Agenda item

Further to the report the Officers advised that revised comments had been received from the County Engineer following clarification from the applicant on the need for a financial contribution towards the Abingdon Integrated Transport Study (ABITS). The Officer read from the County Engineer’s response which stated that looking at the number of daily trips in and out of the site (or parked in front in the case of the previous HGV visits), there used to be approximately 26 trips (assuming 2 trips for each HGV visit – one to the site and one leaving the site having been parked out in front). The proposed number of daily trips for the 8 flats would be 16 to 32 trips. Whilst this might have represented an intensified use of the site entrance from previously, the County Engineer acknowledged (1) the replacement of LGV/HGV trips with private car trips to and from the site and (2) the removal of staff cars parked in the vicinity both of which offered an improvement to the traffic in the area.  The CountyEngineer had therefore confirmed that she had revised her previous comments and would not be seeking contributions towards ABiTS.

The Officers reported that having regard to these additional comments the Committee was now recommended to approve the applications subject to conditions.

Furthermore, the Committee’s attention was drawn to an objector’s comments in paragraph 4.12 of the report in that the objector had been unable to attend the meeting to address Members personally and had specifically requested that the comments be highlighted.

Finally the Officers noted that the Town Council had objected on the grounds of access and highway safety.  However, it was considered that the proposed parking and access arrangements were acceptable for the reasons given in the report and the County Engineer had raised no objections to the proposal.  However, Officers wished to add to condition 7 a requirement that the vehicle turntable should be maintained and retained in good mechanical working order at all times and be free from obstruction to such use.

The application is recommended to the committee for approval subject to the conditions in the report with those changes outlined.

Some Members spoke in support of the application but expressed concern regarding the ability to enforce the use of the turntable. It was explained that this was not a matter which could be enforced but given the length of the access drive, it was expected that residents would use it as the only possible way of entering and leaving the site. 

One Member drew attention to the comments of the Consultant Architect and expressed his support for the proposal.  Other Members agreed commenting that the design was exciting and would be suitable for this location.  In terms on access it was noted that the access had previously been used by transit vans and therefore large cars should be able to access the site.  It was reported that the access was 2.8 metres.

By 14 votes to nil with 1 abstention it was

RESOLVED

(a)       that application ABG/8678/7 be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report with condition 7 being added to by including a requirement that the vehicle turntable should be maintained and retained in good mechanical working order at all times and be free from obstruction to such use; and

(b)       that application ABG/8678/8-LB be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report.