The Committee considered an application (21/01368/FUL) for full planning permission for alterations to footpath, including alterations to boundary wall and railings, new surface treatments and landscaping at Headington Hill Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Hill, Oxford.

The Development Management Service Manager gave a joint presentation covering the application and the related Listed Building Consent application 21/01369/LBC which was the subsequent item on the agenda.

The Committee noted that a representation had been received from Headington Heritage objecting to the proposal, including on the grounds that it would ‘remove a large area of attractive green space and railings sympathetic to the Conservation Area and replace it with a concrete paved seating area which would be ugly and urban, destroy a large area of highly visible green space, open up views from Cuckoo Lane to ‘hideous 1970s campus concrete blocks’ and destroy the iron railings’ which were considered to add to the charm of, and be sympathetic with, the Victorian nature of the Park.

Members of the Committee asked questions of officers about the details of the application.

The Committee’s discussions included the following points:

·        The proposal would result in Cuckoo Lane becoming a safer route by improving visibility and removing a blind entrance onto Cuckoo Lane.  The new footpath would also be wheelchair accessible.

·        No residents had registered to speak against the proposal.

·        The impact of moving the gate would be minimal, and would result in significant benefits in terms of a safer route.

In reaching its decision, the Committee considered all the information put before it.

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

The Oxford City 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 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

·       issue the planning permission.