Agenda, decisions and minutes

9.       Church View, Manor Road, Great Bourton, OX17 1QP.

Councillor Chris Brant, Declaration, advised that he would speak a Local Ward Member on the item and then leave the meeting for the duration of the item after speaking as Ward Member on the item.

11.     73 High Street, Kidlington, OX5 2DN.

Councillor Dorothy Walker, Declaration, advised that she would speak a Local Ward Member on the item and then leave the meeting for the duration of the item after speaking as Ward Member on the item.

Councillor Fiona Mawson, Other Registerable Interest, as a member of Kidlington Parish Council which had been consulted on the application.

Councillor Lesley McLean, Other Registerable Interest, as a member of Kidlington Parish Council which had been consulted on the application.

The Chairman to report on any requests to address the meeting.

Please note that the deadline for requests to address the meeting is noon on the working day before the meeting. Addresses can be made virtually or in person.

The Chairman advised that requests to address the meeting would be dealt with at each item.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 April 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 April 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

The Chairman made the following announcement:

1.          Members of the public were reminded that only registered speakers were entitled to speak at the committee meeting at the time instructed by the Chairman and members of the public should remain quiet during the meeting and not cause disturbance.

2.          A reminder to Members that interests should be declared at item 2 of the agenda usually and if Members realised that they did not declare an interest before an agenda item starts, please declare your interest at the start of that agenda item. All applications should be considered with an open mind, and your decision should be based on what is before you.

3.          Members were reminded that the mandatory training for members appointed to the Planning Committee for the municipal year of 2025/26 would be held on Monday 2 June. The time would be confirmed in course.

There were no items of urgent business.

The Committee to consider requests for and proposed pre-committee site visits.

Any requests or recommendations for site visits will be published with the written update.

The Head of Development Management advised members of a potential site visit for 24/00539/F (Oxford United stadium) on 1 July 2025 ahead of the application potentially being submitted to the 3 July 2025 Planning Committee meeting. Members would be updated should timeframes change.

Approved in line with officer recommendation, subject to conditions and completion of a S106 legal agreement, details to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application 24/02541/OUT, an outline planning application (with all matters reserved except for primary means of vehicular access from the A361) for the residential development of up to 130 dwellings, alongside associated access, green and blue infrastructure (including public open space, a play area, and drainage), required ground remodelling and supporting infrastructure at Land South of 3 to 5 Hartshill Close, Bloxham for William Davis Homes, Rebecca Lyndsay Smith, Alista.

Councillor Rob Pattenden addressed the committee as Local Ward Member.

Amanda Baxter, on behalf of Bloxham Parish Council, addressed the Committee in objection to the application.

Mark Rose, agent for the application, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Hingley and seconded by Councillor Brant that application 24/02541/OUT be refused, contrary to the officer recommendation, for the reasons that there was a lack of a S106 agreement, and that the proposed development would be unsustainable as well as cause harm to the surrounding village and it was contrary to policy reasons Village 1, Village 2, ESD10, ESD13 and saved policies C28 and C30.

The proposal was debated. On being put to the vote, the motion was lost and therefore fell.

It was subsequently proposed by Councillor Watkins and seconded by Councillor Okeke that application 24/02541/OUT be approved, in line with the officer recommendation.

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officer’s report and presentation, public speakers and the written updates.   

Resolved

That, in line with the officer’s recommendation, authority be delegated to the Assistant Director for Planning and Development to grant permission for application 24/02541/OUT subject to conditions, a S106 legal agreement and subject to overcoming the objection by Thames Water.

Conditions

 Compliance with the Plans

1. Except where otherwise stipulated by conditions attached to this permission, the development shall be carried out in accordance with the application form and the following plans and documents:

·         Site location plan. Drawing no. DE 196 001.

·         Development Concept Plan. Drawing no. DE 196 003 Rev L.

·         Bloxham Movement Plan. Drawing no. DE196_006-7 Rev D.

·         Proposed Site Access Arrangement. Drawing No. 173902-ACE-XX-00-DR-C-0001 Rev D.

·         Proposed shared pedestrian and cycle access. Drawing no.173902-ACE-XX-00-DR-C-0005 Rev B.

·         Concept drainage strategy. Drawing no.17901002 Rev H

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt, to ensure that the development is carried out only as approved by the local planning authority and comply with Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

Statutory Time Limit

2. Application for approval of all the reserved matters shall be made to the Local Planning Authority before the expiration of 18 months from the date of this permission and the development hereby permitted shall be begun either before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission or before the expiration of 18 months years from the date of approval of the last of the reserved matters to be approved whichever is the later.

Reason: To comply with the provisions of Section 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by Section 51  ...  view the full minutes text for item 143.

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

The committee considered application 24/03218/F for the change of use of The Bell Inn Public House (Sui Generis Use) to use as a dwellinghouse (Class C3 Use) and associated minor external alterations to the building and works at Church View Manor Road, Great Bourton, OX17 1QP for Mr James Day.

Councillor Chris Brant addressed the Committee as Local Ward Member.

Christopher Handler, on behalf of Save the Bell Inn Group, addressed the Committee in objection to the application.

Will Whitelock, agent for the applicant, addressed the Committee in support to the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Webb and seconded by Councillor Watkins that application 24/03218/F be refused, contrary to the officer recommendation, for the reasons that the application was contrary to paragraphs P88 and P98 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and that there would be substantial socio-economic and wellbeing harm to the surrounding village. The application was also contrary to policy S29.  

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officer’s report and presentation, written updates and the addresses of the public speakers.

Resolved

That, contrary to the officer’s recommendation, application 24/03218/F be refused for the following reason:

1.         The proposal would result in the unjustified loss of the public house, a valued village service and designated Asset of Community Value. The applicant has failed to robustly demonstrate that the pub is no longer financially viable. The loss of this important community facility would cause significant harm to the social and economic well-being of the village, contrary to saved Policy S29 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996, which aims to retain community facilities, Paragraph 88 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which seeks to retain public houses, and Paragraph 98 of the NPPF, which guards against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities.

Approved in line with officer recommendation, subject to conditions, details to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application 24/03259/F for the erection of two Use Class B8 floorspace units (with ancillary office floorspace (Use Class E(G(i))) with associated infrastructure including: a building for the use as an energy centre (details of the energy generation reserved for future approval); loading bays; service yards; external plant; bin stores, vehicle parking (HGV, lorry, car and motorcycle); cycle parking, amenity areas, landscaping including permanent landscaped mounds; sustainable drainage details. Demolition of three vacant agricultural building (and two smaller structures) to the northeast corner of the site. Access from the existing Symmetry Park estate road, at Land Adjacent to Symmetry Park Morrell Way Bicester OX26 6G, for Tritax Symmetry Bicester 3 Ltd.

Louise Steele addressed the Committee as the Agent in support of the application.

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officer’s report and presentation, written updates and the addresses of the public speakers.

Resolved 

That, in line with the officer’s recommendation, authority be delegated to the Assistant Director for Planning and Development to grant permission for application 24/03259/F subject to:

(i)            The conditions set out below (and any amendments to those conditions as deemed necessary); and

(ii)          the completion of a planning obligation under section 106 of the town and country planning act 1990, as substituted by the planning and compensation act 1991, to secure the following infrastructure provisions (and any amendments to those obligations as deemed necessary);

a) Public Transport services - £83,241.26 (index linked) 

b) Walking and Cycling improvement - £80,575 (index linked) 

c) Travel Plan Monitoring - £6,530 (index linked) 

d) Payment of the District Council and County Council monitoring costs – TBC 

Conditions 

1.    The development to which this permission relates shall be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission. 

Reason - To comply with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. 

2.    The development hereby permitted shall be used only for purposes falling within Class B8 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) or any provision equivalent to that class in any statutory instrument revoking, amending or re-enacting that order and for no other purpose(s) whatsoever. 

Reason: In order to retain planning control over the use of the site and in accordance with Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework. 

3.    Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) or any statutory instrument revoking and re-enacting the Order, no more than 20% of the Use Class B8 floorspace hereby approved shall include occupation by any use for ‘Last Mile Parcel Delivery Services’. 

‘Last Mile Parcel Deliver Services’ means the movement of goods by parcels to residential and business users where product is moved from the warehouse shelf (or distribution center) to the customer’s doorstep by Light Goods Vehicle (LGV), as distinct from a retail warehouse and distribution  ...  view the full minutes text for item 145.

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

The Committee considered application 24/03350/F for retrospective planning consent for a first floor extension over an existing garage with eaves height increment to accommodate new windows at 73 High Street, Kidlington, OX5 2DN for Mr Rajinder Parshad.

Councillor Dorothy Walker addressed the committee as Local Ward Member.

Robert Packard, Local Resident, addressed the Committee in objection to the application.

Solape Shodunke, Agent, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Conway and seconded by Councillor McLean that application 24/03350/F be refused, against the officer recommendation, as it was contrary to policies ESD15, C28, C30, The Kidlington Masterplan 2016 as well as government guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (exact wording for reasons for refusal to be delegated to officers).

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officer’s report and presentation and the addresses of the public speakers.

Resolved

That, contrary to the officer’s recommendation, application 24/03350/F be refused for the following reason:

1.         The extension, by virtue of its size, scale and form, has an adverse impact on the character, appearance and significance of the application property, which is considered to be a non-designated heritage asset. The proposal therefore runs contrary to Policy ESD15 of the Cherwell

Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1, Policies C28 and C30 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996, The Kidlington Masterplan 2016 and government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

Report of Assistant Director Planning and Development

Purpose of report

To approve Cherwell District Council’s Written Representation / Individual Local Impact Report.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

Approve the written representation and individual local impact report letter for submission to the planning inspectorate. 

**No public speaking permitted on this item as it is not a planning application for determination by Cherwell District Council**

Resolved

(1)        That, unless the Monitoring Officer provides advice to the contrary and considers it appropriate, the consultation response may be referred to an extraordinary meeting of Full Council. If not, then an extraordinary Planning Committee meeting subject to consultation with the Monitoring Officer.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Development Management which sought approval of the Councils written representation and individual local impact report in response to an application for a Solar Farm (Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project) for Photovolt Development Partners and SolarFive Ltd.

The application site was split into three separate areas with part of the northern and central sections within the Launton and Otmoor and Kidlington West wards. The site also covered areas in West Oxfordshire District Council and the Vale of White Horse District Council.

The Committee was advised that the scale of this application means that it was defined as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).  Developments of this type were determined by the relevant Secretary of State (SoS) with the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) acting as the examining authority who made a recommendation to the SoS as to whether a Development Consent Order (DCO) should be granted.  Local Authorities (LAs) were consultees in this process and were not determining authorities.

In considering the report, the Committee sought clarification on the process for agreeing the response and highlighted that, subject to the advice of the Monitoring Officer, further Member input may be necessary.

It was proposed by Councillor Wood and seconded by Councillor Conway that the report be referred to the Monitoring Officer, with consultation with the Leader of the Council and Chairman of the Planning Committee, to advice whether it would be appropriate for the decision to be determined at an extraordinary meeting of Full Council, or, if not, an extraordinary Planning Committee.

Resolved

(1)      That, unless the Monitoring Officer provides advice to the contrary and considers it appropriate, the consultation response may be referred to an extraordinary meeting of Full Council, if not, subject to consultation with the Monitoring Officer. to an extraordinary Planning Committee meeting

Report of Assistant Director Planning and Development

Purpose of report

To keep Members informed about planning appeal progress including decisions received and the scheduling of public inquiries and hearings for new and current appeals.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the position on planning appeals contained within the report.

Resolved

(1)            That the position statement be accepted.

The Assistant Director Planning and Development submitted a report which informed Members about planning appeal progress including decisions received and the scheduling of public inquiries and hearings for new and current appeals.

Resolved

(1)          That the position statement be accepted.