Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

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Venue: Assembly Room - Oxford Town Hall. View directions

Contact: Catherine Phythian, Committee and Members' Services Officer  Tel: 01865 252402 email  DemocraticServices@oxford.gov.uk

Note: This meeting is in person and is NOT streamed live 

Items
No. Item

40.

Declarations of interest

Minutes:

General

Councillor Cook stated that as a Council appointed trustee for the Oxford Preservation Trust and as a member of the Oxford Civic Society, he had taken no part in those organisations’ discussions or decision making regarding the applications before the Committee.  He said that he was approaching all of the applications with an open mind, would listen to all the arguments and weigh up all the relevant facts before coming to a decision.

Councillor Upton stated that as a Council appointed trustee for the Oxford Preservation Trust and as a member of the Oxford Civic Society, she had taken no part in those organisations’ discussions or decision making regarding the applications before the Committee.  She said that she was approaching all of the applications with an open mind, would listen to all the arguments and weigh up all the relevant facts before coming to a decision.

21/02007/PA18

Councillor Cook stated that although, as ward councillor, he had previously engaged in discussion with Network Rail and his constituents about the generic proposals for the new railway station he had not discussed or commented upon the specific application and that he was approaching it with an open mind, would listen to all the arguments and weigh up all the relevant facts before coming to a decision.

41.

21/02007/PA18: Oxford Railway Station pdf icon PDF 828 KB

Site address:                  Oxford Railway Station, Park End Street, Oxford

Proposal:                        Application for Prior Approval - Part 18 of General Permitted Development Order (GPDO).  Oxford railway station proposed west side engineering works to construct an additional platform 5 railway line with associated platform canopy cover and platform enclosures providing passenger facilities, along with a stair and lift access to a subway connection to a proposed secondary station entrance incorporating retail, public toilets, an open concourse, staff accommodation and a relocated station refuse area.  Proposed replacement rail and pedestrian bridges over Botley Road along with alterations to the road to provide grade separated pavements each side.  Reconfiguration of Roger Dudman Way to connect onto Cripley Road and replacement of Sheepwash Bridge.  Proposed demolition of the single storey railway buildings at the rear of platform 4, along with the Youth Hostel and removal of two small single storey commercial units between Cripley Road and Roger Dudman Way.  Formation of public realm to the west side of the proposed station building along with cycle parking facilities (PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A PLANNING APPLICATION BUT A NOTIFICATION SUBMITTED BY NETWORK RAIL FOR PRIOR APPROVAL BY OXFORD CITY COUNCIL)

                                      

Reason at Committee:     This application has been called in by Councillors Cook, Pressel, Clarkson, Upton, Munkonge and Rowley due to concerns about delivering a high public realm and sufficient cycle parking.

 

Recommendation:

The Oxford City Planning Committee is recommended to:

1.     Delegate authority to the Head of Planning Services to:

·       grant prior approval, provided he is satisfied the flooding issues have been satisfactorily addressed and to also include the updating of plans to ensure they are correctly cross referenced, for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required conditions as set out in section 11, including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions to those conditions and plans as the Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered an application (21/02007/PA18:) for Prior Approval Part 18 of General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) for Oxford railway station proposed west side engineering works to construct an additional platform 5 railway line with associated platform canopy cover and platform enclosures providing passenger facilities, along with a stair and lift access to a subway connection to a proposed secondary station entrance incorporating retail, public toilets, an open concourse, staff accommodation and a relocated station refuse area; proposed replacement rail and pedestrian bridges over Botley Road along with alterations to the road to provide grade separated pavements each side; reconfiguration of Roger Dudman Way to connect onto Cripley Road and replacement of Sheepwash Bridge; proposed demolition of the single storey railway buildings at the rear of platform 4, along with the Youth Hostel and removal of two small single storey commercial units between Cripley Road and Roger Dudman Way; formation of public realm to the west side of the proposed station building along with cycle parking facilities

The application was before the Committee as it had been called in by Councillors Cook, Pressel, Clarkson, Upton, Munkonge and Rowley due to concerns about delivering a high public realm and sufficient cycle parking.

The Planning Officer presented the report and made the following verbal updates:

·         Paragraph 9.66 refers to a condition being included for network rail to set out measures to minimise drop off/pick up. Oxfordshire County Council (the County) have since withdrawn this condition and it is therefore not included in the list of conditions in chapter 11.

·         As part of the phase 2 project there is a need to re-provide the two blue badge spaces and 6 operational spaces (2 for Network Rail Operational Staff, 2 for GWR and 2 for British Transport Police). There will be no public car parking provided. Therefore an additional condition will be included requiring details and the location of the parking spaces to be provided.

·         Paragraph 9.43 references Part 19 of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) this should instead reference Part 18 of the GPDO.

·         Paragraph 10.8 - should read ‘station building would not injure the amenity of the neighbourhood’.

The Planning Officer said that since the publication of the report the Environment Agency had provided updated comments following the submission of additional information. Those comments did not amount to a formal objection but a number of technical concerns had been identified. Planning officers were satisfied that those concerns raised could be addressed through the inclusion of additional conditions:

1.    To obtain the modelling results identified as not included by the EA.

2.    Flood resilience and resistance measures are to be submitted

3.    Any changes to the scheme, including those related to flood mitigation shall be provided

4.    The pumps under the Botley Road Bridge must be replaced and upgraded and details of these pumps shall be provided

5.    A flood warning and evacuation plan for the station shall be submitted

6.    A flood plan to demonstrate how the Botley Road will be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

42.

21/02053/FUL- Unit 1 And Unit 2, Botley Road pdf icon PDF 576 KB

Site address:                  Unit 1 And Unit 2, Botley Road, Oxford  

 

Proposal:                        Erection of extensions to the front and rear and external alterations throughout, including the installation of cladding and new glazing. Provision of dedicated foot/cycle access from Botley Road, cycle parking, erection of substation, external lighting, hard and soft landscaping, external loading bay, means of enclosure (including car park barriers) and associated works to enable the use of the building within Use Class E (Commercial, Business and Service) for research and development. 

 

Reason at Committee:     This is a major planning application

 

Recommendation:

The Oxford City Planning Committee is recommended 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 satisfactory completion of a legal agreement (or unilateral undertaking) 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 which are set out in the report; and

·        the receipt of comments from the Environment Agency.

2.     agree to delegate authority to the Head of Planning Services to:

·       decide whether the application needs to be referred back to the committee on receipt of a response from the Environment Agency; and

·       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

·       finalise the recommended legal agreement (or unilateral undertaking) under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and other enabling powers as set out in the report, including refining, adding to, amending and/or deleting the obligations detailed in the heads of terms set out in the report (including to dovetail with and where appropriate, reinforce the final conditions and informatives to be attached to the planning permission) as the Head of Planning Services considers reasonably necessary; and

·       following the completion of the section 106 legal agreement (or unilateral undertaking) referred to above issue the planning permission.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered an application (21/02053/FUL) for planning permission for the erection of extensions to the front and rear and external alterations throughout, including the installation of cladding and new glazing; provision of dedicated foot/cycle access from Botley Road, cycle parking, erection of substation, external lighting, hard and soft landscaping, external loading bay, means of enclosure (including car park barriers) and associated works to enable the use of the building within Use Class E (Commercial, Business and Service) for research and development.

 

The Planning Officer presented the report and briefed the Committee on the background to the Environment Agency (EA) position regarding this application.

He confirmed that no formal comment has been received from the EA in response to the Council’s consultation request. Correspondence was received from the EA by planning officers on 27 September 2021 stating that they would likely object because no ground levels had been provided by the applicant. Ground levels, provided by the applicant, were sent to the EA on the following day.  At that point they EA advised that an additional 21 days would be needed to respond to the Council’s consultation request; which meant that a comment was expected by 19 October 2021. No formal comment was subsequently received by planning officers.

Planning officers were aware that the applicant had worked positively and proactively with the EA via formal pre-application discussions, during which time the EA had indicated that they would not have grounds to object, and the applicant has submitted all the documentation that has been required by the EA. Furthermore, no objection was raised by the Lead Local Flood Authority or the Council’s flood officers.

The officer report was issued on that basis, having regard to the statutory period in which the Council must determine planning applications.

Since publication of the report, planning officers had received an informal email from the EA stating that they intended to comment on the application and would likely object, although the reason for doing so was not substantiated. Planning officers were confident that any objection the EA may raise via a formal comment could be addressed via the submission of additional technical information by the applicant.

On this basis, planning officers maintain the recommendation set out in the officer report that the committee approve this application subject to formal written confirmation from the EA that they raise no objection to the application.

The Committee welcomed the application as a positive example of how a large retail unit could be re-purposed to create a sustainable employment site through improvements to the building and landscaping. They hoped that this scheme would be a model for further changes on other retail sites in the city. They expressed concern at the behaviour of the EA and endorsed the planning officers’ intention to write to the EA about the matter.  The Committee accepted the planning officers’ assurance that any objection from the EA could be resolved, noting that if that was not the case the application would be brought back to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

43.

21/00672: 4 Bladon Close, Oxford, OX2 8AD pdf icon PDF 529 KB

Site address:                  4 Bladon Close, Oxford, OX2 8AD

 

Proposal:                        Demolition of existing dwellinghouse and garage. Erection of 5 x 2 bedroom flats (Use Class C3). Provision of amenity space, bin and cycle stores.          

Reason at Committee:     This application was called in by Councillors Wade, Landell-Mills, Gant, Goddard, Roz Smith, Altaf Khan due to concerns around design, car parking, neighbouring amenities, legal covenants, land subsistence, asbestos, drainage, access, bin storage and sustainability.

 

Recommendation:

The Oxford City Planning Committee is recommended 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.

2.     agree to 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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered an application (21/00672) for planning permission for the demolition of existing dwellinghouse and garage; erection of 5 x 2 bedroom flats (Use Class C3); provision of amenity space, bin and cycle stores.

The application was before the Committee as it had been called in by Councillors Wade, Landell-Mills, Gant, Goddard, Roz Smith, Altaf Khan due to concerns around design, car parking, neighbouring amenities, legal covenants, land subsistence, asbestos, drainage, access, bin storage and sustainability.

The Planning Officer presented the report and proposed a revision to the wording of Condition 9: Ecology.

Liz Sharp (neighbour), Ian Robinson (local resident) and Councillor Andrew Gant (ward councillor) spoke against the application. 

In response to questions from the Committee planning officers advised that the Neighbourhood Plan policies referenced by the public speakers were in fact aspirational statements or community policies which carried less weight than the policies in the Oxford Local Plan and NPPF.

The Committee suggested that, for a sustainable development of this nature, it would be desirable for the proposed cycle storage to be designed to accommodate larger electric models and cargo bikes, recognising that this was not something that could be secured by condition as it went beyond the policy requirements of the Oxford Local Plan. 

The Committee noted the concerns expressed by the public speaker about overlooking and sought advice from the planning officers on what mitigation measures might be reasonable to include by condition.   Planning officers suggested adding conditions for the window treatment on the eastern elevation to require a front facing oriel window on the first floor and non-opening windows on the eastern elevation of the mansard roof.

After debate and on being proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed to include an amendment to the officer recommendation to include further conditions on window treatment.

On being proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application, subject to the revision of the wording of Condition 9, and the inclusion of two further conditions on window treatment as detailed 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, with the amended condition 9 and additional 2 conditions regarding windows referred to above, and grant planning permission.
  2. agree to 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.

44.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 425 KB

Recommendation: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2021 as a true and accurate record.

Minutes:

The Committee resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2021 as a true and accurate record.

45.

Forthcoming applications

Items currently expected to be considered by the committee at future meetings are listed for information. This is not a definitive list and applications may be added or removed at any point. These are not for discussion at this meeting.

 

20/00934/FUL: Land To The Rear Of The George Inn, 5 Sandford Road, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4PU

Major

20/01276/FUL: Land At Jericho Canal Side And Community Centre, 33A Canal Street, Oxford, OX2 6BX

Major

20/01277/LBC: Land At Jericho Canal Side And Community Centre, 33A Canal Street, Oxford, OX2 6BX

Major

21/00110/FUL: The Clarendon Centre, Cornmarket Street, Oxford, OX1 3JD

Major

21/00300/FUL: 17, 17A, 17B And 19 Between Towns Road, Oxford, OX4 3LX

Major

21/01261/FUL: St Hilda's College, Cowley Place, Oxford, OX4 1DY

Major

21/01347/FUL: University Of Oxford Old Road Campus, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FY

 

21/01388/FUL: 1 Court Place Gardens, Oxford, OX4 4EW

 

21/01405/FUL: 1 & 3 Jack Straw's Lane and 302 304 & 312 Marston Road, Oxford

Major

21/01449/FUL: Land South West Of St Frideswide Farm, Banbury Road, Oxford

Major

21/01743/VAR: Rhodes House, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RG

 

21/01695/FUL: Thornhill Park, London Road, Headington,Oxford, OX3 9RX

Major

21/01176/FUL: Former Dominion Oils Site, Railway Lane, Oxford, OX4 4PY

Major

21/01645/FUL: 472-474 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7RG

Major

21/02120/OUT: Plot 18 And Plots 23-26, Oxford Science Park, Grenoble Road, Oxford, OX4 4GB

Major

21/02160/VAR: Site Of Former Lucy Faithfull House, 8 Speedwell Street, Oxford, OX1 1PX

Major

21/02580/FUL: Marston Paddock, Butts Lane, Oxford, OX3 0QN

Major

21/02431/FUL: Meadow Larkins,  Larkins Lane, Oxford,  OX3 9DW

called in

21/02432/LBC: Meadow Larkins, Larkins Lane, Oxford, OX3 9DW

called in

21/02639/FUL: Land West Of 75 Town Furze, Oxford, OX3 7EW

called in

21/02581/FUL: 1 North Street, Oxford, OX2 0AY

called in

 

Minutes:

The Committee noted the list of forthcoming applications.

46.

Dates of future meetings

Future meetings of the Committee are scheduled at 6.00pm on:

 

2021

2022

22 November

25 January

7 December

15 February

 

8 March

 

12 April

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee noted the dates of future meetings.