Site address: Oxford Railway Station, Park End Street (Appendix 1)

Proposal: Application seeking prior approval for development comprising extension to the length of existing north bay platforms, replacement platform canopies, new re-locatable rail staff accommodation building and reconfiguration of short stay and staff car parking under Part 11 Class A Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. (PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A PLANNING APPLICATION BUT A NOTIFICATION SUBMITTED BY NETWORK RAIL FOR PRIOR APPROVAL BY OXFORD CITY COUNCIL.)  Following an options assessment, the building has been relocated 2.5m to the south and has been reduced in size at first floor level by 186 sq.m; revised parking layout (AMENDED PLANS).

Officer recommendation:

PRIOR APPROVAL required - Siting and design acceptablesubject to the following conditions:

1.         Materials samples

2.         Windows in east and north facing elevations

3.         Contamination risk study

4.         Remediation Strategy

5.         Unexpected contamination

6.         Surface water disposal

7.         Time limit of 3 years

The Committee considered a report detailing an application for prior approval for development comprising extension to the length of existing north bay platforms; replacement platform canopies; new re-locatable rail staff accommodation building; and reconfiguration of short stay and staff car parking under Part 11 Class A Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 at Oxford Railway Station, Park End Street.

Following an options assessment, amended plans were submitted with the building relocated 2.5m to the south and reduced in size at first floor level by 186 sq.m and a revised parking layout compared to the application plans considered by the Committee on 12 May 2015.

Sushilla Dhall, a local resident, outlined her concerns about the application.

Lisa Bullock, representing the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

The Committee resolved to grant prior approval for application 15/00096/PA11 at Oxford Railway Station, Park End Street as siting and design are acceptablesubject to the following conditions:

1.    Materials samples.

2.    Windows in east and north facing elevations.

3.    Contamination risk study.

4.    Remediation Strategy.

5.    Unexpected contamination.

6.    Surface water disposal.

7.    Time limit of 3 years.

Site Address: Oxford Railway Station, Park End Street

Proposal: Application seeking prior approval for development comprising extension to the length of existing north bay platforms, replacement platform canopies, new re-locatable rail staff accommodation building and reconfiguration of short stay and staff car parking under Part 11 Class A Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

Officer recommendation: The Committee approve prior approval - siting and design subject to the following conditions:

1.     Materials samples.

2.     Windows in east and north facing elevations.

3.     Contamination risk study.

4.     Remediation Strategy.

5.     Unexpected contamination.

6.     Surface water disposal.

7.     Time limit of 3 years.

The Head of City Development submitted a report detailing an application for prior approval for development comprising an extension to the length of the existing north bay platforms, replacement platform canopies, new re-locatable rail staff accommodation building and reconfiguration of short stay and staff car parking under Part 11 Class A Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 at Oxford Railway Station.

Sushila Dhall, a local resident, spoke about the impact the development would have on residents of Stable Close.

Lisa Bullock, representing Network Rail, spoke in support of the application.

The Committee asked questions of the officers and the speakers. Members were concerned that the location of the two-storey building caused a significant loss of amenity to the residents of Stable Close over the lifetime of the building. They noted this could be well in excess of three years if this was required to allow completion of the masterplan. They were of the view that the rationale for the proposed location of building was not fully explained and that therefore, given their concerns, they were not able to determine the application on the information before them.

The Chair asked the applicant to provide the committee with full details of Network Rail’s analysis of the options and the rationale for the proposed location and design.

The Committee resolved to:

defer a decision on the application to allow the applicant and officers to consider other feasible options for siting and design which mitigate the impact on local resident.

This item has been deferred until a future meeting.

Site Address: Oxford Railway Station, Park End Street

Proposal: Application seeking prior approval for development comprising extension to the length of existing north bay platforms, replacement platform canopies, new re-locatable rail staff accommodation building and reconfiguration of short stay and staff car parking under Part 11 Class A Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

Officer recommendation: The Committee approve prior approval - siting and design subject to the following conditions:

1.    Materials samples

2.    Windows in east and north facing elevations

3.    Contamination risk study

4.    Remediation Strategy

5.    Unexpected contamination

6.    Surface water disposal

7.    Time limit of 3 years

The Chair informed the committee that on the advice of officers this item would not be considered as further legal advice was required.

It was withdrawn from the agenda for this meeting and not discussed.