Agenda item

Demolition of modern side and rear extensions, the remodelling of Crescent House, a new building to provide boarding accommodation and a link corridor to link the new building to Crescent House (as amplified by amended plans and further information received 28 August 2020; 22 September 2020; 1 October 2020; 6 December 2020 and 9 February 2021).

The committee considered application P19/V3213/FUL for the demolition of modern side and rear extensions, the remodelling of Crescent House, a new building to provide boarding accommodation and a link corridor to link the new building to Crescent House (as amplified by amended plans and further information received 28 August 2020; 22 September 2020; 1 October 2020; 6 December 2020 and 9 February 2021), at Crescent House, 21 Park Crescent, 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. Members of the committee had attended a site visit to Crescent House on 29 March 2021.

The planning officer reported that this application sought to demolish modern side and rear extensions and build a new large three-storey linked extension to the rear of Crescent House. The extension would include three separate, but linked sections, leaving Crescent House mostly in its original state. Extracts of the key proposed plans were attached at appendix 2 to the report. The proposed accommodation would be below the ridge line of Crescent House and in appearance would be subservient to it. Planning officers considered that the proposal represented less than substantial harm, as the scheme would only be visible from a small number of locations and the building would be largely hidden from Albert Park.

The committee noted that this application had been submitted in conjunction with applications to extend Austin House (P19/V3211/FUL and P19/V3212/LB), which also sought a three-storey extension to consolidate boarding accommodation on the eastern part of the school site. The planning officer reported that whilst the Crescent House proposal was a separate application, to be considered on its own merits, it was part of the wider masterplan to upgrade the school’s boarding facilities. This application did not seek an increase in the number of pupils attending or boarding at the site but sought to consolidate existing accommodation which was scattered amongst different buildings.  This was a high-quality scheme, bringing benefit to the school and to Abingdon.

Mr. Bryan Brown, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application.

Mr. Frank Wright, a local resident, spoke objecting to the application.

Mr. Steven Sensecall, the agent, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Eric de la Harpe, a local ward councillor, spoke to the application.

In response to a question regarding the probable effect upon the street scene and necessary landscaping, the planning officer reported that a scheme for good quality landscaping and planting had been agreed with the developer, which would also incorporate low level lighting; proposed planning condition 6 covered the implementation of a submitted landscaping scheme. In answer to a related question regarding tree protection, the planning officer reported that proposed condition 3 dealt with the protection and safeguarding of existing trees.

A motion moved and seconded, to grant planning permission was carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P19/V3213/FUL for the following reasons;

Standard conditions

1.         Full Planning Permission – three-year commencement

2.         Development in accordance with the approved plans          

Pre-commencement conditions

3.         Tree Protection (submission of final Arboricultural Method Statement and details)                      

4.         Construction Traffic Management Plan

5.         Schedule of Materials (Photographs)            

Pre-occupation conditions

6.         Submitted Landscaping scheme implementation

7.         Submitted Drainage scheme implementation           

8.         Submitted Sustainable Design Features - as approved

Compliance conditions

9.         Submitted Ecology Mitigation          

10.       Submitted External Lighting – no further lighting with LPA approval                    

The meeting closed at 7.50pm