Issue - meetings

Refused against officer reccomendation. Reasons to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application 23/02355/F for the demolition of an existing building and construction of 32 No apartments together with landscaping, car parking, bin stores, secure cycle parking and associated infrastructure - re-submission of 21/02573/F - at Waverley House, Queens Avenue, Bicester, OX26 2PY for GG Oxford Investments Ltd.

Councillor Sibley addressed the Committee as Local Ward Member. Councillor Sibley then left the meeting for the rest of the item.

Pastor James Adeyemi from The Redeemed Christian Church of God addressed the Committee in objection to the application.

Joe Bennett, on behalf of the agent for the applicant, RCA Regeneration Limited, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officers’ report, presentation, addresses from the public speakers and the written updates.

Contrary to the officers’ recommendation, it was proposed by Councillor Broad and seconded by Councillor Watkins that application 23/02355/F be refused, on the grounds the proposed development does not make good use of an existing building that could be used for other purposes required by the residents and town of Bicester; that there is no provision for viable affordable of social housing and is contrary to policies ESD15, BSC1 and BSC3 of the  Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1, Policies C28 and C30 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

Resolved

That against the officer’s recommendation, application 23/02355/F be refused. The exact wording of the reason for refusal be delegated to the Assistant Director for Planning and Development.