Agenda and 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 arrnagements.

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

None.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the Planning Committee minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2023. 

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 29 Novemebr 2023 as a correct record and agree that the Chair sign these as such.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests and non-registrable interests or any conflicts of interest in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.

Councillor Ron Batstone declared that he was ward member for item 7 on the agenda, P23/V1198/S73. Councillor Batstone confirmed that he would stand down from the committee and not participate in the debate or vote for this item.

Councillors Scott Houghton and Val Shaw declared that they were ward members for item 9 on the agenda, P23/V0508/FUL. Councillors Houghton and Shaw confirmed that they would stand down from the committee and not participate in the debate or vote for this item.

To receive notification of any matters which the chair determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent. 

There was no urgent business.

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 committee noted the list of the members of the public who had registered to speak at the meeting.

Variation of conditions 12 (Habitat restoration method statement) and 13 (Letcombe Brook Bridge details) on application reference number P16/V0981/O in order to commence Phase 1B. (as amended by programme submitted 2 August 2023, condition wording submitted 19 September 2023 and 20 October 2023).

(Application for outline planning permission for up to 400 dwellings, extension to the Grove CE primary school, associated landscaping and infrastructure with all matters except access reserved.)

Councillor Ron Batstone declared a non-registerable interest in this item as he was local ward member. Councillor Batstone stood down from the committee during the consideration of this application and did not participate in the debate or vote.

The committee considered planning application P23/V1198/S73 for the approval for variation of Conditions 12 (Habitat Restoration Method Statement) and Condition 13 (Letcombe Brook Bridge) on application reference P16/V0981/O in order to regularise works commenced in phase 1B on land at Monks Farm, Grove, OX12 0AH.

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.

The officer introduced the report highlighting this was brought to committee due to objections from Grove Parish Council. It was a Section 73 application amending two conditions of a previous outline consent for part of the Monks Farm strategic site. The outline consent was for up to 400 dwellings, an extension to Grove CE primary school, associated landscaping and infrastructure and was approved in April 2021. Since approval of outline consent, reserved matters consent had been given to 83 dwellings known as phase 1B in the south of the site.

The officer informed the committee that commencement of construction of housing and infrastructure had begun in phase 1B.

The officer then informed the committee of the application to amend Condition 12 which in the outline consent required, a Habitat Restoration Method Statement for the Letcombe Brook corridor to be submitted and approved prior to work commencing on site. The officer then informed the committee of the location of the brook in relation to the site.

The officer informed the committee that an application to discharge this condition had been made and since the publication of the agenda comments had been made by the Environment Agency who raised no objections. However, officers were still awaiting a response from the Ecology Officer.

The planning officer then informed the committee on the proposed amended wording to the condition, that being the submission and approval of the method statement prior to first occupation within phase 1B and prior to commencement of any other phase, except 1B.

The planning officer then informed the committee that at the time of the outline consent and associated conditions it was envisaged that the phasing of construction would happen from east to west. However, works had commenced in phase 1B in the south-west of the site.

The officer noted the statement from the applicant that the Letcombe Brook area would not be impacted by the construction of phase 1B. The officer noted that the wording for the condition would allow works in phase 1B to continue prior to submission and approval of the method statement.

Variations of different wording were considered following consultation with the Environment Agency and the Ecology Officer. Both were happy with the proposed amended wording.

Officers believed that the proposed amended wording would not have a detrimental impact to the priority habitat of the Letcombe Brook  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

Reserved Matters following Outline Permission (P15/V2541/O) for appearance, layout and scale for the development of a retail unit up to 400 sqm and associated highways works. (as amended by plans received 7 July 2023 and 29 November 2023).

The committee considered planning application P21/V1217/RM for the approval of reserved matters following outline permission (P15/V2541/O) for appearance and, layout and scale for the development of a retail unit up to 400 Square metres and associated highways works on land north of Shrivenham, Highworth Road, Shrivenham.

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 officer introduced the report highlighting this was brought to committee due to objections from Shrivenham Parish Council. Outline permission for 270 dwellings and a retail unit was approved in October 2017 and reserved matters for the residential element, comprising of 270 dwellings, were approved in February 2023.

The planning officer then laid out the location of the retail site in relation to the other phases of the site.

The officer then laid out the design and layout of the proposed buildings.

Shrivenham Parish Council had objected to the application due to the imposition of Oxfordshire County Council’s updated parking standards and the reduction in the number of parking spaces, through an amendment in the application.

Officers believed that the detail of internal access, appearance, layout, scale and landscaping were acceptable and in accordance with the Development Plan.

Details including ecological enhancement features, lighting and mechanical plant and its enclosure could be secured by conditions.

The officers recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions laid out in pages 50 – 52 of the agenda.

Becky Pull, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application was carried on being put to the vote. The committee highlighted the fact there were no material reasons to refuse the application. Members noted the benefit of having local retail areas, which avoid more people travelling into town centres and liked the design of the building.

RESOLVED: to approve planning application P21/V1217/RM, subject to the following conditions:

1. Approved plans

2. Details of materials

3. Biodiversity enhancements

4. Enclosure of plant and refuse areas

5. Electric vehicle charging points

6. Acoustic insulation of plants

7. Lighting details

8. Cycle parking

9. Servicing and delivery management plan

10.Travel plan

11. Car parking spaces

12. Implementation of landscaping scheme

Demolition of structures; erection of newbuild structures including central water feature and extensions to existing buildings; external alterations to existing buildings including new and replacement glazing / doors, thermal improvements, roof alterations installation of roof-mounted PV panels and new timber gates; introduction of external store; installation of PV solar array in south meadow; informal overflow parking area with new walkway; new guest parking area; drop-off & disabled parking area with driveway access; new service access to bin store and service area; and hard and soft landscaping works, including new pond, ground alterations associated tree works and boundary treatment (as amended by plans and information received 26 July 2023 and as amended & amplified by information received 07 November 2023 and as amended & amplified by information received 09 November 2023.).

Councillors Houghton and Shaw declared non-registerable interests in this item as they were local ward members. Councillors Houghton and Shaw stood down from the committee during the consideration of this application and did not participate in the debate or vote.

The committee considered planning application P23/V0508/FUL for the demolition of structure; erection of newbuild structures including central water feature and extensions to existing buildings; external alterations to existing buildings including new and replacement glazing/doors, thermal improvements, roof alterations installations of roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels and new timber gates; introduction of external store; installation of PV solar array in south meadow; informal overflow parking area with new walkway; new guest parking area; drop off and disabled parking area with driveway access; new service access to bin store and service area; and hard and soft landscaping works, including new pond, ground alterations associated tree works and boundary treatment (as amended by plans and information received 26 July 2023 and as amended & amplified by information received 07 November 2023 and as amended & amplified by information received 09 November 2023.), all on land at Chilswell, Carmelite Priory, Boars Hill, Oxford. 

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, before introducing his report stated that the applicant’s agent agreed to the proposed pre-commencement planning conditions. The planning officer then introduced his report highlighting the application was constrained due to its position within the green belt. The officer also noted the long use of the priory and the public footpaths set around the area.

The officer proceeded to show the committee the existing site and its access points and then went on to show what the site would look like with the proposed changes.

The planning officer then showed the committee the enhanced floor plan of the site and each level of the building. The officer noted that each bedroom within the property would be enlarged and given ensuite bathrooms but that the total number of bedrooms would be reduced from 32 to 30. The officer then showed the committee the landscaping plan which revealed the extensive levels of planting proposed on the boundaries and within the site, particularly the screen planting on the north and western boundaries.

The planning officer then showed photos of the site to the committee, both within the site and from the public rights of ways. The officer noted that looking at the topology of the area and the extensive level of tree cover, the site was practically screened from public vantage points.

The officer noted there were no technical objections to the application, the main consideration was the harm to the green belt. It was agreed that the proposal would be inappropriate development in the green belt. Officers noted that elements of the development would also harm openness and, with regard to the solar array, conflict with the purposes of the green belt.

However, officers stated that inappropriate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.