Erection of 78 student bedrooms (4 with disabled access) arranged in clusters of 8, over three floors in three 'pavilion' style buildings connected by glazed stairwells; together with a three storey Graduate Centre, landscaping, flood compensation, and associated infrastructure; and including the demolition of staircase 23.

The Committee considered an application (17/00758/FUL) for planning permission for the erection of 78 student bedrooms (4 with disabled access) arranged in clusters of 8, over three floors in three 'pavilion' style buildings connected by glazed stairwells; together with a three storey Graduate Centre, landscaping, flood compensation, and associated infrastructure; and including the demolition of staircase 23 at St Catherine’s College, Manor Road.

The Planning Officer presented the report; set out the key points in relation to the special circumstances of this development which justified the low degree of harm to the Green Belt; and confirmed that there was no material impact on the views from the designated view cones at Headington Hill.

Roger Ainsworth, representing the college, spoke in favour of the application and Paul Semple, agent, was available for questions.

The Committee asked questions of the officers and public speakers about the details of the application.

The Committee discussion included, but was not limited to, a request that officers and the college be mindful of that cycle racks across the site should be of adequate quantity and quality and provide secure parking for a variety of types of cycle.

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered all the information put before it. On being put to the vote the Committee agreed with the officer recommendation.

The West Area Planning Committee resolved to:

(a) grant planning permission for application 17/00758/FUL subject to:

1. Confirmation from the Secretary of State that the application will not be ‘called in’, following the referral of the application in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009;  

(b) delegate authority to the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services to:

2. Finalise the recommended 25 conditions and 1 informative as set out in section 11 of this report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services considers reasonably necessary.