Agenda and minutes

Venue: Meeting Room 1, Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE

Contact: Darius Zarazel, Democratic Services Officer  07917 088376

Items
No. Item

79.

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.

 

80.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Sam Casey-Rerhaye, who is attending the meeting virtually, and Tim Bearder.

81.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 269 KB

To adopt and sign as a correct record the Planning Committee minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2022. 

Minutes:

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2022 as a correct record and agree that the chair sign these as such.

 

82.

Declarations of interest

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests, and non-registrable interests or any conflicts of interest in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

83.

Urgent business

To receive notification of any matters which the chair 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circumstances which have made the matters urgent and to receive any notification of any applications deferred or withdrawn.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.

84.

Proposals for site visits

Minutes:

A proposal for a site visit for application P22/S0211/FUL at the main Gate, Culham Science Centre, near Clifton Hampden, was proposed. However, the proposal did not receive a seconder and so was not put forward for a vote.

85.

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 was tabled at the meeting.

86.

P22/S2273/HH - Park View 10A Manor Road Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1LT pdf icon PDF 239 KB

Proposed single storey side extension (as amended by plans received 11 August 2022).

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The committee considered planning application P22/S2273/HH for the proposed single storey side extension (as amended by plans received 11 August 2022), on land at Park View 10A Manor 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 the meeting. 

 

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted that the application presents revised plans for a one storey extension, down from the initially proposed one and a half storey side extension.

 

The planning officer also informed the committee that the gap between the extension and the boundary would be 200mm and that the main wall would be less the one metre above the hight of the boundary fence, with the roof sloping away from the boundary. As the planning officer did not consider there to be any material harm to the neighbour from the proposed modest extension, and that, as there are other dwellings on the street with similar side extensions close to boundaries, this proposed extension would not be out of character with the existing street scene and is therefore recommended for approval.

 

 

Councillor Ken Arlett spoke on behalf of Henley-on-Thames Town Council, objecting to the application. 

 

 

The committee had conducted a site visit prior to the discussion of the application. The committee noted the concern by the Town Council about a potential loss of light for the neighbour but overall felt the modest extension would not cause significant harm and that there were other properties with similar extensions close to boundaries along the road.

 

Overall, although the committee expressed concern around extensions coming close to boundaries, they could see no material planning reasons why the application could be refused and therefore felt that on balance this application should be approved.

 

 

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application was carried on being put to the vote. 

 

RESOLVED: to approve planning application P22/S2273/HH, subject to the following conditions:

 

1. Commencement of development within 3 years

2. Development to be carried out in accordance with the approved plans

3. Matching materials to be used

87.

P22/S0211/FUL - Main Gate Culham Science Centre near Clifton Hampden, OX14 3DB pdf icon PDF 298 KB

Construction of replacement entrance facility, including security hut and associated parking and landscaping.

 

(As amended by Archaeological Desk Based Assessment dated February 2022 and amplified by Phase 1 Desk Study dated November 2021 received 22 March 2022, Master Plan received 13 April 2022, Heritage Assessment received 27 April 2022 and Biodiversity Impact Assessment received 17 May 2022 and Section Plans and site plan accompanying Highways Note and email from agent received 29 June 2022 and revised planting plan received 3 August 2022)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The committee considered planning application P22/S0211/FUL for the construction of replacement entrance facility, including security hut and associated parking and landscaping (As amended by Archaeological Desk Based Assessment dated February 2022 and amplified by Phase 1 Desk Study dated November 2021 received 22 March 2022, Master Plan received 13 April 2022, Heritage Assessment received 27 April 2022 and Biodiversity Impact Assessment received 17 May 2022 and Section Plans and site plan accompanying Highways Note and email from agent received 29 June 2022 and revised planting plan received 3 August 2022), on land at Main Gate Culham Science Centre near Clifton Hampden.  

 

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 the meeting. 

 

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted that the application was brought to the committee due to the objection of the parish council. This application is a standalone application from the other applications on the site and is for a new replacement entrance facility.

 

The planning officer informed the committee that the current facility is of no architectural merit, whereas the proposed facility would provide architectural interest, and is sufficiently set back from the road so as to not be intrusive. The planning officer also clarified that the development would replace all parking spaces lost through the demolition and building of the new facility and that it would not create addition vehicle movement. Overall, as the planning officer believes that the proposed application would enhance the entrance to the Culham Science Centre while not being intrusive, it is recommended for approval.

 

 

Jaqi Mason spoke objecting to the application. 

 

Steven Sensecall, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application and Ian Wallace representing the applicant, who was present virtually, also spoke in support of the application. 

 

Councillor Sam Casey-Rerhaye, a local ward councillor and representative of Culham Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application.

 

 

Some members of the committee expressed an interest in conducting a site visit for the application in order to examine the site and see how effective the tree screening would be when viewed from neighbouring properties. However, the committee felt like a site visit was not necessary to make a judgment about the application due to the evidence provided in the planning officer’s report and presentation.

 

It was also noted that this is a standalone application and not conditional or dependant on the granting of permission for any further applications, or the completion of Oxfordshire County Council’s HIF proposal. 

 

A motion, moved and seconded, to defer consideration of the application in order to conduct a site visit was lost when being put to the vote.

 

 

The committee then asked the planning officer about the potential loss of trees but were satisfied with the response that any trees lost by the demolition and construction of the replacement facility would be replaced on site, and that the tree officer is happy with the replacement trees and their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

88.

P22/S2932/LB - Wall between No. 104 & 105 High Street Thame, OX9 3DZ pdf icon PDF 381 KB

Creation of new opening at the first floor level between 104 & 105 High Street to allow for increased covers for Caffe Gloria.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor David Bretherton stood down as chair as he is a ward member for the application but still participated in the discussion and voted on the application.

 

The committee considered planning application P22/S2932/LB for the creation of new opening at the first floor level between 104 & 105 High Street to allow for increased covers for Caffe Gloria, on land at the wall between No. 104 & 105 High Street Thame.  

 

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 the meeting. 

 

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted it was called into the committee by a local ward member, Councillor David Bretherton. The planning officer felt that the listed building consent to breach the wall between 104 and 105 High Street to allow for more seating for the café should not be granted as the Council’s conservation officer believe the harm to the building would outweigh the public benefit.

 

The conservation officer then informed the committee that in terms of category of harm, the buildings were at ‘less than substantial harm’ and that the bricks and their arrangement are not rare, although they look to be original to the building’s construction. 

 

 

Councillor Andy Gilbert spoke on behalf of Thame Town Council, objecting to the application. 

 

Dr Carole Fry, the heritage consultant for the applicants, spoke in support of the application.

 

Councillor David Bretherton, a local ward member, spoke in support of the application.

 

 

The committee noted that the bricks were original, and that there could be reasons for refusal, although it was still felt be some members that the economic benefit outweighed the effect on the historic buildings.

 

A motion, moved and seconded, to refuse the application for listed building consent was lost on being put to the vote with the chair exercising their casting vote.

 

 

Overall, the councillors generally agreed that as the bricks, their arrangement, and the skirting board are not rare, and that there would be an outsized benefit brought about through the inclusion of the vacant office space in 104 High Street by the Café in 105 High Street, the economic argument outweighs the architectural merit of the wall and therefore that the application should be granted, subject to the standard listed building consent conditions.

 

 

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application for listed building consent was carried on being put to the vote with the chair exercising their casting vote.

 

RESOLVED: to approve listed building consent application P22/S2932/LB subject to the following condition:

 

1. 3 year commencement condition, “The works hereby permitted shall be begun not later than three years from the date of this consent.


Reason: To comply with the provisions of section 18(1) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended by section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.”


2. approved plans listed building conditions, “That the works hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the details  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.

89.

P22/S2416/FUL and P22/S2417/LB - Town Farm 8 Oxford Road Thame, OX9 2AH pdf icon PDF 605 KB

Following previous renovation works to No.8 to create No.6, formal approval required for No.6 to be a separate dwelling.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor David Bretherton declared a personal interest as he knows the applicant and so will speak as a ward member but will not take part in the debate or vote on the application.

 

The committee considered planning applications P22/S2416/FUL and P22/S2417/LB for the formal approval required for No.6 to be a separate dwelling, following previous renovation works to No.8 to create No.6, on land at Town Farm 8 Oxford Road Thame.  

 

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 the meeting. 

 

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted that it was called into the committee by Councillor David Bretherton. The site relates to a grade 2 listed building and proposes changing the existing annex into a separate dwelling.

 

The planning officer also showed the committee the plans and photographs of the area, noting that the existing and proposed plans are the same as the work was done when the annex was built under previously approved plans. Overall, as the new additions of a garden and parking space meet the requirements, the planning office recommended the application be approved.

 

 

Councillor Andy Gilbert spoke on behalf of Thame Town Council, objecting to the application. 

 

Councillor David Bretherton, a local ward councillor, spoke supporting the application. 

 

 

The committee discussed the amenity space proposed for the new dwelling but were satisfied that the area would be in excess of 40 square metres and thus meet the requirements. Overall, the committee could not see any material planning reason for refusal for either the planning application or the listed building consent application and therefore agreed that the applications should be approved.

 

 

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the planning application was carried on being put to the vote. 

 

RESOLVED: to approve planning application P22/S2416/FUL, subject to the following conditions:

 

1. Commencement within 3 years

2. Development to be carried out in accordance with the approved plans

3. Boundary treatments and hardsurfacing to be agreed prior to occupation

 

A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the listed building consent application was carried on being put to the vote. 

 

RESOLVED: to approve listed building consent application P22/S2417/LB, subject to the following conditions:

 

1. Commencement within 3 years

2. Works to be carried out in accordance with the approved plans

90.

P22/S3052/HH - 8 The Croft Aston Tirrold, OX11 9DL pdf icon PDF 450 KB

Loft conversion including dormer window.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The committee considered planning application P22/S3052/HH for the loft conversion including dormer window, on land at 8 The Croft Aston Tirrold.  

 

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 the meeting. 

 

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted that the application requires planning permission as it is for a dormer window within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Outside of these areas, dormers are normally allowed through permitted development rights.

 

The planning officer highlighted that, although the dormer would not be easily viewed from the public footpath, as it was out of character with the surrounding area and not of a high-quality of design, the proposal is contrary to the policies in the Local Plan and should therefore be refused.

 

The committee agreed with the planning officer, that the proposed application was a poor design, out of character with the building and the surrounding area, and agreed that the application should not be approved.

 

 

A motion, moved and seconded, to refuse the application was carried on being put to the vote. 

 

RESOLVED: to refuse planning application P22/S3052/HH, for the following reason:

 

1.       That, having regard to the size, bulk and flat roofed design of the proposed rear dormer and its relationship to the eaves, ridge and hip of the existing roof, the proposal represents a poor form of design that is out of keeping with the character of the existing building and the prevailing character of the surrounding area which lies within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It is acknowledged that the dormer will have limited visibility from public vantage points however, it does not meet the high test to conserve and enhance the landscape and scenic beauty of the AONB required by paragraph 176 of the NPPF. In addition, the proposal is contrary to Policies DES1, DES2 and H20 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 and the advice in the Joint Design Guide.

 

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