Any statements, petitions, and questions from the public under standing order 32 will be made or presented at the meeting.
Minutes:
Seven members of the public had requested to address Cabinet on the proposed local development order for the Science Vale UK Enterprise Zone.
1. Sutton Courtenay Parish Councilchairman Mike Jenkins made a statement broadly welcoming the proposed local development order for Milton Park but expressing concern at the inclusion of land to the north of the existing site, known as Kelaart’s Field. The parish council believed this site should be omitted from the local development order. He also expressed concerns at the potential for increased noise disturbance to local residents from use of the business park and expressed concern at light pollution but was pleased to see that conditions had been included in the order to control the latter. Finally, he suggested that there should be a stakeholder group involving MEPC, Milton Park’s owners, and the local community.
2. Mr Martin Woodgett spoke on behalf of over 200 petitioners against the proposed expansion of Milton Park into Kelaart’s Field, thereby closing the gap to the nearest homes. He also expressed concern at the poor public consultation process that left little time for residents to prepare their case. He supported the views expressed by Sutton Courtenay Parish Council and added that Milton Parish Council held similar views. He believed that Moor Ditch should be retained as the park’s northern boundary and referred to the archaeological potential of the site to the north. He urged Cabinet not to urbanise Kelaart’s Field by expanding the park to the north.
3. Gwendolyn McEwen representing Milton villagers questioned whether the council had studied the implications of the planning conditions in the proposed local development order and whether the council had sufficient resources to enforce the conditions. She asked why Kelaart’s Field had been included in the order, and she asked why there was a car dealership in the area marked on the plan as MP5.
4. John Wattam reported that he understood the bigger picture but urged the council not to forget the effect on local people. He asked Cabinet to reflect on the proposals and the concerns of local residents and reshape the local development order. He urged the council not to damage the site.
5. James Walton, a Sutton Courtenay resident, welcomed the Science Vale UK concept but: (1) asked that Kelaart’s Field was excluded from the order, (2) urged the council to review acceptable uses of the site (e.g. business in the scientific industry, not car dealerships), and (3) asked the council to consider the implications of Didcot A Power Station that was due to be decommissioned in 2013 and the land this would offer for expansion of Milton Park.
6. Philip Campbell, was acting as agent for MEPC, Milton Park’s owners. He supported the proposed local development order as it encouraged science-based companies to the area. He believed that there were sufficient planning controls in the order, providing a clear framework for the development of the site. He reported that the park was currently 90 per cent occupied and there would be no expansion into the green field areas yet. Kelaart’s Field was in the enterprise zone and was likely to be one of the last sites MEPC would develop. He reported that MEPC would set up a liaison group with local residents. Finally, he reported receipt of a letter from the Prime Minister in support of the proposed local development order.
1. James Iles, planning consultant for MEPC, believed that Milton Park was well suited to a local development order as it would allow development without the high cost of the planning process. The order would set out the planning parameters for the whole site. He believed that MEPC had exceeded the public consultation requirements. The buffer between the extended site and the nearest homes was over 300 meters and he pointed out that there had been no objection from English Heritage. The field to the north of the expanded site would still be publicly accessible, even though it was in MEPC’s ownership. There would be improvements to the road system through a legal agreement. He also believed that a variety of uses at the park contributed to a range of jobs.
Councillor Dudley Hoddinott, a non-Cabinet member, asked to address Cabinet on the exempt item later in the meeting, on West Way, Botley.