Agenda, decisions and minutes

9. Land West of Oxford Road and South of Newton Close, Bicester.

Councillor John Broad, Other Registerable Interest, as a member of Bicester Traffic Advisory Group which had been consulted on the application.

Councillor Les Sibley, Other Registerable Interest, as a member of Bicester Town Council which had been consulted on the application.

11. Parcel of Land South of Bailey Road Adjacent to Wilson Road, Banbury, OX16 1JE.

Councillor Chris Brant, Other Registerable Interest, as a member of Banbury Town Council which had been consulted on the application.

Councillor Dr Kerrie Thornhill, Other Registerable Interest, as a member of Banbury Town Council which had been consulted on the application.

Councillor Ian Harwood, Other Registerable Interest, as a member of Banbury Town Council which had been consulted on the application.

Councillor Rebecca Biegel, Other Registerable Interest, as a member of Banbury Town Council which had been consulted on the application.

12. Great Thatch Cottage, Main Street, Hanwell, Oxfordshire, OX17 1HN.

Councillor Chris Brant, Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, advised that as the Applicant for the item he would leave the meeting for the duration of the item.

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

Requests to address the meeting (including the application, whether you will speak in support of or objection to the application, your contact details) should be submitted to democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk  

The deadline for requests to address this meeting is noon on Wednesday 25 March 2026.

Addresses can be made virtually or in person. Full details of public participation at Planning Committee meeting is available in the Constitution, Planning Committee Procedure Rules.

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

The previous meeting of the Committee held on 19 March 2026, 5 days before the publication of the agenda for this meeting. The Minutes of the 19 March 2026 meeting will be submitted to the Planning Committee being held on Thursday 4 June 2026.

The Chair advised that as the previous meeting of the Committee, held on 19 March 2026, was after publication of the agenda for this meeting, the Minutes would be submitted to the next meeting of Planning Committee.

To receive communications from the Chair.

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

2.          The Chair reminded Members that should they need to leave the room for any reason, that they should be mindful of timing and that they should aim to be present for officers’ presentation and participate in the debate. Members were advised that voting is ultimately a matter for the member’s own judgment.

3.          The Chair reminded members that an additional meeting of the Planning Committee had been arranged for Thursday 16 April.

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

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.

There were no proposed pre-committee site visits.

Report of Assistant Director - Planning

Purpose of report

To update Members on current planning enforcement activity within the last 2 years.

Recommendations

The Planning Committee Resolves:

1.1      To note the content of the report and current planning enforcement position.

1.2      To endorse the resumption of quarterly enforcement performance reporting.

Resolved 

(1)          That the report be noted.

(2)          That the resumption of quarterly enforcement performance reporting be endorsed.

The Assistant Director Planning submitted a report which updated Members on planning enforcement activity since 1 January 2024.

The Head of Development Management explained that, following a pause, quarterly enforcement reports would be submitted to the Committee to ensure Members had clear visibility of trends and performance.

Resolved 

(1)          That the report be noted.

(2)          That the resumption of quarterly enforcement performance reporting be endorsed.

Approved in line with officer recommendation, subject to conditions (and any amendments as deemed necessary) and completion of a S106 legal agreement, details to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application 25/01444/HYBRID, a Hybrid application comprising development of up to 72 dwellings (C3 Use

Class) and a care home with up to 75 bedrooms (C2 Use Class) with other related infrastructure and associated works (in outline), and access to Wincanton Road (in full) at Land West of Oxford Road and South of Newton Close Bicester, for Countryside Properties (Bicester) Limited.

Pearce Gunne-Jones, the agent on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Pruden and seconded by Councillor Dr Thornhill that the application be approved, in line with the officer recommendation.

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

Resolved

(1)          That, in line with the officer’s recommendation, permission be granted for application 25/01444/HYBRID 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 mitigation set out at paragraph 9.94 (and any amendments as deemed necessary). 

CONDITIONS 

Time Limit 

1.         The development to which this permission relates in respect of the proposed access into the site 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.         Application for the approval of all reserved matters shall be made to the Local Planning Authority before the expiration of three years 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 two years from the date of approval of the last 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 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, and Article 5(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure (England) Order 2025 (as Amended). 

3.         Details of the layout, scale appearance, access and landscaping (hereafter referred to as the reserved matters) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before any development takes place and the development shall be carried out as approved. 

Reason: To comply with the provisions of Section 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and Article 6 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure (England) Order 2015 (as amended). 

Compliance with Plans 

4.         Except where otherwise stipulated by conditions attached to this permission, the development shall be carried out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113.

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

The committee considered application 25/02906/OUT, an outline application for the erection of 12 no dwelling houses with all matters reserved except for access and layout, at land adjoining and at 81 North Street Fritwell

Oxfordshire OX27 7QR for BHK Preston ltd.

Peter McCorkell, agent on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Rogers and seconded by Councillor Webb that application 25/02906/OUT be refused, in line with the officer recommendation. 

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officer’s report and presentation, and the addresses by public speaker.

Resolved

(1)          That, in line with the officer’s recommendation, permission for application 25/02906/OUT be refused for the following reasons: 

1. The proposed development would be an urbanising form of development which by reason of its location and the proposed land use would result in an isolated cluster of dwellings poorly related to the existing village and falling outside the settlement area defined by Policy PD1 of the MCNP. The proposal would adversely impact the rural setting of the village and would result in a harmful visual intrusion of development into the landscape and open countryside and would therefore result in harm to the rural character and appearance and quality of the area. In addition, it would cause damage to the significance of the adjacent designated heritage asset by irrevocably removing the rural setting of the Conservation Area. The proposal would not provide an appropriate housing mix for the provision of affordable housing of development. This identified harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies PD1 and PD4 of the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan 2018-2031, Policies BSC2, BSC3, ESD13 and ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1, Saved Policies C8 and C28 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and the National Planning Policy Framework. 

2. The proposed development would be sited in a geographically unsustainable location with poor access to services and facilities and therefore future residents would be highly reliant on the private car to meet their day to day needs which would not reduce the need to travel and would result in increased car journeys and hence carbon emissions. The proposed development therefore conflicts with Policies ESD1 and SLE4 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and Government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework. This identified harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits associated with the proposed development and therefore the development does not constitute sustainable development when assessed against the National Planning Policy Framework as a whole. 

3. By virtue of a lack supporting information the proposals have failed to demonstrate that the proposal would be acceptable in terms of (i) highway safety and pedestrian safety, (ii) biodiversity and the natural environment of the site and (iii) potential archaeological deposits at the site. As such the proposal is contrary to Polices ESD10 and ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011 - 2031 Part 1 and Government guidance contained  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114.

Approved in line with officer recommendation, subject to conditions (and any amendments as deemed necessary) and completion of a S106 legal agreement, details to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application 25/02862/F, a full planning application for 9 no. residential dwellings, pedestrian and vehicular access, landscaping and associated infrastructure, at Parcel of land south of Bailey Road Adjacent to Wilson Road Banbury OX16 1JE, for Bloor Homes Western. 

Jon Bryan, the agent on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Wood and seconded by Councillor Webb that the application be approved, in line with the officer recommendation.

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officer’s report and presentation, and the addresses by public speaker.

Resolved

(1)          That, in line with the officer’s recommendation, authority be delegated to the Assistant Director Planning to grant permission for application 25/02862/F subject to:

1. The conditions set out below (and any amendments to those conditions as deemed necessary) and  

2. 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 (and any amendments as deemed necessary): 

A) the sum of £275,000 for the value of the land towards employment opportunities within Banbury 

Conditions/reasons for refusal 

Time limit 

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. 

Compliance with plans 

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

Site location plan – we080-pd-036a 

Site layout – we080-sl-3001d 

Presentation layout – we080-pd-1021b 

External works – we080-sl-3030a 

Material layout - we080-sl3020b 

Landscaping layout - we080-ls-038c 

Vehicle tracking - we080-emp-en-101 

Drainage and levels - we080-en-emp-100 

Housetype plans and elevations 

Banbury rise design and access statement dated august 2025 

Drainage technical note 

Energy statement – briary energy august 2025 

Transport/highways technical note – pja  

Planning statement October 2025 

Preliminary ecological appraisal version 4 – Nicholsons October 2025 

Biodiversity net gain report version 1 – Nicholsons October 2025 

Biodiversity net gain metric - Nicholsons 

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. 

3.     Prior to the first use or occupation of the development hereby permitted, covered cycle parking facilities shall be provided on the site in accordance with details which shall be firstly submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. Thereafter, the covered cycle parking facilities shall be permanently retained and maintained for the parking of cycles in connection with the development. ? 

Reason: in the interests of sustainability, to ensure a satisfactory form of development and to comply with government guidance contained within the national planning policy framework. 

4.     No dwelling shall  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

Approved in line with officer recommendation, subject to conditions (and any amendments as deemed necessary), details to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application 26/00196/LB, for the installation of a domestic electric vehicle charging unit to the front elevation of the existing garage, at Great Thatch Cottage Main Street Hanwell Oxfordshire OX17 1HN for Chris Brant. 

It was proposed by Councillor Wood and seconded by Councillor Broad that the application be approved, in line with the officer recommendation.

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officer’s report and presentation.

Resolved

(1)          That, in line with the officer’s recommendation, permission be granted for application 26/00196/LB subject to the conditions set out below (and any amendments to those conditions as deemed necessary).

Conditions

Time Limit 

1.     The development and works hereby permitted shall be begun not later than three years from the date of this consent. 

Reason: To comply with the provisions of Section 18 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. 

Compliance with Plans 

2.     Except where otherwise stipulated by conditions attached to this permission, the development shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the Site Location Plan (dated 26 January 2026) and the document titled ‘Proposed Front Elevation – Garage Showing EV Charger’ (dated 16 January 2026) 

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. 

Informative Note - The charger should be removed when no longer in use.