Site address:                   The Eagle and Child, St Giles', Oxford, OX1 3LU

Proposal:                        Demolition of part ground floor and first floor rear extensions. Change of use of ground floor and first floor of 50 St Giles from Cafe (Use Class A3) to Hotel reception and accommodation (Use Class C1). Conversion of upper floors at 49-51 St Giles for use as hotel accommodation (Use Class C1). Erection of single storey rear extension, formation of new entrance off Wellington Place through boundary wall, alterations to north and south boundary walls, installation of ventilation equipment to rear and alterations to fenestration (amended plans and information).

Reason at Committee:     The application has been called in by Cllrs Hollingsworth, Tanner, Fry, Turner and Rowley because of concerns about the impact on the historic buildings and streetscape in St Giles, and the potential impact on trees in the adjoining street at Wellington Place.

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 this report and grant planning permission; and subject to:

·       the satisfactory completion of a legal agreement under Section106 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 Head of Planning 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 Services considers reasonably necessary; and

·       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 Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary; and

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

The Committee considered an application (19/01456/FUL) for planning permission for the demolition of part ground floor and first floor rear extensions. Change of use of ground floor and first floor of 50 St Giles from Cafe (Use Class A3) to Hotel reception and accommodation (Use Class C1). Conversion of upper floors at 49-51 St Giles for use as hotel accommodation (Use Class C1). Erection of single storey rear extension, formation of new entrance off Wellington Place through boundary wall, alterations to north and south boundary walls, installation of ventilation equipment to rear and alterations to fenestration (amended plans and information).

The application had been called in by Cllrs Hollingsworth, Tanner, Fry, Turner and Rowley because of concerns about the impact on the historic buildings and streetscape in St Giles, and the potential impact on trees in the adjoining street at Wellington Place.

The Planning Officer’s presentation addressed the proposals set out in both the full planning application and the application for listed building consent.

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered all the information put before it and was satisfied that the application before them addressed previous concerns about the potential impact on the heritage and the environs of the site.  They concluded that the proposed scheme was sensitive to the site constraints, would ensure the longevity of the designated heritage assets and that the demolition of the miscellany of existing extensions and outbuildings was to be welcomed.

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

On being put to the vote the Committee agreed the resolution as set out below.

The West Area Planning Committee resolved to:

1.       approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the 17 required planning conditions and 3 informatives set out in section 12 of the report and grant planning permission; subject to:

·       the satisfactory completion of a legal agreementunder Section106 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.       delegate authority to the Head of Planning 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 Services considers reasonably necessary; and

·       finalise the recommended legal agreement under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and other enabling powers as set out in the 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 Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary; and

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