harmful.

The committee asked the planning officer to confirm why they were of the view that overlooking was not an issue. The planning officer advised that the orientation of the proposed dwelling was unusual with the first floor looking into the bottom  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

Single storey infill extension and front entrance porch. (As clarified by drawing reference 23020.11C received 24 April 2024, to correct the proposed first floor and proposed roof plans to demonstrate the proposed front porch extension).

The committee considered planning application P24/V0609/HH for single storey infill extension and front entrance porch. (As clarified by drawing reference 23020.11C received 24 April 2024, to correct the proposed first floor and proposed roof plans to demonstrate the proposed front porch extension) at 42 Harding Way, Marcham, Abingdon, OX13 6FJ.

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 the meeting.

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted that there had been an update since the agenda was published as an additional comment had been raised regarding the accuracy of the red line plan. The agent had confirmed that the red line plan as submitted was correct and title deeds had been provided to that effect.

The planning officer informed the committee that the application came before them as the applicant was a district councillor. The application related to a link detached property in a built up area of Marcham and sought permission for a front porch extension and single storey rear in-fill extension.

The officer advised that the application was recommended for approval.

There were no registered speakers for this item.

The committee asked if the application would have come before them had the applicant not been a district councillor. The planning officer advised that it would not.

A motion, moved and seconded to approve the application was carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to approve planning application P24/V0609/HH, subject to the following conditions:

1.    Commencement within three years

2.    Approved plans list

3.    Materials in accordance with application details