Agenda item

Removal of lettable cabins; erection of two new dwellings with associated parking, secure and covered bicycle storage, refuse and recycling storage and private amenity space. (as amended plans to change size and design of dwellings received 9 March 2022 and 27 April 2022).

The committee considered application P21/S0666/FUL for the removal of lettable cabins; erection of two new dwellings with associated parking, secure and covered bicycle storage, refuse and recycling storage and private amenity space. (as amended plans to change size and design of dwellings received 9 March 2022 and 27 April 2022).

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 explained that the application was previously considered at the committee meeting on 8 June 2022, and was deferred for a site visit which was conducted on 18 July 2022. The planning officer confirmed that their recommendation continued to be for approval, but that they proposed an additional condition for the cabins to be removed prior to the occupation of the proposed dwellings.

The application was referred to the committee due to the objection from Didcot Town Council who held concerns on the size of the dwellings and the impact on neighbouring amenities. In addition, seven neighbouring objection letters were received during the consultation, with a further two being received in the second consultation. The main concerns were on the impact to the character of the area, loss in privacy, and overdevelopment. The current site had six cabins as part of a bed and breakfast, and the proposal would remove the lettable cabins and put two new dwellings on the site with the other proposed aspects of the application. The dwellings would be constructed with red brick and with a varied roof structure to reduce scaling. Following the end of the presentation and background information, the officer confirmed that the application was recommended for approval subject to the recommended conditions.

Mr Phil Larrs, a local resident, spoke in objection to the application.

The committee asked if the site met the minimum requirements of amenity space and distances from habitable rooms from adjoining properties, to which the planning officer confirmed it did meet the minimum requirements. A second question followed seeking clarification from the planning officer on how they would describe the character of the area and the surrounding landscape. The planning officer clarified their descriptive view and stated that the view from Park Road from the front was predominantly bungalows, but the rear of the site featured semi-detached two-storey dwellings.

The planning officer was asked on whether the height of the proposed buildings would be higher than the studio, and if so, how much higher would the proposed buildings be. The planning officer responded the studio would be 200 millimetres smaller than the application buildings. Following this, the committee were shown images of the design of the building following a request for more clarity on what the buildings would look like. It was confirmed that the buildings were uniformed in design.

The committee asked whether access to rubbish bins and their collection would be impacted, to which the planning officer confirmed there were no known issues with bin access related to 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 to application P22/S0666/FUL subject to the following conditions:

1.     Commencement three years – Full Planning Permission

2.     Approved plans

3.     Sample materials

4.     Surface water drainage

5.     Foul water drainage

6.     Parking and turning

7.     Landscaping

8.     Tree protection

9.     Energy statement verification

10.  Electric vehicle charging points

11.  Hours of operation – construction/demolition

12.  Removal of lettable cabins prior to occupation