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 arrangements. The chair went on to note that Mr Rawling, a previous Chief Planning Officer at Vale of White Horse District Council, had brought to his attention that the 8 April 2024 would mark 50 years since the first meeting of the Vale of White Horse District Council planning committee. The chair agreed with the sentiments Mr Rawling had expressed in congratulating the committee on being the most visible democratic interface between local government and the populace.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Scott Houghton, who was substituted for Councillor Robert Clegg, and Councillor Mike Pighills, who was substituted for Councillor Amos Duveen.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the Planning Committee minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2024. 

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 6 March 2024 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 had attended a protest in relation to the construction of the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) and as such it may be perceived that he was pre-determined in relation to item 7 on the agenda, P23/V2559/FUL. Councillor Batstone confirmed that he would stand down from the committee and not participate in the debate or vote for this item.

Councillors Robert Clegg and Robert Maddison declared that they were ward members for item 8 on the agenda, P23/V2852/S73. Councillors Clegg and Maddison 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.

Temporary Clay Compaction Trial (including compaction trials, pit, with associated stockpiles and topsoil mounds), construction compound, security fencing, access tracks and formation of access from Hanney Road, overground surface water drainage pipe, alongside other associated works (as amplified by landscape information received 18 January 2024 and amended / additional information received 14 February 2024).

Councillor Ron Batstone declared a non-registerable interest in this item as a result of his attendance at a protest against the construction of South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO). 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/V2559/FUL for the temporary clay compaction trial (including compaction trials, pit, with associated stockpiles and topsoil mounds), construction compound, security fencing, access tracks and formation of access from Hanney Road, overground surface water drainage pipe, alongside other associated works (as amplified by landscape information received 18 January 2024 and amended / additional information received 14 February 2024), on land to the south of Hanney Road, Cow Common, OX13 6AP.

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 introduced the report and highlighted that the application came before the committee at the request of the local ward member. The application sought temporary permission for engineering works associated with a clay compaction trial. The results of the trial would inform SESRO construction. The planning officer informed the committee that the application did not consider the wider reservoir proposal and that this would be a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and would be assessed under the relevant legislation by central government.

The planning officer advised there had been two updates since the publication of the agenda. One further letter of objection had been received from a resident raising concerns regarding the reservoir proposal. The second update was that the County Archaeologist had responded advising that a number of archaeological features had been identified at the south of the site and whilst it was not believed these would be impacted by the trial works, vehicular movements to and from the site could cause damage. As such, an additional condition was requested for the provision of protective fencing around these areas.

The planning officer then went through the plans and advised the committee that the site was flat and currently in agricultural use. There were no landscape or ecology designations and no designated heritage assets nearby. The site was largely in flood zone one but a small section of the site connecting to Cow Common Brook fell into flood zone three.

The planning officer advised the committee that the application sought consent for a period of up to 12 months to carry out the trial which included the creation of a borrow pit and removal and storage of top soil. She went on to inform the committee a compound would be constructed on the frontage of the site but there would be an earth mound screening this with access to the site being from Hanney Road. The planning officer advised there would also be water storage and treatment areas on the site before water was discharged into the brook. She also showed the committee section plans of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

Variation of condition 1(Approved plans), 3 (TOUCAN crossing) and 4(Surface Water Drainage in accordance with approved details) in application P23/V0101/S73. Amended drainage plan submitted 29 January 2024 and amended highways plans received 23 February 2024. s73 application to vary conditions 2(approved plans) & 5(surface water drainage) on application P21/V0024/FUL to allow an alternative drainage system to be installed.

Councillors Robert Clegg and Robert Maddison declared a non-registerable interest in this item as they were local ward members. Councillors Clegg and Maddison 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/V2852/S73 for the Variation of condition 1 (Approved plans), 3 (TOUCAN crossing) and 4 (Surface Water Drainage in accordance with approved details) in application P23/V0101/S73. Amended drainage plan submitted 29 January 2024 and amended highways plans received 23 February 2024. s73 application to vary conditions 2(approved plans) and 5(surface water drainage) on application P21/V0024/FUL to allow an alternative drainage system to be installed, on Land at Aldi Stores Ltd Wootton Road Abingdon.

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 introduced the report and highlighted that the application came before the committee at the request of the chair.

The planning officer informed the committee that the application sought changes to the approved highway access and timeframe for completion of the drainage and toucan crossing. She informed the committee that Paul Harrison, an officer from the local highways authority, was present to answer any questions they may have in relation to highways matters. The planning officer confirmed that the store and associated access had been constructed. The planning officer advised that when originally submitted the application sought to retain the access as built which involved the removal of a raised table and of give way markings for cyclists and vehicles compared to the approved scheme. She informed the committee that through negotiations with the local highways authority the proposal now included give way markings for vehicles and cyclists and the requirement that the TOUCAN crossing be implemented within 6 months. However, due to safety reasons, the raised table would not be reinstated. This was accepted by the local highways authority.

The planning officer advised that an amendment was proposed to condition 3 to require that the revised access works were completed within 6 months. She informed the committee that the local highways authority had advised that this was a reasonable time period for implementation of these works.

The planning officer concluded that overall, officers were satisfied that the amended access arrangements would maintain priority for pedestrians and cyclists along the existing combined path. The application was therefore recommended for approval subject to the conditions set out in the agenda.

Mark Giddins, spoke on behalf of Abingdon Town Council, on the application.

Alan Williams, the agent representing the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Councillors Andy Foulsham and Robert Maddison, local ward councillors, spoke on the application.

The committee asked the highways officer if they felt that the TOUCAN crossing had been located correctly and if it would be possible to move it if they were of the view it could be situated better. The highways officer confirmed that the crossing had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.