Agenda and minutes

Venue: First Floor, 135 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Milton, OX14 4SB

Contact: Paul Bateman  Email:  paul.bateman@southandvale.gov.uk

Note: This meeting will be livestreamed. You can watch the broadcast using this link; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTj2pCic8vzucpzIaSWE3UQ 

Items
No. Item

155.

Chair's announcements

To receive any announcements from the chair and general housekeeping matters.

Minutes:

The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, outlined the procedure to be followed and advised on emergency evacuation arrangements.

 

156.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 283 KB

To adopt and sign as a correct record the Planning Committee minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 8 April 2021. 

Minutes:

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 8 April 2021 as a correct record and agree that the Chair sign these as such.

 

Following the passing of the motion, a query was raised as to whether Councillor Sue Rowlands was the speaker on behalf of Rotherfield Peppard parish Council. It was agreed that this would be checked by the democratic services officer.

 

157.

Declarations of interest

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

158.

Urgent business

To receive notification of any matters which the chairman determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent and to receive any notification of any applications deferred or withdrawn.

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.

159.

Proposals for site visits

Minutes:

It was proposed that a site visit be conducted for application P20/S4824/FUL,  18 Duke Street, Henley-on-Thames, due to concerns regarding waste and parking in the vicinity of the site. Due to these issues, a view was expressed that members would need to view the site in order to have a clear understanding of the concerns raised.

 

RESOLVED: to hold a site visit for application P20/S4824/FUL and defer the item until a visit had been completed.

 

160.

Public participation

To receive any statements from members of the public that have registered to speak on planning applications which are being presented to this committee meeting. 

Minutes:

The list showing members of the public who had registered to speak had been sent to the committee prior to the meeting. Statements received from the public were circulated to the committee prior to the meeting.

 

161.

P21/V0167/FUL / P21/S0274/FUL - Land at Former Didcot 'A' Power Station, Milton Road, Didcot pdf icon PDF 576 KB

Hybrid planning application consisting of;

a) Full Planning Application for the erection of a single storey 8,692 m2 Data Centre building (containing data halls, associated electrical and AHU Plant Rooms, loading bay, maintenance and storage space, office administration areas and screened plant at roof level), emergency generators and emission stacks, diesel tanks and filling area, electrical switch room, a water sprinkler pump room and storage tanks, a gate house/security building, MV substation, site access, internal access roads, drainage infrastructure, hard and soft landscaping and,

 

b) Outline Planning Application for the erection of a two storey 20,800 m2 Data Centre building (containing data halls, associated electrical and AHU Plant Rooms, loading bay, maintenance and storage space, office administration areas and screened plant at roof level), emergency generators and emission stacks, diesel tanks and filling area, electrical switch room, a water sprinkler pump room and storage tanks; details of appearance will be reserved, along with hard landscaping immediately around the building (as amended by plans and documents received 5th May 2021).

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The committee considered applications P21/V0167/FUL and P21/S0274/FUL for a hybrid planning application consisting of:

a.    Full Planning Application for the erection of a single storey 8,692 m2 Data Centre building (containing data halls, associated electrical and AHU Plant Rooms, loading bay, maintenance and storage space, office administration areas and screened plant at roof level), emergency generators and emission stacks, diesel tanks and filling area, electrical switch room, a water sprinkler pump room and storage tanks, a gate house/security building, MV substation, site access, internal access roads, drainage infrastructure, hard and soft landscaping and,

b.    Outline Planning Application for the erection of a two storey 20,800 m2 Data Centre building (containing data halls, associated electrical and AHU Plant Rooms, loading bay, maintenance and storage space, office administration areas and screened plant at roof level), emergency generators and emission stacks, diesel tanks and filling area, electrical switch room, a water sprinkler pump room and storage tanks; details of appearance will be reserved, along with hard landscaping immediately around the building (as amended by plans and documents received 5th May 2021) on land at the former Didcot A power station, Milton Road, Didcot.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

 

The planning officer provided an update to the committee that as the application had been a cross-boundary application, it had been considered by the Vale of White Horse Planning Committee the previous week, where it had received approval for planning permission. The planning officer also reported that the Oxfordshire Skills Board had recently submitted a response, which supported the proposal, as it was regarded as providing high value employment, opportunities, and supported the digital economy.

 

The planning officer explained that the proposed application sought 8,692 m2 of space for the first data centre, and outline permission for a second unit with  20,800 m2 of space. To ensure security, the site would be located within a secure compound which would include a security gatehouse. Furthermore, land would be retained to the west of unit two for potential future development, although this would be subject to a future application. The planning officer also highlighted that the power supply for the proposal would come from the National Grid, with a backup supply from diesel generators in the event of a power outage.

 

The planning officer added that, in principle, the proposal was acceptable and that the site had been allocated for re-development in the Vale of White Horse Local Plan and it accorded with the South Oxfordshire Local Plan. The height of the development was also considered acceptable and the contemporary design was considered suitable for the surroundings. Subject to conditions, the planning officer did not consider that this application would have a detrimental impact to its surroundings, and this included highway safety. While it was noted that Sutton Courtenay Parish Council had voiced objections due to concerns on pedestrian and cycle connections, the planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.

162.

P21/S0560/FUL - Land between Swallow Barn and 2 Church End Cottages, Waterperry Road, Holton, pdf icon PDF 407 KB

Erection of stable building and retention of associated access track and gate (as amended by drawing number 8195 BL A, to move the proposed stable further south and amplified by a proposed planting scheme received on 16/03/21) on land between Swallow Barn and 2 Church End Cottages, Waterperry Road, Holton.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The committee considered application P21/S0560/FUL for the erection of stable building and retention of associated access track and gate (as amended by drawing number 8195 BL A, to move the proposed stable further south and amplified by a proposed planting scheme received on 16/03/21) on land between Swallow Barn and 2 Church End Cottages, Waterperry Road, Holton.

 

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

 

The planning officer confirmed that the application had been called in by the former district councillor Sarah Gray, due to concerns relating to potential neighbour impact. The application site was located near to Holton and comprised land between Swallow Barn and 2 Church End. The application sought to retain the stone track. The application also sought planning permission for an L shaped stable building around 65m into the site, to be used in connection with the keeping and grazing of horses, and this stable would replace the two detached stables currently erected which did not benefit from planning permission. It was confirmed by the planning officer that during the course of the application, the proposed stable building had been relocated to facilitate a reduced impact on Swallow Barn and would be located further south and with the addition of planting. These changes were not considered to be overbearing or oppressive and would not impact the privacy of the neighbouring property or cause overshadowing. The planning officer also clarified that paragraph 6.15 of the report referred to a 20m distance, and this was measured from the stable to the original garden area of Swallow Barn and not to the extended garden. The planning officer added that the impact on trees, surface water drainage, and highway impact had been assessed in consultation with technical officers, who had no objections subject to the conditions attached to the recommendations. There were covenants on the land restricting use, however these were not planning considerations and, as such, did not affect the officer’s recommendation.

 

A statement by Holton Parish Council had been sent to the committee by the democratic services officer prior to the meeting.

 

A statement by Mr. and Mrs. Hargreaves, local residents, had been sent to the committee by the democratic services officer prior to the meeting.

 

Henry Venners, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

 

A motion moved and seconded, to grant planning permission was declared carried on being put to the vote.

 

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P21/S0560/FUL, subject to the following conditions;

 

1: Commencement three years – Full Planning Permission

2: Approved plans

3: Materials as on plan

4: Surface water drainage works (details required)

5: Tree Protection (General)

6: Landscaping implementation

7: Compliance with proposed block plan prior to first occupation

8: Private use of stables

 

163.

P20/S4824/FUL - 18, Duke Street, Henley-on-Thames pdf icon PDF 274 KB

Change of use of existing first and second floors from previous uses (now vacant) as a bank (Class E(c)(i)) and chiropractic practice (E(e)) to residential (C3) use. Proposed second floor extension over existing two-storey rear extension to create additional new residential (C3) units.  In total four new flats; one and two-bedroomed flats, accessed from Tuns Lane.  New access to flats on Ground Floor (remainder of Ground floor will remain as a retail unit, approved under P20/S3728/FUL granted 20/11/2020).  (As amended by plans received 2021-04-20 to omit third floor projection to the rear and reduction of units from five to four as a result) at 18, Duke Street, Henley-on-Thames.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Application P20/S4824/FUL was deferred to allow for a site visit, to view the location. The application would be considered at a later meeting once the site visit had been conducted.

 

 

 

164.

P20/S4181/FUL - 136, Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames pdf icon PDF 463 KB

Change of use from dentist's surgery (Class E) to two 2-bedroom flats (Class C3) incorporating single storey rear extension and changes to elevations facing road to remove redundant shopfront (first floor north-west facing bedroom windows obscure glazed and fixed shut and cycle stands added to front garden as shown on amended plans received 18th December 2020 and proposed rear rooflights shown on amended elevations and section plans received 16th June 2021) at 136 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The committee considered application P20/S4181/FUL for the change of use from dentist's surgery (Class E) to two 2-bedroom flats (Class C3) incorporating single storey rear extension and changes to elevations facing road to remove redundant shopfront (first floor northwest facing bedroom windows obscure glazed and fixed shut and cycle stands added to front garden as shown on amended plans received 18th December 2020 and proposed rear rooflights shown on amended elevations and section plans received 16th June 2021) at 136 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames.

 

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

 

The planning officer clarified that condition 6 in the report, which referred to the joinery and railing details, would also include brickwork, as windows were being adjusted to the proposed change of use.  The committee was informed that the application was supported in principle by local plan policy H3 and neighbourhood plan policy H4. It was added that a dental surgery was not classified as an essential community facility under local plan policy CF1. The application had demonstrated that the market for dental surgeries in the area was saturated. It was added that the application would offer significant improvements to the living conditions for nearby residents, compared with unrestricted uses which could be taken with permitted development rights. Officers considered the proposed changes of use to two flats would be more compatible to surrounding properties and the rear extension would not impact neighbouring amenities. The shortfall in outdoor amenity space would be acceptable due to the site’s sustainable location. The Oxfordshire County Council, the local highway authority had accepted the applicant’s data for the transport statement, incorporating  a ’parking beat survey’, with the view that the dental surgery would generate greater traffic in comparison to a proposed residential dwelling. The planning officer also reported that the application was fully compliant with local plan policy TRANS5, which sought to ensure that new development would provide a safe and convenient access for all users of the highway. Subject to the recommended conditions, officers considered that planning permission should be granted.

 

Councillor Ken Arlett, a representative of Henley Town Council, spoke objecting to the application.

 

Jonathan Parkinson, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

 

The committee raised a question to the applicant regarding the upstairs flat relating to the roof lights. Considering the location within the conservation area, the committee enquired whether the roof lights could be opened or if residents of the dwelling would be required to sleep in a bedroom without a window. The applicant explained that an existing roof light would be capable of being opened. A second question was asked around the previous attempt at selling the dental site and whether it had been advertised for the wider commercial market. The answer was that the sale had been specifically targeted for use as a dental surgery.

 

The planning officer was asked about the residential parking scheme which came into  ...  view the full minutes text for item 164.

 

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