The Committee considered an application (22/00949/FUL) for erection of a commercial building (Use Classes E(g)(ii), E(g)(iii) and B2 applied flexibly) with associated access, parking, landscaping and ancillary development at Gas Holder Station, Watlington Road, Cowley, Oxford.

The Planning Officer gave a presentation and highlighted the following:

·        The gas holder had been demolished under previous prior approval for demolition.  The proposal before the Committee was for redevelopment of the site and erection of a commercial building with research and development or light industrial uses.  The site was surrounded by storage and distribution units, offices, research and development, and industrial units.  The land to the east of the site was within the control of South Oxfordshire District Council and had been allocated for housing within its Local Plan.

·        Since the publication of the officer report, the applicant had advised that the S106 agreement being drafted with the County Council would also be used to secure an improved cycleway to the site from the junction with Watlington Road.  This would either be delivered by the applicant, or a financial contribution would be made to the County Council to deliver it.

·        The officer’s recommendation was to approve the application for the reasons set out in the report, subject to the S106 agreement with the County Council.

Paul Derry, agent, spoke in favour of the application.

The Committee asked questions on details of the application, which were responded to by officers.  Discussion included the following:

·        There was no net gain in terms of parking over the previous capacity of the site.  It was considered that the transport sustainability of the site was better than had been indicated by the County Council, with several other bus routes being available within a reasonable walking distance.  It was also easily accessible by bicycle;

·        Employment needs assessments in the Local Plan had indicated that employment space was much needed within the city.

Having been proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application, subject to the required planning conditions set out in section 12 of the report and the satisfactory completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 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 set out in the report and the improved cycleway as clarified by the Planning Officer and set out above.

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 subject to the receipt of the satisfactory completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 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 set out in the report and as amended by the Planning Officer; and

2.    delegate authority to the Development Management  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39