The Committee considered an application (17/02832/FUL) for planning permission for the demolition and redevelopment of existing retail office, and residential premises, to provide a mixed-use scheme comprising 4 x units (use classes of either A1, A2, A3 or A4) at ground floor with a 180 bed hotel over three floors and 6 maisonette flats over two floors (1x1 bed, 1x3 bed, 4x2 bed) (amended plans) (amended description).

The Planning Officer presented the report and highlighted the following points: that the development was in a sustainable location; that the design and appearance was acceptable; that the Local Highways Authority was satisfied with the proposals; that there was no loss of privacy to adjacent properties, including Summerfields School and the Church Hall.

Cllr Andrew Gant (ward councillor), Laurence Fouweather and David Faber (on behalf of Summerfields School) spoke against the application. 

Michelle Davies (agent) spoke in favour of the application. Representatives from the applicant, the Easyhotel chain and architects and consultants were available to answer questions from the Committee.

The Committee asked questions of the officers and public speakers about the details of the application.  The Committee discussion concentrated on, but was not limited to, the following issues:

·       Catering provision at the Hotel: concern was expressed that the current, or future, hotel operators could start to provide pre-packaged meals.  Officers advised that this was not a material consideration for this application.

·       Hotel charges and accommodation offering: concern was expressed that the current, or future, hotel operators could change the rates charged or the business model.  Officers advised that this was not a material consideration for this application. 

·       General parking: Officers advised that there was coach parking available at the nearby Ferry Leisure Centre and that emergency vehicle access would be from the public highway and was a matter for Building Control regulations.

·       Residents’ parking: The Local Highways Authority representative from Oxfordshire County Council was asked to explain the different time restrictions operating on streets within the Summertown CPZ and whether they would consider consulting on a change in hours for some streets.  He said that they did not consider it necessary but that it could be done if funding became available. He reiterated the opinion set out in the formal response that the impact of the development was not severe and that the public car parks in the area have adequate capacity.

·       Location: Officers confirmed that the current, and draft Local Plan, supported the provision of hotels in district centres and on arterial roads.

Members of the Committee asked for guidance on potential grounds for refusal, specifically in relation to highways and scale.  Officers advised that the Committee should give weight to the opinions of the Local Highways Authority and that the Committee would need to provide technical evidence to support a refusal on highways grounds.  Officers confirmed that Committee could consider refusal on grounds of scale.

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered all the information put before it. The Committee acknowledged the concerns of the local residents about the suitability of the development and its impact on the local area and balanced those comments against the advice of officers that the application was policy compliant.

On being put to the vote a majority of the Committee agreed with the officer recommendation.

The West Area Planning Committee resolved to

1.          approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required planning conditions set out in section 12 of this report and grant planning permission; and subject to:

                  i.        the satisfactory completion of a legal agreement under section.106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and other enabling powers to secure the planning obligations set out in the recommended heads of terms which are set out in this report; and

2.     agree to delegate authority to the Acting Head of Planning Services to:

                  i.         finalise the recommended conditions as set out in this report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Acting Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary; and

                ii.         finalise the recommended legal agreement under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and other enabling powers as set out in this report, including refining, adding to, amending and/or deleting the obligations detailed in the heads of terms set out in this report (including to dovetail with and where appropriate, reinforce the final conditions and informatives to be attached to the planning permission) as the Acting Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary; and

               iii.         complete the section 106 legal agreement referred to above and issue the planning permission.

Councillor Arshad and Councillor Iley-Williamson arrived during consideration of this item and consequently took no part in its determination.