Agenda and 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 Councillor Mike Pighills who was substituted by Councillor Scott Houghton.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the Planning Committee minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2023.

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2023 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 Jill Rayner declared that, she was ward member for item 7 on the agenda, P23/V0798/FUL. Councillor Rayner confirmed she 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.

Erection of two commercial buildings with parking and landscaping (as amplified by signage plan received 24th May 2023, and as amended by planting plan received 30th May 2023).

Councillor Jill Rayner declared a non-registerable interest in this item as she was local ward member. Councillor Rayner stood down from the committee during the consideration of this application and did not participate in the debate or vote.

The committee considered planning application P23/V0798/FULfor the erection of two commercial buildings with parking and landscaping (as amplified by signage plan received 24th May 2023, and as amended by planting plan received 30th May 2023), at Cobweb Buildings, The Lane, Lyford, OX12 0EE.

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 permission had previously been granted on the site in 2005 for a series of workshops for the storage and distribution of golf buggies. Although the application had previously been dismissed on appeal permission was secured under a personal permission and tied to Jeneta Limited. A number of different businesses now occupied the site and whilst this did amount to a breach of condition it was likely that this had been the case for more than 10 years and therefore was immune from enforcement action. The officer went on to highlight that in 2017 planning permission had been granted for two commercial buildings and included parking and boundary landscaping. The officer advised the committee that the two buildings had been constructed but had not been built in accordance with the approved plans. The officer went on to highlight the differences being that building one had been built 22 metres further south than was approved. Building two was built seven metres further south than shown on the approved plans and was in use as a car workshop not as an office as had been approved. There had also been reconfiguration of the approved parking area and an increase to the size of the car park on the eastern edge. The officer advised that the landscaping had been amended to take account of these changes.

The officer informed the committee that the key concern which had been raised during the course of the consultation process related to large vehicles and car transporters travelling to and from the site through the surrounding villages. Light spill and the proposed lighting had also been raised as concerns. The officer advised the committee that the proposed landscaping would act to screen the increased parking and proposed lighting. The planning officer went on to note that the nature of the site’s use had caused an increase in the number of vans and car transporters using the site but that in light of the approved commercial use and the widening of permitted development rights for commercial uses this increased use was not substantially different in highways terms.

The officer informed the committee that following discussions with the local highways authority two additional conditions were proposed. These conditions were designed to ensure vehicles were directed away from the villages of Lyford and Charney  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

Single storey side and rear extension to an existing dwelling (as amended by application form and site survey received 20 October 2023).

The committee considered planning application P23/V1800/HH for single storey side and rear extension to an existing dwelling (as amended by application form and site survey received 20 October 2023), at 25 Parklands, Besselsleigh, Abingdon, OX13 5PN.

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 referred to the committee at the request of the local ward member. The planning officer advised the committee that the location plan submitted included all land required to carry out the development which included the access road for the property from the adopted highway. He confirmed this was a technical requirement for the validation of the application and was not the applicant claiming ownership. The planning officer also advised the committee that there had been a previous application on the site for the erection of a detached garage on land to the west of the dwelling. The applicant had been informed that in line with the biodiversity plan submitted with the original application for the development this land was not residential curtilage and therefore the development was not acceptable. The officer stated that the application before the committee had removed any development on this land and that the application did not propose change of use of this land and nor did its inclusion in the application boundary constitute a change of use.

The planning officer informed the committee that the application sought a small front extension which would reduce the length of the driveway slightly and that the proposal followed the existing garage wall. The extension would extend beyond the existing rear of the house by 3.8 metres and the plans indicated that this would create a new bedroom to the rear of the property. The planning officer advised that the property benefitted from all permitted development rights and there was no planning condition preventing the conversion of the garage. He informed the committee that much of the proposed development could be carried out under permitted development rights and indicated that a small area of the extension would exceed the permitted development limits hence the need for the application.

The planning officer concluded that officers considered the impacts of the application acceptable when the permitted development fall back was considered and that the loss of a parking space was acceptable due to the ability for displacement across the estate roads.

Jane Cranston spoke on behalf of Besselsleigh Parish Council, objecting to the application.

Scott Lawrie spoke objecting to the application.

Peter Gray, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Mark Coleman, a local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

The committee had conducted a site visit prior to the meeting. The committee thanked the planning officer for their clear report and noted the majority of what had been applied for could be carried out under permitted development rights. The committee went  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

Single and two storey rear extensions to cottage (amended plans received 30 August, 4 and 23 October, with additional ecological information received 4 October 2023).

The committee considered planning applications P23/V1736/HH and P23/V1737/LBfor single and two storey rear extensions to cottage (amended plans received 30 August, 4 and 23 October, with additional ecological information received 4 October 2023), at Wellshead Cottage, Harwell, OX11 0HD.

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 related to a detached Grade II listed property located on a corner plot. The site was accessed from the west and was located nearby Englefield and Wellshead House, both Grade II listed properties. The planning officer also informed the committee that the site fell within the Harwell conservation area.

The proposed extensions were located to the south east corner of the building and the second storey comprised a new bedroom and ensuite which would include new windows. The planning officer advised it was officers’ opinion that the new windows were of limited impact as they would be obscured and only top opening and the side facing windows were sufficiently oblique to prevent harmful overlooking.

The planning officer highlighted to the committee that no objections had been raised by the heritage officer.

Cath Convery spoke objecting to the application.

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

The committee enquired about the narrow access to neighbouring properties if repairs were required and if there was a right of access. The planning officer confirmed this issue had been raised by both the neighbour and the applicant and it had been established that the land was owned solely by the applicant. Whilst the planning officer did appreciate that the properties were close she advised that this was a civil matter, the extension would be set marginally further away than the present built form and that the heritage officer had not raised any concerns on grounds of maintenance.

The committee went on to ask the planning officer to confirm if the local highways authority had responded to the consultation. The planning officer confirmed that the local highways authority had responded and raised no objection. She went on to advise that the current parking standard for villages was up to two spaces for a four bedroom house and that the garage could be used for parking.

The committee also asked the planning officer to confirm how far the proposed windows were from neighbouring properties. The planning officer confirmed that the closest point would be 92cm from the rear elevation. The planning officer went on to advise that the bathroom window would be obscure glazed and non-opening save for a top hung vent and that the bedroom window did not directly overlook and it was therefore not harmful enough to warrant refusal in officers' opinion.

Motions, moved and seconded, to approve the planning permission and listed building consent applications were carried on being put to the vote.

The committee noted that there was no objection to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Internal and external repairs and improvements, including works to repair internal partition wall, replacement of uninsulated concrete and timber floor with breathable flooring, installation of underfloor heating system, repair of internal wall coverings, repair and replacement of porch roof covering, and replacement of front door. Repair of boundary wall. Installation of new air source heat pump (additional heritage and acoustic information submitted 17 September and 18 October 2023 respectively).

The committee considered planning applications P23/V1862/HH and P23/V1863/LBfor internal and external repairs and improvements, including works to repair internal partition wall, replacement of uninsulated concrete and timber floor with breathable flooring, installation of underfloor heating system, repair of internal wall coverings, repair and replacement of porch roof covering, and replacement of front door. Repair of boundary wall. Installation of new air source heat pump (additional heritage and acoustic information submitted 17 September and 18 October 2023 respectively), at The Vale Cottage, High Street, Uffington, Faringdon, SN7 7RP.

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 was before the committee as the applicant was a ward councillor. The property was a listed semi-detached property located within the Uffington conservation area.

The planning officer informed the committee that the application was for a replacement front door and porch, minor repairs to window frames, wall repairs and an air source heat pump. The planning officer confirmed that the existing wall height would be maintained. Internal alterations included repairs to an internal partition wall, the installation of underfloor heating, repair of rotten timber and the addition of internal insulation.

The planning officer concluded that with the submission of additional information in relation to the new floors and the specifications of the air source heat pump there were no technical objections to the applications and they were therefore recommended for approval subject to the conditions outlined in the officer’s report.

The committee enquired as to the assessments which had been carried out to allow for the installation of an air source heat pump in a listed building. The planning officer confirmed that environmental health had assessed the proposal and wished to ensure there would not be excessive noise generation from the air source heat pump due to it’s size and location but the concern was overcome through the submission of acoustic information. The planning officer went on to advise that the heritage officer had requested further information to ensure that the installation would not interfere with the historic fabric of the building and this information was submitted addressing this concern.

Motions, moved and seconded, to approve the applications were carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to approve planning application P23/V1862/HH, subject to the following conditions:

STANDARD

1. Time limit - Full Application

2. Approved Plans List

3. Approved Supporting Documents

COMPLIANCE

4. Materials in accordance with application details

RESOLVED: to approve the listed building consent application P23/V1863/LB, subject to the following conditions:

STANDARD

1. Time limit – LB/CA Consent

2. Approved Plans List

3. Approved Supporting Documents

COMPLIANCE

4. Materials in Accordance with Application