Site address: 10 Park Town, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX2 6SH

Proposal: Enlargement of front and rear lightwells; platform lift to front lightwell. Demolition of ground floor rear conservatory and ground floor side lean-to. Erection of a part single, part two storey rear and side extensions, including basement extension. Alterations and upgrades to fenestration throughout, including replacement windows. External alterations and repair works to roof, masonry, rainwater goods and fenestration. Alterations and repairs to boundary walls. Internal alterations to all floors including alteration of basement floorplan and damp proofing works in association with amalgamation of two basement flats to form one flat; installation of underfloor heating; alterations to existing door openings; new door openings; removal and heightening of ceilings and removal of partitions on second floor; new lightwell and balustrade, repairs and thermal upgrade to belvedere; new and upgraded mechanical, electrical and plumbing services throughout. (Amended description) (Amended plans).

Reason at Committee: This application was called in by Councillors Fry, Pressel, Taylor, Chapman, Munkonge and Corais due to its impact on the neighbouring property and the impact on the significance of the listed building and conservation area. 

RECOMMENDATION

Oxford City Planning Committee?is recommended to:? 

1. Approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required listed building conditions set out in section 12 of this report and grant listed building consent. 

2.    Agree to delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Regulation to: 

·       finalise the recommended conditions as set out in this report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Director of Planning and Regulation considers reasonably necessary. 

Site address: 10 Park Town, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX2 6SH

Proposal: Enlargement of front and rear lightwells; platform lift to front lightwell. Demolition of ground floor rear conservatory and ground floor side lean-to. Erection of a part single, part two storey rear and side extensions, including basement extension. Alterations and upgrades to fenestration throughout, including replacement windows. External alterations and repair works to roof, masonry, rainwater goods and fenestration. Alterations and repairs to boundary walls. Internal alterations to all floors including alteration of basement floorplan and damp proofing works in association with amalgamation of two basement flats to form one flat; installation of underfloor heating; alterations to existing door openings; new door openings; removal and heightening of ceilings and removal of partitions on second floor; new lightwell and balustrade, repairs and thermal upgrade to belvedere; new and upgraded mechanical, electrical and plumbing services throughout. (Amended description) (Amended plans).

The Oxford City Planning Committee resolved to:

1.    Approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required listed building conditions set out in section 12 of this report and grant listed building consent.

2.    Agree to delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Regulation to:

•       finalise the recommended conditions as set out in this report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Director of Planning and Regulation considers reasonably necessary.

The Committee considered an application for the enlargement of front and rear lightwells; platform lift to front lightwell. Demolition of ground floor rear conservatory and ground floor side lean-to. Erection of a part single, part two storey rear and side extensions, including basement extension. Alterations and upgrades to fenestration throughout, including replacement windows. External alterations and repair works to roof, masonry, rainwater goods and fenestration. Alterations and repairs to boundary walls. Internal alterations to all floors including alteration of basement floorplan and damp proofing works in association with amalgamation of two basement flats to form one flat; installation of underfloor heating; alterations to existing door openings; new door openings; removal and heightening of ceilings and removal of partitions on second floor; new lightwell and balustrade, repairs and thermal upgrade to belvedere; new and upgraded mechanical, electrical and plumbing services throughout. (Amended description) (Amended plans).

The Planning Officer gave a presentation outlining the details of the location and the proposal. This included site photos and existing and proposed elevations and plans:

• The committee report considered the impact of proposed interventions, alterations and repairs to the Grade II listed building 10 Park Town which formed part of the listing for 1-47 and 49-64 Park Town on the historic and architectural significance.
• Although some elements were identified as causing a low level of less than substantial harm, this was considered mitigated by reversing alterations and through appropriate and well justified design. Public benefits, including improved accessibility, thermal performance and energy efficiency, along with securing the buildings long term use were considered to outweigh the harm, while giving great weight to heritage preservation.
• The scheme was considered to give an appropriate balance between preserving and enhancing the buildings historic and architectural significance within the context of the Park Town Estate and its social history.
• The development was therefore considered to meet the objectives of relevant adopted and emerging plan policies. It was recommended that the Committee resolve to grant Listed Building Consent for the development proposed subject to the recommended conditions set out in section 12 of the report.

Sarah Goodman and Nik Lyzba spoke against the application.

Pippa Hoyer-Miller, Huw Mellor and Nick Worlledge spoke in favour of the application.

The Committee asked questions about the details of the application which were responded to by officers and the applicant. The Committee’s discussions included, but were not limited to:

• Concerns about enlarging lightwells were addressed by officers, who clarified this would result in only a low level of less than substantial harm to the basements character and would not detract from the buildings overall architectural significance.

On being proposed, seconded, and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application for the reasons listed on 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 listed building conditions set out in section 12 of this report and grant listed building consent. 

2.    Agree to delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Regulation to: 

·       finalise the recommended conditions as set out in this report including such refinements, amendments, additions and/or deletions as the Director of Planning and Regulation considers reasonably necessary.