Issue - meetings

Refused reasons to be set out in the minutes

The Committee considered application 17/01233/OUT, an outline application for the development of land to the west of Banbury Railway Station to comprise 44 apartments all within Use Class C3; provision of vehicular and cycle parking together with all necessary internal roads and footpaths; provision of open space and associated landscape works; and ancillary works and structures at Caravan Park, Station Approach, Banbury, OX16 5AB for Land Group (Banbury) Ltd.

Stephen Hinsley, agent for the applicant, addressed the committee in support of the application.

In reaching their decision, the committee considered the officer’s report, presentation, written update and address of the public speaker.

Resolved

That application 17/01233/OUT be refused for the following reasons:

1.               The proposal for the development of this small part of the Canalside regeneration area is contrary to the requirements of Policy Ban 1 of the adopted Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 in that in the absence of a Supplementary Planning Document or detailed strategic site-wide masterplan it is not possible to form a view on how the proposal will fit in with the overall aspirations of the strategic site and how it will contribute towards the creation of a single integrated community. In these circumstances the proposal may prejudice the development of adjacent sites and may frustrate the provision of necessary infrastructure across the wider site.

2.               The Local Planning Authority consider that the access way which will provide vehicular access to the site is inadequate to also serve as the pedestrian access to the site and whilst alternative access for pedestrians may be possible along the canal towpath this has not been secured through agreement with the land owner and a Section 106 agreement and will therefore be contrary to Policy SLE4 of the adopted Cherwell Local Plan.

3.               In the absence of a satisfactory Planning Obligation, the Local Planning Authority is not convinced that the necessary infrastructure directly required both on and off site as a result of this development, in the interests of safeguarding public infrastructure, mitigating highway concerns, delivering mixed and balanced communities by the provision of affordable housing and securing future site maintenance arrangements will be provided. This would be contrary to Policy INF1, BSC2, BSC9, BSC11 and ESD7 of the adopted Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 and Government advice within the National Planning Policy Framework.