Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Sandy Lovatt submitted apologies.

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

None.

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, and to receive any announcements from the chairman. 

None.

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak. 

One member of the public had registered to speak on the Local Plan Part 2 (see Minute 14 below).

To consider the report of the head of planning (attached).

The committee considered the report of the head of planning services which provided an overview of the main changes proposed to the Local Plan 2031 Part 2 following consultation.  An addendum report setting out a number of proposed further amendments had been circulated. This reflected ongoing work including collaborative working with key stakeholders such as Oxfordshire County Council.

Councillor Roger Cox, Cabinet member for planning, introduced the report. Also present to answer questions were Adrian Duffield, head of planning services and Andrew Maxted, planning policy project lead.

Councillor Cox reported that it was the Council’s intention to submit the Local Plan to the Secretary of State at the end of February 2018. As set out in the Council’s Local Development Scheme, it was anticipated that the Local Plan would be examined in the summer of 2018 with adoption before the end of the year.

Jon Alsop, representing a landowner, addressed the committee regarding the removal of the proposed development at North-East Marcham. His points included:

·         The development was in a sustainable location;

·         Neighbouring sites had been granted planning permission;

·         The site related well to the existing built up area of Marcham; and

·         There was a lack of supporting evidence to justify the removal of the proposed development from the Local Plan.

In response to these comments, the Cabinet member and officers stated that the removal of the proposed development was in response to an objection raised by Oxfordshire County Council due to the site’s proximity to an Air Quality Management Area within Marcham and the potential detrimental impact from development.

Councillor Emily Smith addressed the committee. Her points included:

·         Whether the figures for Oxford City’s unmet housing need should be revised downwards in the light of the recent Government White Paper;

·         The transport infrastructure was inadequate to support the proposed Dalton Barracks development; and

·         The proposed Lodge Hill Park and Ride was currently unfunded, was a low priority for the County Council and would not be operational before 2026. However, once operational, it would encourage commuters to drive to and from the Park and Ride rather than use public transport.

In response to these comments, the Cabinet member and officers stated that:

·         The Government White Paper was a consultation document with any proposals to be published in the Spring.  At this stage, there was no evidence to justify amending the figures for Oxford City’s unmet housing need;

·         The Local Plan was a strategic document.  Details of supporting infrastructure, including traffic management measures for Dalton Barracks and other sites would be considered as part of any planning application and S106 agreement; and

·         The main public transport links for the Dalton Barracks development would be via the existing bus services.

The committee considered the report, addendum and supporting documents. In response to members’ questions, the Cabinet member and officers stated that:

·         Government guidance was that local authorities currently progressing their Local Plans should continue rather than delay.  Even if the figures for unmet housing need were to change in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item Sc14

To review the attached scrutiny work schedule. Please note, although the dates are confirmed, the items under consideration are subject to being withdrawn, added to or rearranged without further notice.

The committee considered its work programme and agreed:

·         To assign dates to previously unscheduled items; and

·         That, prior to an item coming to Scrutiny, members identify particular issues/information to be included in the report and who should be invited to attend.

An updated work programme would be circulated prior to the next meeting.