The following apologies were received:-

Councillor Gotch – Councillor Goddard substituted;

Councillor Clack – Councillor Coulter substituted.

None made

The Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing has submitted the final report and recommendations from the Roger Dudman Way independent review.

Officer recommendation: That the Committee

1. Receive the final report of the independent review overseen by the Working Group and note the findings and recommendations.

2. Endorse the proposals to address the recommendations with an action plan and embed best practice.

3. Thank Mr Vincent Goodstadt, the independent reviewer and Dr Lucy Natarajan for their work, and the members of the Working Group for their contributions.

This item is attached as a supplement.

The Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) concerning the final report and recommendations from the Roger Dudman Way independent review.

David Edwards (Executive Director of City Regeneration and Housing) presented the report to the Committee and provided some background and context. He emphasised that the review carried out had been independent, and that the conclusion it reached was that the Council had met its statutory duties when considering the Roger Dudman way application. However, the review report also made a number of recommendations that would assist the Council to embed best practice in its procedures in future. These recommendations were a package, which the Committee was invited to consider and encouraged to adopt.

Nicky Moeran (on behalf of the Save Port Meadow Campaign Group) said that the group was unable to endorse the review report as it stood, for the reason that it did not address a number of key questions. These questions had been deemed to be beyond the remit of the review. The Save Port Meadow Campaign Group would remain active and vigilant in holding the Council to account.

Councillor John Goddard was the Chair of the Working Group that was established in order to consider the planning processes associated with the Roger Dudman Way application. He observed that it had been a worthwhile exercise, that the history of the site had been explored, but that it was now time to grasp the opportunity to move on and make changes and improvements to meet best practice standards.

Members of the Committee then made the following observations:-

·         The recommendations made in the review report are extensive and will have a significant impact;

·         The action plan is far from trivial, it has budgetary implications, and it is to be hoped that the Council can progress this quickly;

·         Clarity on the interpretation of “design and context related to the surrounding area” was much needed, and should be included in the review report;

·          It was noted that many items in the proposed Action Plan were already in hand, and that a design panel already existed;

·         It was hoped that the suggested group of experts could be established quickly;

·         It was acknowledged that some aspects to the proposed Action Plan would require finance – but the Council did need to know exactly what was required first;

·         Members of the Working Party would very much welcome being kept up to date with the progress of establishing the Experts’ Group as well as the progress of the Action Plan;

·         Would it be possible to establish a “standing panel” of officers, Councillors and various specialists with local and planning knowledge to look at any application that would have a major impact upon the City?

·         It would be helpful for pre-application discussions related to major applications to be recorded in some way;

·         Pre-application discussions were the best time to influence the outcome and a good time to involve people who might be affected;

·         There should be better use of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

The Head of City Development has submitted a report which details a planning application to demolish existing single storey rear extension and erection of conservatory to rear.  Erection of part single storey, part two storey side extension, including conservatory and roof terrace.  Insertion of double doors to front of property at basement level.

Officer recommendation: That the Committee REFUSE the planning application for the following reasons:-

 1         The proposed side extension would result in the near total enclosure of the rear garden of 24 Richmond Road. This would significantly reduce the quality of the outlook from the rear garden as well as significantly reduce the levels of daylight and sunlight it receives. Consequently the proposals fail to accord with the requirements of policies CP1 and CP10 of the Oxford Local Plan 2001-2016 as well as policy HP14 of the Sites and Housing Plan 2011-2026.

2          The introduction of a raised outdoor terrace within an enclosed residential environment will give rise to a significant reduction in actual and perceived privacy for occupiers of neighbouring dwellings, in particular No. 24 Richmond Road. Consequently the proposals fail to adequately safeguard neighbouring residential amenity contrary to the requirements of policies CP1 and CP10 of the Oxford Local Plan 2001-2016 as well as policy HP14 of the Sites and Housing Plan 2011-2026.

The Head of City Development submitted a report (previously circulated now appended) that detailed a planning application to demolish the existing single storey rear extension and the erection of a conservatory to the rear; the erection of a part single storey, part 2 storey side extension, including conservatory and roof terrace, plus insertion of double doors to the front of the property at basement level.

Matthew Parry (Planning Officer) presented the report to the Committee.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, the Committee Caroline Brown spoke against the application and Frank Reif spoke in favour of it.

After taking all submissions into account, both written and oral, the Committee resolved to REFUSE the planning application for the following reasons:-

(1)  The proposed side extension would result in the near total enclosure of the rear garden of 24 Richmond Road. This would significantly reduce the quality of the outlook from the rear garden as well as significantly reduce the levels of daylight and sunlight it receives. Consequently the proposals fail to accord with the requirements of policies CP1 and CP10 of the Oxford Local plan 2001-2016, as well as policy HP14 of the Sites and Housing Plan 2011-2026;

(2)  The introduction of a raised outdoor terrace within an enclosed residential environment will give rise to a significant reduction in actual and perceived privacy for occupiers of neighbouring dwellings, in particular no 24 Richmond Road. Consequently the proposals fail to adequately safeguard neighbouring residential amenity, contrary to the requirements of policies CP1 and CP10 of the Oxford Local Plan 2001-2016 as well as policy HP14 of the Sites and Housing Plan 2011-2026.

The Head of City Development has submitted a report which details a planning application to erect a first floor rear extension and formation of dormer to rear.

Officer recommendation: That the Committee APPROVE the planning application subject to the following conditions:

1          Development begun within time limit      

2          Materials - matching           

3          Develop in accordance with approved plans    

The Head of City Development submitted a report (previously circulated now appended) that detailed a planning application to erect a first floor rear extension and the formation of a dormer to the rear. (This application was made by an employee of the Council, hence its presentation to the Committee.)

The Committee took all submissions into account and resolved to APPROVE the application with the conditions below, and that the Head of City Development be authorised to issue the notice of permission.

Conditions

(1)  Development begun within time limit;

(2)  Matching materials;

(3)  Develop in accordance with approved plans.

The Head of City Development has submitted a report which details an application for Listed Building Consent for internal alterations to upgrade and refurbish existing toilets involving removal of walls and partitions and formation of lobby and doorways

Officer recommendation: That the Committee APPROVE listed building consent subject to the following conditions

1          Commencement of works LB/CAC consent      

2          LB/CAC consent - approved plans

3          LB/CAC specific agreed amended plans -3771-02 A - 3771-07 A, 18/11/2013, 18/11/2013,        

4          7 days’ notice to LPA         

5          LB notice of completion     

6          Further works - fabric of LB - fire regs     

7          Repair of damage after works       

8          Walls/openings to match adjoining         

9          careful removal and retention/reuse of doors and window glass      

10        further details a) new lighting units, b) external louvers c) new handrail, d) fixture and finish of new suspended ceiling

The Head of City Development submitted a report (previously circulated now appended) that detailed a planning application for Listed Building Consent for internal alterations to upgrade and refurbish existing toilets, involving removal of walls and partitions, and the formation of a lobby and door.

Sarah Billam (Conservation Officer) presented the application to the Committee.

Following some discussion concerning the future display of heritage items in the corridor outside the proposed toilets, the Committee resolved to DEFER the planning application to the following meeting.

The Head of City Development has submitted a report which details a planning application to insert new doors and windows to east, south and west elevations.

Officer recommendation: That the Committee APPROVE the planning application subject to the following conditions:

1          Development begun within time limit      

2          Develop in accordance with approved plans    

3          Materials as specified

The Head of City Development submitted a report (previously circulated now appended) that detailed a planning application to insert new doors and windows to east, south and west elevations.

Clare Golden (Planning Officer) confirmed that there were no further updates to this application.

Having taken all submissions into account, both written and oral, the Committee resolved to APPROVE the planning application subject to conditions outlined below, and that the Head of City Development be authorised to issue the notice of permission.

Conditions:

(1)  Development to begin within time limit;

(2)  Development in accordance with approved plans;

(3)  Materials as specified.

To receive information on planning appeals received and determined during November 2013.

The Committee is asked to note this information.

The Committee resolved to note the report on planning appeals received and determined during November 2013

Minutes from 10 December 2013

Recommendation: That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2013 be APPROVED as a true and accurate record.

Resolved to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th December 2013.

The following items are listed for information. They are not for discussion at this meeting.

·         13/03320/PA11: Whitehouse Road: Replacement footbridge.

·         13/02557/OUT: Westgate: Retail centre.

·         13/02558/FUL: Oxpens Road: Temporary decked car park.

·         13/02563/FUL: Redbridge Park & Ride: Temporary coach park.

·         13/03213/FUL: 9 Green Street

·         13/03252/FUL: Alma Place

·         13/01376/FUL: Abbey Road

·         13/03001/FUL: 22 Linkside Avenue

·         13/02866/VAR: Site of 21 and 23 Temple Road

Resolved to note the list of forthcoming applications.

The Committee NOTES the following future meeting dates:

Thursday 9 January if necessary

Tuesday 11 February 2014 (and Thursday 13 February if necessary)

Tuesday 11 March 2014 (and Thursday 13 March if necessary)

There will be a members briefing on Wednesday 15 January 2014 for the Westgate application

Resolved to note the following dates:-

Tuesday 11^th February 2014 (and Thursday 13^th February if necessary);

Tuesday 11^th March 2014 (and Thursday 13^th March if necessary)