Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any announcements from the chair, and general housekeeping matters.

The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, outlined the procedure to be followed and advised on emergency evacuation arrangements.

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

Councillors Jenny Hannaby and Janet Shelly tendered apologies.

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

Councillors Ron Batstone and Ben Mabbett stood down from application P21/V1096/FUL as they were local ward members.

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. 

None.

To receive any statements from members of the public that have registered to speak on planning applications which are being presented to this committee meeting. 

The 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.

Outline planning permission for residential development of up to 90 dwellings (Use Class C3) including means of access into the site (not internal roads) and associated highway works, with all other matters (relating to appearance, landscaping, scale and layout) reserved (as per the updated air quality assessment received on 11 November 2020, drainage technical note 29 March 2021, Frilford Lights technical note 31 March 2021 and Frilford lights mitigation 23 July 2021).

The committee considered application P20/V1388/O for outline planning permission for residential development of up to 90 dwellings (Use Class C3) including means of access into the site (not internal roads) and associated highway works, with all other matters (relating to appearance, landscaping, scale and layout) reserved (as per the updated air quality assessment received on 11 November 2020, drainage technical note 29 March 2021, Frilford Lights technical note 31 March 2021 and Frilford lights mitigation 23 July 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 provided the context of the application’s return to the committee, explaining that the committee had deferred the application on the 8^th September 2021 in order to receive further clarification and new information on;

1.     School capacity

2.     Foul water flooding

3.     Primary care

4.     Air quality

5.     Frilford junction

6.     Cycle access

7.     A Members site visit

The planning officer went through each category and provided the committee with an update to what new information had been collected and how they would contribute to the overall impact to the local area, should planning permission for the application be granted. The committee were also told that all reasons for a deferral had been solved and that while some collisions had occurred on the A415, that there was no particular pattern to the collisions. Additionally, it was noted that while there had been a fatal collision six years prior involving a cyclist, there had been no recorded fatal collisions since. The planning officer therefore held the view that subject to the conditions proposed and a Section 106 agreement, officers were satisfied with the application and recommended that planning permission be granted.

Michael Hoath, representative of Marcham Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application.

A question was asked about the level of traffic passing the site and whether any arrangements had been proposed for entrances, crossing points, and a widening of the road and footways. The response was that an entrance had been added to the east of the site. Mr Hoath explained that there were five exits to a similar site within 300 metres and that a better layout would have been to have a north-east exit and mini-roundabout. The parish council therefore considered the site layout to be poor in design.

Ed Barrett, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

In response to questions from the committee regarding electric vehicle charging points, Mr Barrett explained that the majority of houses would have electric vehicle charging points. Mr Barrett also responded to a question on discussions with Thames Water that talks were ongoing, but that he expected this to be completed towards the end of the year and confirmed that houses would not be occupied until Thames Water work had been completed.

The committee asked the planning officer whether based on the number of technical issues raised, did the application have a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Outline planning application with all matters reserved (other than access into the site) for the proposed mixed-use development of up to 95 residential dwellings and business space (Use Classes B1 and B8) (totalling 1,500 sqm), open space, landscaping, drainage measures and all other associated works.

The committee considered application P20/V0855/O for outline planning application with all matters reserved (other than access into the site) for the proposed mixed use development of up to 95 residential dwellings and business space (Use Classes B1 and B8) (totalling 1,500 sqm), open space, landscaping, drainage measures and all other associated works.

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 explained the background to the current application, explaining that the committee originally considered the application on the 18^th August 2021, but had deferred the application in order to receive further information that had been requested. Since the deferral, the applicant had amended their proposal to increase employment opportunity from increased commercial floor space. It was confirmed that the site would include fifteen percent of the site area as public open space. The planning officer also explained that the proposed link for public transport, cyclists, and private motor vehicles were deemed acceptable, and that the amended application would maximise viable commercial space on the site, with a mixed use scheme not undermining the sustainable provision of possible employment opportunities.

Dr Mike Wise, representative of Faringdon Town Council, spoke in objection to the application.

The committee asked Mr Wise whether he had a preference towards what pedestrian crossing the parish would prefer to be added to assist pedestrians using the A420. Mr Wise stated that the parish would be satisfied with any form of crossing added, as their view was that the current road was not safe for pedestrians, although of the options, a bridge or subway tunnel would be most preferable.

Sarah Allen-Stevens and Richard Anstis, local residents, spoke in objection to the application.

The speakers were asked by the committee what businesses would be operated if the site was owned as an eco-business park. Mrs Allen-Stevens confirmed it would not be logistical businesses but would likely focus manufacturing.

Tim Burden, the agent, spoke in support of the application.

David Grant, local ward member, spoke in objection to the application.

The committee raised a question on what conditions the local ward member would seek for the application to improve the safety concerns. Councillor Grant explained that for the bridleway crossing, there needed to be a safer designated crossing area. Councillor Grant also requested further clarification pedestrian and cycle links which would be added to other access areas. A further question was raised by the committee to the speaker on core policy 29 of the local plan, and the discussions that took place between the ward member and planning officers. Councillor Grant explained that the policy had not been well written and there had been a difference in interpretation of the policy between himself and officers. Councillor Grant explained that they had not reached an agreement on the interpretation of the wording of the policy.

In response to a question from the committee on the history of the site and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Reconstruction and enlargement of scout hall (as amended by plans and additional information received 24 June 2021, 1 July 2021 and 8 September 2021).

Councillors Ron Batstone and Ben Mabbett, local ward members, stood down from the committee for the duration of the item.

The committee considered application P21/V1096/FUL for the reconstruction and enlargement of scout hall (as amended by plans and additional information received 24 June 2021, 1 July 2021 and 8 September 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.

Councillor Ben Mabbett, local ward member, spoke in support of the application.

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/V1096/FUL, subject to the following conditions;

Standard

1.     Commencement of development within three years

2.     Development in accordance with approved plans

Pre-Commencement

3.     Details of materials to be submitted

4.     Surface water drainage scheme to be submitted

5.     Foul water drainage scheme to be submitted

6.     Tree protection details to be submitted

7.     Landscaping scheme to be submitted

8.     Phased contaminated land risk assessment to be submitted

Pre-Occupancy

9.     Compliance with remediation report and submission of validation report

10. Installation of bat box on site

Compliance

11.Restriction on usable floor space