Agenda item

Demolition of 2 Arnolds Way and erection of eight flats. (as amended by plans PL01C, PL02B and PL03A received 30 August 2016, additional vehicle tracking plan received 27 September 2016 and amended by plans received 1 December 2016).

The officer presented the report and addendum on application P16/V1493/FUL to demolish the existing property and erect eight flats at 2 Arnolds Way, Cumnor Hill.

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 this meeting.

Councillor Steve Viner, a representative of Cumnor Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application.  His concerns included the following:

·         There has been insufficient information provided on traffic movements;

·         The application drawings lack a vision splay and the parking spaces are inaccurate; and

·         He referred the committee to the objections made on 1 August and 20 September 2016.

Mike Dean, a local resident, spoke in objection to the application.  His concerns included the following:

·         Cumnor Hill is a lower density area compared to Botley, and as such, this application constitutes over-development;

·         The Strategic Housing Market assessment has indicated a need for three bedroom properties, not one and two bedroom properties;

·         The monolithic design of the proposal is not suitable for Cumnor Hill;

·         The junction upon which the site is situated has a history of traffic accidents, is busy, lacks any pedestrian crossings or traffic lights and would be adversely affected by an increase in works traffic travelling through Cumnor Hill; and

·         The three-storey houses in the plan contravene the Vale of White Horse Design Guide 2015.

Michael O’Shea, the applicant, spoke in support of the application:

·         The applicant has been involved in pre-application discussions with planning officers and have taken on board planning policies;

·         The flats are much needed for the area, are made of good quality materials and are of acceptable scale and design;

·         The proposed building will have a slightly larger footprint, but will be no closer to 4 Arnolds Way;

·         The dwelling will not be unduly prominent to the street scene as the scale and design of the neighbouring properties is highly varied;

·         There have been no highways or drainage objections and the development accords with national and local plan policies.

Judy Roberts, one of the ward councillors, spoke in objection to the application.

The committee considered the application, with advice from officers where appropriate.

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

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P16/V1493/FUL subject to the following conditions: