Issue - meetings

Refused reasons to be set out in the minutes

The Committee considered application 18/01158/F for the change of use from B1(a) offices to provide 25 No residential apartments with ancillary parking, bin storage and amenity area (Resubmission of 17/02167/F) at The Old Malthouse, St Johns Road, Banbury for Mr M Morrison, Morrison Property Consultants Limited.

Johannes Paul, speaking on behalf of Omlet, addressed the committee in objection. This address also covered the subsequent application.

Mark Morrison, agent for the applicant, addressed the committee in support to the application. This address also covered the subsequent application.

In reaching their decision, the committee considered the officers’ report, presentation and address of the public speakers.

Resolved

That application 18/01158/F be refused for the following reasons:

1.               The applicant has failed to demonstrate through a robust marketing exercise that the site is no longer viable to be retained for its existing employment use. The proposed development would therefore lead to the unjustified loss of employment land in a sustainable location and result in economic harm contrary to Policy SLE1 of the Cherwell Local Plan Part 1 (2015) and advice in the NPPF.

2.               The proposed development would result in less than substantial harm to the significance of the listed building and conservation area through alterations to the roof to provide the residential accommodation, subdivision of the internal space and also through the number and extent of roof lights proposed on the building.  This harm is not supported by clear and convincing justification and it is not considered, based on the evidence provided, that residential use of the building is the optimum viable use of the building. The social and economic benefits arising from the scheme would not outweigh this harm.  The proposal is therefore contrary to Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework, Policy ESD 15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 and saved Policy C18 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996.