Agenda item

Erection of up to 22 dwellings with associated car parking and landscaping following demolition of existing buildings.

The officer presented the report on application P13/V0446/O for outline permission for up to 22 dwellings with associated car parking and landscaping following demolition of existing buildings on land west of Faringdon Road, Cumnor.

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

Updates to the report:

·         the illustrative layout had been modified to provide better noise attenuation;

·         no weight should be given as yet to the recently published Additional Strategic Housing Sites Allocation consultation

Brian Stops, representing Cumnor Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application; his concerns included the remoteness and unsustainability of the site and the impact of its development on the green belt.

Peter Day, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application; his concerns included:

·         he welcomed some changes but maintained his objections;

·         conditions to control exterior lighting should be added to preserve the glow-worms’ habitat;

·         access to Woodlands should be closed;

·         contamination, surface and foul drainage should be properly addressed.

Sophie Matthews, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application and said that Mr Day’s comments were covered in the proposed conditions.

Councillor John Woodford, one of the local ward members, spoke about the application. He commented that the proposal was acceptable; the location was however not wholly sustainable; lighting levels should protect the glow-worms; and the development should maintain a rural feel.

The committee considered this application, with advice from officers where appropriate; and agreed to add conditions to ensure the existing access to Woodlands was closed; that the replacement dwelling was not more than 30 per cent larger; and to remove site contamination. The committee had concerns about the relatively low contribution to off-site affordable housing, but noted that an independent assessment of viability had been made.

RESOLVED (for 10; against 3)

to grant planning permission for application P13/V0446/O at land west of Faringdon Road, Cumnor subject to:

i. the completion of section 106 agreements to secure financial contributions

and

ii. the following conditions:

1.            TL2 – Time limit – outline permission.

2.            OL1 – Standard outline condition.

3.            HY2 – Access in accordance with specified plan.

4.            No dwelling shall be occupied until two bus stops, a pedestrian refuge, two litter bins, and associated lighting, are provided in accordance with details which shall have been first submitted to, and approved in writing by, the local planning authority.

5.            Prior to the commencement of development, full details of all street lighting to be provided shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the local planning authority.

6.            An area of public open space equivalent to no less than 15% of the site area of the area of the site excluding the curtilage of Woodlands shall be provided. The public open space shall include the provision of two park benches.

7.            No development shall take place until surveys for great crested newts have been completed and a report containing the results and the details of any mitigation measures have been submitted to, and approved in writing by, the local planning authority. The mitigation measures shall be implemented prior to the first occupation of the development, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

8.            The development hereby permitted shall be implemented in accordance with chapter 5 of the Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report dated February 2013, unless otherwise first agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

9.            Prior to the commencement of development a mitigation strategy for the impact of noise from the A420 shall be submitted to, and approved in writing by, the local planning authority. The strategy shall include a timetable for implementation. The approved strategy shall be implemented in accordance with the approved timetable and shall be permanently retained and maintained thereafter.

10.       MC24 – Drainage details (surface and foul water).

11.       The existing access to Woodlands to be closed.

12.       The replacement dwelling for Woodlands to be not more than 30 per cent larger;

13.       Remediate site contamination.