Site address:           The Observatory, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RQ     

Proposal:                Installation of a welfare compound and erection of modular buildings for a temporary period in connection with Biochemistry Phase 2 construction works.                

Recommendation:

The West Area Planning Committee is recommended 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 the report and grant planning permission; and

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

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

b.     issue the planning permission.

The Committee considered an application (18/03383/FUL) for planning permission for the installation of a welfare compound and erection of modular buildings for a temporary period in connection with Biochemistry Phase 2 construction works.

The Planning Officer presented the report and advised that, since the agenda was published, the applicant had provided a construction travel management plan (CTMP) as requested by the County Council. The County Council had approved the CTMP so Condition 10 would be amended accordingly by officers.

Steven Roberts (agent) and Richard Jones (on behalf of the applicant) spoke in favour of the application.

The Committee noted the following points:

·       The harm of the visual impact of the modular cabins was limited because it was for a temporary period only and they would be set against the backdrop of the University Science buildings.

·       The material planning considerations that weighed in favour of the application included the need for welfare facilities close to the building site, the contribution that the Biochemistry facility will make in social and economic terms, which is facilitated by this development, and the opportunity for the site area to have a more sympathetic treatment at the end of the temporary period which would be a heritage benefit.

After debate and on being proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application.

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 the report and grant planning permission; and

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

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

issue the planning permission.