The Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services submitted a report which sought approval to join Magdalen College and Thames Water in the submission of a planning application for the proposed South Oxford Science Village at Grenoble Road, to fund the determination of the application including pursuing any appeal processes that may ultimately be necessary

Cllr Bob Price, Board Member for Corporate Strategy and Economic Development presented the report.  He said the first instalment of the money had been budgeted for and this report was requesting another $222,000 for the next phase of the application process.

Cllr Turner suggested the Board try and foresee potential future project costs during the budget process to avoid mid-term budget requests.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.    Delegate authority to the  Executive Director, Sustainable City, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to join Magdalen College and Thames Water in the submission of a planning application for the South Oxford Science Village and, if necessary, to pursue the application at appeal.

2.    Approve pursuing the South Oxford Science Village site through the South Oxfordshire Local Plan process, including examination; and if necessary, through a planning appeal or call-in inquiry.

Give project approval for the sum of up to £220,000 representing the Council’s share of the costs in accordance with paragraph 4.5 of the Council’s constitution to cover additional technical studies and a planning application, and a potential call-in inquiry or appeal. This is in addition to the approved current budget provision of £560,000, which covers promoting the scheme through the Local Plan, and provides the basis for a potential planning application.