Agenda item

Report of Assistant Director – Planning and Development

Purpose of Report

To advise the Executive of the considerations associated with the Council resolution on Sandy Lane.  

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note a development brief and planning application for site PR8 (Land East of A44) will be presented to the Planning Committee for consideration in due course.

1.2         To note the wording of a formal response to an application expected to be submitted by Network Rail to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Transport and Works Act Order will involve consultation with the Planning Committee Chairman and Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development in due course.

Resolved

(1)          That it be noted that a development brief and planning application for site PR8 (Land East of A44) will be presented to the Planning Committee for consideration in due course.

(2)          That it be noted that the wording of a formal response to an application expected to be submitted by Network Rail to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Transport and Works Act Order will involve consultation with the Planning Committee Chairman and Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development in due course.

The Assistant Director – Planning and Development submitted a report to advise the Executive of the considerations associated with the Council resolution on Sandy Lane.  

At the 17 July 2023 Council meeting, a motion relating to the closure of Sandy Lane, Yarnton was considered. It was resolved to adopt the motion and the Council asked the Executive to, “…give careful consideration to keeping this vital link open, especially knowing that Oxford University Developments are proposing to fund and build a new road bridge on their site as part of their overall vision."

In introducing the report, the Chairman advised that arrangements were in hand for a meeting between the local Ward Members, representatives from Network Rail and Oxford University Developments and council Planning Officers to enable discussion between stakeholders. 

Councillors McLean, Conway and Walker, local Ward Members for Kidlington West, addressed Executive seeking Executive support to keep the Sandy Lane crossing open. In the course of their addresses, the local Ward Members highlighted the importance of the crossing for residents in the area and the traffic and environmental impacts if the crossing were closed.

The Chaiman thanked the Ward Members for their comments. In response to the addresses, the Chairman explained that the Local Plan consultation was an opportunity for residents to have input into the way in which the new Local Plan would affect them. It was also crucial for all stakeholders, including Oxfordshire County Council Highways, to work together for a solution and an update would be provided to Executive following the meeting.

Resolved

(1)          That it be noted that a development brief and planning application for site PR8 (Land East of A44) will be presented to the Planning Committee for consideration in due course.

(2)          That it be noted that the wording of a formal response to an application expected to be submitted by Network Rail to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Transport and Works Act Order will involve consultation with the Planning Committee Chairman and Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development in due course.

Reasons

The Council has a clear and tested Local Plan position for development in the vicinity of Sandy Lane. It is not the decision-maker for the closure of the level crossing. However, there is an opportunity for the Planning Committee to give careful consideration to the planning of development to the east of A44. A development brief and major planning application will be presented to the Committee in due course. Consideration of the application by this Council and the County Council will involve close examination of transport, travel and accessibility issues and the mitigation required. This provides the most appropriate opportunity to consider the acceptability of proposals for new residents and the potential impacts on existing residents and businesses.

The TWAO process provides an opportunity for the Council to present concerns and objections, albeit potentially in contradiction to Local Plan policy. The precise wording of a response, in the context of development proposals, can be discussed with the Planning Committee Chairman and Portfolio Holder in due course.

The applicant for site PR8 has recognised that future Network Rail proposals may emerge and has made some accommodation. Any future proposals would need to be considered on their own merits in due course.

Alternative options

Option 1: The Council could, if it so desired, choose to revise or replace Policy PR8 of the Local Plan through the on-going Cherwell Local Plan Review process. This would give the Executive the opportunity to consider planning policy affecting Sandy Lane.

This approach is not recommended as officers consider the policy to be ‘fit for purpose’ and do not recommend its revision. To do so would create significant uncertainty for the local community and the developer at a time when a development brief is being finalised and a planning