<AI1>
Pl.44 Chair's announcements
The chair
welcomed the two new members to the committee, Councillor Cheryl
Briggs and Councillor Ben Mabbett.
</AI1>
<AI2>
Pl.45 Apologies for absence
There were no
apologies for absence.
</AI2>
<AI3>
Pl.46 Declarations of
interest
There were no
declarations of interest.
</AI3>
<AI4>
Pl.47 Urgent business
There was no
urgent business.
</AI4>
<AI5>
Pl.48 Public participation
A list showing
members of the public who had registered to speak had been sent to
the committee prior to the meeting. Statements received from the
public were circulated to the committee prior to the
meeting.
</AI5>
<AI6>
Pl.49 P21/V0293/FUL - Land at Park Farm,
East Challow
The committee
considered application P21/V0293/FUL for a variation of conditions
1 (approved plans), 5 (car parking) & 6 (boundary details in
accordance with specific plan) on application P18/V0744/RM.
Reserved Matters application following Outline Approval P16/V0652/O
(as varied by application no. P17/V2884/FUL) for the appearance,
landscaping, layout and scale. Development of up to 88 dwellings
including 40% affordable housing, landscaping and other associated
works with all matters reserved with the exception of access) on
land at Park Farm, East Challow.
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 reported that the application site formed part of a wider
area on which the council had permitted 88 dwellings and that
development had commenced, with some dwellings completed and others
under construction. This application would not increase the number
of dwellings on the site and, if approved, would result in a
cumulative decrease in floor space by some 109.4 sqm. The applicant
had proposed changes in relation to eight approved house types
within the scheme; there were no changes in the overall number of
dwellings and all proposed house types were compliant with the
‘nationally described space standards’. The change in
housing mix, if approved, would result in the loss of one 2-bedroom
unit and a gain of one 5-bedroom unit. There were also
proposed adjustments to the boundaries of certain plots, resulting
in one garage and parking space being re-located and a double
garage being replaced with a single garage (its associated plot
being reduced from 4-beds to 3). Also, some hardstanding between
two plots would be replaced by green space. There were some minor
adjustments to garden sizes, but it was emphasised that these
revised areas continued to comply with policy guidance. The
proposed changes were considered necessary to align more closely
with present housing market demand. The planning officer advised
the committee that these proposed changes would require alterations
to the relevant proposed planning conditions (conditions 1, 5 and
6) and that the recommended revised wording was set out in appendix
1.
Mr. Nicholas
Daruwalla, the applicant, spoke in support of the
application. He stated that the developer was most supportive
of proposed condition 7, for ‘electric charging point for
each dwelling with on plot parking’, which was beyond the
council’s climate change requirements and would result in an
improved application. In response to a question relating to reasons
for the changes in housing mix, the applicant responded that at the
present time the market required mid-sized housing, compared with
executive style properties, as the latter category were taking
longer to sell. Therefore, the changes should help to increase
occupancy rates.
The democratic
services officer had sent to the committee prior to the meeting a
statement by Mr. Steve Gillott.
In response to
a question regarding the relationship of this planning application
and a possible future application, the planning officer displayed a
plan depicting the extent of an alternative layout which might be
completed, which could result in a different layout, but it was
emphasised that the plot changes being considered in the
application at this meeting would remain unchanged.
In response to
a question regarding paragraph 1.9 of the report, which stated that
‘there would be an uplift of 11 dwellings on the Park Farm
overall’, the planning officer stated that the committee were
being requested to consider this application’s area only, and
that a future undetermined application for an uplift of 10
dwellings, had the possibility of resulting in an uplift of 1
dwelling.
In response to
a question regarding possible changes to the S.106 agreement to
reflect the proposed changes to the housing mix, the planning
officer reported that variations were permitted without the need
for a new agreement, The alterations, which did not increase house
numbers, would not have implications for increased traffic
generation and therefore there would be no further mitigation
required in respect of highways safety, and consequently no
additional financial contribution would be required. With respect
to a question regarding the number of 4-bedroom houses, the
planning officer confirmed that this proposal was in line with the
Strategic Housing Market Assessment for market housing. In response
to a further question regarding paragraph 5.21 and Thames
Water’s involvement, the planning officer reported that as
that agency had signed off on the original application and that
there was no proposed change to house numbers, there was no
expectation of a response to the variation.
The committee
considered that the retention of the 40 percent affordable standard
on this site was to be supported and that the minor changes to
house types and plots would not affect residential amenity and
would help with the quicker occupancy of the 20 affordable units.
Additionally, the proposals for electric vehicle charging points
and revised landscaping, incorporating additional street trees,
were welcomed.
A motion moved
and seconded, to grant planning permission was declared carried on
being put to the vote.
RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application
P21/V0293/FUL subject to the following conditions:
1.
Approved plans
Pre-Commencement Conditions
2.
Surface and foul water drainage scheme to be agreed
Pre-Occupancy or Other Stage
Conditions
3.
Landscaping implementation
4.
Road and footway construction to each dwelling to be provided
before each occupation
5.
Parking and turning spaces for each dwelling to be provided prior
to occupation of each plot
6.
Boundary treatments as approved plans
7.
Electric charging point for each dwelling with on plot
parking
Post
Occupancy Monitoring and Management Conditions
8.
Construction hours – 7.30 to 18.00 Monday to Friday 8.00 to
13.00 Saturday no works on Sunday or bank holidays
Informative
1.
Broadband provision
</AI6>
<AI7>
Pl.50 P21/V0167/FUL and P21/S0274/FUL -
Land at Former Didcot 'A' Power Station, Milton Road,
Didcot
The committee
considered applications P21/V0167/FUL and P21/S0274/FUL for a
hybrid planning application consisting of the following, on land at the former Didcot ‘A’
Power Station, Milton Road, Didcot;
a) Full
Planning Application for the erection of a single storey 8,692
m2
Data Centre building (containing
data halls, associated electrical and AHU Plant Rooms, loading bay,
maintenance and storage space, office administration areas and
screened plant at roof level), emergency generators and emission
stacks, diesel tanks and filling area, electrical switch room, a
water sprinkler pump room and storage tanks, a gate house /
security building, MV substation, site access, internal access
roads, drainage infrastructure, hard and soft landscaping
and
b) Outline
Planning Application for the erection of a two storey 20,800
m2
Data Centre building (containing
data halls, associated electrical and AHU Plant Rooms, loading bay,
maintenance and storage space, office administration areas and
screened plant at roof level), emergency generators and emission
stacks, diesel tanks and filling area, electrical switch room, a
water sprinkler pump room and storage tanks; details of appearance
will be reserved, along with hard landscaping immediately around
the building (as amended by plans and documents received 5th May
2021).
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 reported that as hybrid applications, permission was being
sought for a single - storey data centre building and related
buildings and works, and an outline application for a larger, two
– storey building, with landscaping and related buildings.
Landscaping and appearance were reserved matters. With
reference to paragraph 1.4 of the report, the planning officer
confirmed that the land lay within the Didcot Garden Town zone, and
not within the zone of influence, as had been stated. Also, as this
was a cross-boundary application, the South Oxfordshire District
Council (SODC) Planning Committee would be considering the
application on 30 June 2021.
The planning
officer reported that the development plan for this proposal
comprised the adopted Vale Local Plan 2031, Part 1 (LPP1), the
adopted Vale Local Plan 2031, Part 2 (LPP2) and the adopted SODC
Local Plan 2035 (SOLP). There was currently no made or draft
neighbourhood plan for Sutton Courtenay or Didcot. The site was
allocated for redevelopment in LPP1 and through the grant of
outline planning permissions, which remained extant, the principle
of commercial development at this location had been
established. Development of the site for the data centre use
(Use Class B8) complied with policies CP6 and CP16 of LPP1 and
policies STRAT1 and STRAT3 of the SOLP, and was therefore
acceptable in principle, unless material considerations indicated
otherwise.
The planning
officer reported that height of the development was acceptable to
officers, and the proposed design would represent a positive
contribution to the surrounding area. The proposed
landscaping was also acceptable, and it was considered that the
development would have no detrimental impact upon the amenity of
existing or future residents in developments adjacent to the south
west corner of the site. Transport and highway safety issues
would not present any problems, and the impact on the existing
roads network was considered to be negligible. Officers considered
that these applications would considerably benefit the future
mixed-use development of the wider Didcot power station site.
The parking arrangements for vehicles and cycles on the site were
acceptable and the size and width dimensions for the proposed
frontage landscape bund were satisfactory. There were adequate
measures for species protection and, in terms of biodiversity,
there would be a net gain at this site. There were no
outstanding matters in respect of drainage and land contamination.
The committee was recommended to approve the applications, subject
to conditions, as set out in the report and to the conclusion of a
legal agreement.
Camilla Fisher,
on behalf of the developer, spoke in support of the
applications.
Councillor
Richard Webber, the local ward councillor, spoke to the
applications.
The planning
officer responded to points made by Councillor Webber. It was
confirmed that the committee was being asked to permit both units;
the only matters reserved for Unit 2 were in respect of its
appearance and landscaping. The concerns of the Sutton Courtenay
Parish Council regarding possible standard B8 use with associated
heavy goods vehicle movements were acknowledged; any alternative
use would require planning permission; this proposal related to a
data centre only. Landscaping proposals had been worked up
with the countryside officer and the landscape officer, and
biodiversity, landscaping and visual impacts were acceptable, with
alterations having been made. The Oxfordshire County Council (OCC)
was leading on the production of a construction traffic management
plan, which specifically included wheel washing facilities. There
had been discussions with the developer regarding heat generation
in the interests of ‘greener’ solutions, but at present
there was no possibility of an outlet for piping-off heat to
residential properties in the area, primarily because of existing
infrastructure. However, an amendment to the application confirmed
that there were now plans for excess heat to be used for offices on
the site. A Community Employment Plan was being prepared prior to
the occupation of Unit 1, which allowed construction of Unit 1 to
proceed so as not to impede progress of
the development. The council’s economic development team and
the developer had been discussing wording for the condition
relating to Unit 2, and the signing off on the appropriate
condition, 13, was therefore proceeding well. In terms of the legal
agreement, lower contributions, compared with other types of
development would be a feature of this scheme. The reason for this
was that as the proposals were not residential, where mitigation
would be required to facilitate a population increase, for example
play areas and education, the only district council contribution
would be in respect of public art. The parish council’s
concerns about Housing Infrastructure Funds being fairly allocated
to the local area were noted and the committee was advised that OCC
had been carefully monitoring the situation.
Also in
response to a question, the planning officer reported that it was
intended that a publicly accessible route would be provided around
the data centre site, incorporating a route by the watercourse,
down the western boundary, coming out on to Milton Road (not under
the carriageway) and merge with the cycleway on the main road. The
delivery of this route would be fully compliant with OCC standards.
Responding to a further question regarding landscaping and possible
pre-planting, the planning officer reported that proposed condition
12 dealt with minor landscaping. Pre- planting had not been
specifically discussed with the developer, but would feature in the
landscaping scheme ahead of the publicly accessible route being
delivered.
The committee
concluded that the application represented a good use of the land,
with commendable biodiversity measures and good revised landscaping
proposals, and that it should be supported.
A motion moved
and seconded, to grant planning permission was declared carried on
being put to the vote.
RESOLVED: that authority to grant planning permission
for applications P21/V0167/ P21/S0274/FUL is delegated to the head
of planning subject to;
(a) The
completion of a S.106 legal agreement and
(b) The
following conditions:
1.
Approved Plans
2.
Submission of Reserved Matters for unit 2
3.
Commencement of full permission
4.
Commencement of outline permission
5.
Materials in accordance with approved plans
6.
Energy statement verification – unit 1
7.
Energy statement submission – unit 2
8.
Energy statement verification – unit 2
9.
Foul and surface water drainage scheme for unit 2 to be
agreed
10. Drainage
construction compliance report before occupation
11.
Contaminated land remediation strategy prior to
occupation
12. Revised
landscape scheme to be agreed prior to occupation
13.
Community Employment Plan to be agreed prior to
occupation
14. Vehicle
and cycle parking provision in accordance with approved plans prior
to occupation
15.
Construction Traffic Management Plan
16. Tree
Protection
17. Lighting
in accordance with approved plans
18. Diesel
generator testing
19.
Emergency use of generators
20. Travel
plan implementation
21.
Restricted use – Data centre only
22. No extra
office floor space without permission
23.
Informative – land drainage consent
24.
Informative – contaminated land
25.
Informative – planning obligation
The meeting closed at 7.05 pm
