The Committee considered a reserved matters application (23/01509/RES) for approval of scale, layout, landscaping and appearance for the central landscaping area to include provision of a pond, woodland area and play area at Land Bounded by A34 and A44 and A40, Parcel 1, Woodstock Road, Oxford.

The Planning Officer gave a presentation and highlighted the following:

·        Following further discussion, it had been informally agreed with the County Council that the provision of a detailed surface water drainage strategy could be secured by condition. Officers were awaiting a formal response from the County Council confirming their acceptance of this.  It was therefore expected that a detailed surface water drainage strategy would become a further condition of approval in the event that committee members were minded to approve the application.

·        Two further conditions to secure the provision of a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan and details of ecological enhancements before first use of the development were proposed.  This would mean that the measures relating to ecological management which were listed in condition 9 (the Estate Management Plan) would no longer be required within that condition.

·        The proposals included the provision of a centrally sited park located to the north-east of the Red Hall, and a new area of public open space located directly to the north of the Red Hall (known as the Market Square) as well as an access road to the south of the Red Hall and the provision of a new access link for pedestrians and cyclists linking the A40 and the A44. 

·        In total, the combined proposals for the Central Park and Market Square would provide 12,960 sqm of public open space.  This equated to 16.8% of the total site area of the central parcel of the Oxford North Site and did not include any public open space which might also be provided in the adjacent plots outside of the application site.

·        The Central area would include areas of open amenity space which could be used for events as well as general use; wildflower meadow planting; tree planting; woodland; and a dedicated children’s play area.  The proposal also included the addition of a new pond, which as well as providing additional storage capacity for site drainage would also provide an attractive, natural looking feature within the public realm.  The park would step down toward the pond, forming an amphitheatre type space.

·        Officers considered that the space was well-designed and delivered the objectives of providing an attractive area of public realm, contributing towards biodiversity net gain and sustainable drainage and providing extensive additional tree canopy cover across the site.  The proposed new 4m wide shared pedestrian and cycle route linking the A40 and the A44 would also be in an appropriate location.

·        Officers considered that the location of the Market Square was well-considered and was in a better location than had previously been shown (to the north of Plot G).   It was of a sufficient size to accommodate a range of events and activities and would immediately join the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38