This application was deferred from the previous meeting to allow the Committee to visit the site before reaching a decision.

The site visit is scheduled for Tuesday 3 April.  If the site visit does not take place on that date it is recommended that this application be deferred.

Site Address: 2A Ramsay Road, Oxford, OX3 8AX.

Proposal: Erection of front porch.  Demolition of single storey side extension and erection of a two storey building to create 2 x 1-bed flats (Use Class C3). Provision of private amenity space, car parking and bin and cycle storage.

Recommendation

The East Area Planning Committee is recommended to:

(a)    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;

(b)    Grant planning permission: and

(c)    Delegate authority to the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services to:

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

The Committee considered an application for the erection of a front porch, demolition of single storey side extension and erection of a two storey building to create 2 x 1-bed flats (Use Class C3) with provision of private amenity space, car parking and bin and cycle storage at 2A Ramsay Road, Oxford.

This application had been deferred from the previous meeting to allow the Committee to visit the site before reaching a decision. The site visit took place on 3 April.

Joanna Norridge and Martin Louden, local residents, spoke objecting to the application and set out their concerns.

The Planning Officer and Legal Adviser confirmed in the presentation and in answer to questions:

·         any ‘Right to light’ acquired through residency was a private matter between the parties and not a material planning consideration;

·         the policy stating a 20m separation between back-to-back facing windows of habitable rooms was not an absolute measurement but guidance and the acceptable separation distance between any two properties depended on multiple factors;

·         that the outdoor space exceeded the minimum standards for each flat.

On being put to the vote:

The Committee resolved to:

(a)          approve application 17/02717/FUL for the reasons given in the report and subject to the 8 required planning conditions set out in section 12 of the report

(b)          grant planning permission: and

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

finalise the recommended conditions as set out in the report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services considers reasonably necessary.

Site Address: 2A Ramsay Road,  Oxford,  OX3 8AX,

Proposal: Erection of front porch.  Demolition of single storey side extension and erection of a two storey building to create 2 x 1-bed flats (Use Class C3). Provision of private amenity space, car parking and bin and cycle storage.

Recommendation

The Committee is recommended to:

(a) 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.

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

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

The Committee considered an application for the erection of a front porch; demolition of single storey side extension and erection of a two storey building to create 2 x 1-bed flats (Use Class C3); provision of private amenity space, car parking and bin and cycle storage at 2A Ramsay Road,  Oxford,  OX3 8AX.

The Planning Officer reported that:

·         Policy HP14, relating to privacy and daylight, had been taken into account although it was not referenced in the report.

·         Sections 14 and 15 (human rights and crime and disorder) should make reference to a recommendation to approve.

·         No legal agreement was required although it was referenced in section 11.2 of the report.

John Norridge and Martin Louden, local residents, spoke objecting to the application and set out their concerns, and accompanied by Joanna Norridge answered questions from the Committee. 

The Committee asked questions of the officers and speakers. In discussion they noted concerns over the specific relationship of the proposed development to the boundaries and rear elevations of 218 and 220 London Road, including the boundary at no218 and the potential overlooking into windows to and from the new development. The legal adviser suggested that a site visit may be helpful. This was formally proposed, seconded and agreed on being put to the vote as members considered that this would help them visualise the relationship between the properties and determine the application.

The Committee resolved to:

defer consideration of application 17/02717/FUL to a future meeting to allow members of the committee, accompanied by planning officers, to formally visit the site to see the relationship between the existing houses and the proposed development and the likely impact of these on each other.