The Committee considered an application (22/01538/FUL) for demolition of an existing garage, erection of a single storey side extension, and provision of bin and bike stores at 72 The Slade, Oxford OX3 7DX.  The application was before the Committee as the applicant was an elected Councillor of Oxford City Council.

Councillor Rehman left the meeting room for this item and did not take part in determining the application.

The Planning Officer gave a presentation and highlighted the following:

·        Section 1.1.2 of the report required amendment to clarify that authority to finalise conditions and issue the decision was to be delegated to the Acting Head of Planning Services (Development Management);

·        72 The Slade was a two-storey semi-detached property located on the east side of The Slade, near to the junction with Wood Farm Road.  Access was via a private road which ran along the front of the application site.  The property was currently in use as a Sui Generis House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) and had previously been extended by means of a single storey rear extension and a rear dormer window;

·        The extension would replicate the existing design formation.  Officers were of the view that the design would be of a similar appearance to the remainder of the site, especially when viewed from the front, and therefore did not consider that it would have any adverse impact with regard to visual amenity or the street scene;

·        The extension would be sited between 8 and 10m from the properties on Wood Farm Road, and would sit only 0.3m taller than the existing garage.  Given the single storey nature of the extension, and the separation distance between the extension and the rear of properties on Wood Farm Road, officers were of the opinion that the proposal would not have an adverse impact on neighbouring amenity;

·        The bin and bike stores would be located at the front of the property and would be single storey and constructed from timber.  For the reasons outlined in the report officers considered that these were acceptable;

·        The main considerations for the application were the design impact on visual amenity, and the impact on neighbouring amenity.  For the reasons outlined in the presentation and report, officers were of the opinion that the proposal was acceptable in design and amenity terms and therefore approval was recommended, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

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

·        The design of the bike stores, each holding four bikes, could prove difficult for bikes to be taken out and put back in.  Officers responded that the design was of a standard type, and balance was needed between ease of use and the size and visual impact of the bike stores;

·        Natural England had requested further information as part of the application on whether the extension was to be constructed on existing hardstanding, as the site was in the Lye Valley catchment area.  On the basis that it would be, Natural England was content for the application to be approved subject to a condition requiring that the site was drained using Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS);

·        Although not recommended as part of the proposal which was before the Committee, the condition of the HMO application (ref: 20/00514/FUL) relating to parking permits would remain relevant.

On being proposed, seconded and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required planning conditions and informative set out in the report.

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 and informative set out in the report and grant planning permission; and

2.     delegate authority to the Acting Head of Planning Services (Development Management) to finalise the recommended conditions as set out in the report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Acting Head of Planning Services (Development Management) considers reasonably necessary and issue the decision.