Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Altaf-Khan (substitute Councillor Gotch), Councillor Curran (substitute Councillor Rowley), Councillor Rundle (substitute Councillor Wilkinson) and Councillors Hollick, Lloyd-Shogbesan and Paule,

No declarations of interest were made.

The purpose of this meeting is for Councillors and members of the public to ask questions on the planning application for the Land west of Barton, north of A40 and south of Bayswater Brook: 13/01383/FUL (West Barton) housing development.

The Planning Officer’s report has been attached for information only.

The West Barton application will NOT be determined at this meeting, but will be decided at the East Area Planning Committee’s meeting scheduled for 6pm Tuesday 24 September.

The Chair outlined that the meeting was so Councillors and members of the public could ask questions on the planning application: Land west of Barton, north of A40 and south of Bayswater Brook: 13/01383/FUL (West Barton) housing development.

The Planning Officer’s report has been attached for information only.

The West Barton application will NOT be determined at this meeting, but will be decided at the East Area Planning Committee’s meeting scheduled for 6pm Tuesday 24 September.

The Head of City Development has submitted a report which outlines an application (seeking means of access) for the erection of:

·         a maximum of 885 residential units (Class C3);

·         a maximum of 2,500 sq m gross Class A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 uses (with a maximum of 2,000 sq m gross food store Class A1);

·         a maximum of 50 extra care housing units;

·         a maximum of 7,350 sq m GEA hotel (Class C1);

·         a maximum of 3,000 sq m GEA Class D1, D2 floorspace (community hub and primary school);

in development blocks ranging from 2 to 5 storeys with associated cycle and car parking, landscaping, public realm works, interim works and associated highway works.

This report is not for determination tonight.

The Head of City Development submitted a report (previously circulated now appended) which detailed a planning application seeking means of access for the erection of:

·         a maximum of 885 residential units (Class C3);

·         a maximum of 2,500 sq m gross Class A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 uses (with a maximum of 2,000 sq m gross food store Class A1);

·         a maximum of 50 extra care housing units;

·         a maximum of 7,350 sq m GEA hotel (Class C1);

·         a maximum of 3,000 sq m GEA Class D1, D2 floorspace (community hub and primary school);

In development blocks ranging from 2 to 5 storeys with associated cycle and car parking, landscaping, public realm works, interim works and associated highway works.

The Planning Officer explained that the planning application is an outline proposal and that if permission is granted more detailed applications for different stages of the development will come to the Committee.

The outlined proposal is controlled by conditions, parameter plans and design code.

The parameter plans consists of 6 fixed frameworks for:

•           general outline of land and future roading needs

•           breakdown of residential and commercial areas

•           open space and landscape

•           movement and access

•           residential density

•           building and storey height.

The design code outlines the design principles to be adopted for the primary school, width of the streets, distance between buildings etc and general design of the development.

Traffic and Access The development will be accessed by a limited access junction on the A40 with a reduced speed limit of 50mph.Work will also be done to relieve traffic congestion in Marston on Headley Way, Marston Road, Marsh Road and Cherwell Drive where the mini roundabouts will be controlled by signals. A Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) will also be created in Marston to relieve parking.

Buses to West Barton will be subsidised at first but it is envisaged will become commercial services in the future. This new route will not affect bus services in other parts of the city.

Masterplan

The illustrative Masterplan indicates that the recreational grounds will be shared between the new primary school and the community. The school is proposed to be built next to the communal recreational grounds to accommodate this. The school buildings will also be available for the community to use in the evenings, weekends and during school holidays. Some facilities would also be available during the school day.

A commercial centre is planned. It will have a supermarket and up to 5 other units which could be shops, cafes etc.

Water resources

Foul Water: Thames Water has commissioned a foul water impact study on the network in the vicinity and is supportive of the proposal. They determined that an attenuation system which stores the foul water in storage tanks and releases it into the existing sewerage system during quieter periods was the best solution.

Surface Water: A storage system will be used to hold surface water and release it into balancing ponds and from there into the Bayswater Brook  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

An opportunity for members of the public to ask questions.

Built, form, layout and residential development

The development doesn’t meet the Council’s 50% affordable housing policy - a hotel shouldn’t be built at the expense of housing.

The affordable housing will be 40% socially rented council housing. This is less than the 50% requirement stated in the Council’s housing policy because the development will have to fund additional facilities such as the primary school and shops. There are also extra costs for sewerage and junctions and highway improvements. Taking these factors into consideration it was agreed that 40% affordable housing would be acceptable.

The proposed hotel would have meant less housing, but the overall proportions of housing types would remain.  The applicant explained that a hotel is now less likely.

The plans show only low density housing around the allotments, what’s the rationale behind this?

The allotment area is part of the existing Barton which we wanted to keep, to connect West Barton to Barton. The established tree lined path through the allotment is to be retained and improved. Housing is proposed on the other side of the allotment so as to be best associated with existing Barton.

Better connections between communities are needed. What are the proposals for improving the links between Barton and Risinghurst and Northway?

No specific proposals for change between Barton and Risinghurst. There may be future work done to improve the link between Barton and Northway but they are not costed into this development. The agreed 50 mph speed limit on the A40 prohibits further links.

Consultation was done with BOBMK (collective design panel) who suggested a garden suburb approach.  How much has this been considered?

The applicant met BOBMK twice to discuss the development of the site including once before any firm ideas had been suggested. We discussed the overall principle of the development, the centre of the scheme and how it connects with neighbouring communities ie access via bike, road and infrastructure.

A covenant was signed in 1957 prohibiting the land from being turned into a road and safeguarding the stockproof fence to protect animals. Why is Council breaking the covenant?

A covenant is not a material planning consideration.

Noise and pollution levels are going to increase if you remove the hedge. Have you taken this into account?

There is no evidence to suggest this will be the case. Traffic on the A40 will be travelling slower due to the junction and A40 speed limit.

Community Assets

How are the community assets going to be shared between the school and the community? Is this achieved through a condition?

A close working relationship between the community (Barton Community Association) and the school will be important so that the assets can be shared. The junior pitch is part of the community’s recreation ground but it is proposed that during school hours it will be used by the school. 

A joint use agreement between the school and the community will be signed outlining a mutual arrangement to allow the community access to the school’s fields,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

The Committee NOTES the following future meeting dates:

Tuesday 24 September 2013_ Barton Application

Wednesday 2 October 2013 (and Thursday 10 October if necessary)

Wednesday 6 November 2013 (and Thursday 14 November if necessary)

Wednesday 4 December 2013 (and Thursday 12 December if necessary)

The Committee NOTED that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday 24 September 2013.