Agenda item

Outline application (including access and layout reserved matters) for the demolition of the existing conservatory and outbuildings and the erection of a detached two-storey dwelling together with access, parking and amenity space.

The committee considered planning application P23/S2337/O for the outline application (including access and layout reserved matters) for the demolition of the existing conservatory and outbuildings and the erection of a detached two-storey dwelling together with access, parking and amenity space, on land at Chiltern View, Moreton.  

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 Thame Town Council.

The planning officer informed the committee that the application would fix the layout and access of the site, but all other matters would be left for the reserved matters stage. He also noted that the site was not in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or a conservation area, and that the neighbourhood plan allowed for infill development in the settlement.

The proposal was for the demolition of the existing building and the creation of a proposed dwelling with private amenity which was assessed as being in accordance with the requirements in the design guide. Once the demolition was carried out, the planning officer also believed the plot to be wide enough for the dwelling.

The planning officer also emphasised that the parking provision was in line with Oxfordshire County Council requirements, and that the highways authority had no objection to the proposed front access, but that the boundary treatment would also be in the reserved matters application.

Although the appearance and scale of the dwelling on the site was reserved, the planning officer emphasised that an indicative street elevation was provided, and he noted that it appeared to indicate the dwelling would be a transitional building in size between a bungalow on one side and a substantial two storey dwelling on the other.

The planning officer informed members that, whist the dwelling would be visible from the neighbouring garden, it would be the normal and expected amount of visibility from a row of dwellings such as those on the road, and that privacy measures could be conditioned at the reserved matters stage. Although there was a window in the neighbouring kitchen that faced the proposed site, it was noted as being a secondary opening to the primary one in the kitchen that faced south-east, which would not be affected by the application.

As the planning officer considered the plot large enough to fit the proposed dwelling, that the principle of development was acceptable as it was considered infill, as there were no concerns about neighbouring amenity, and as there were no objections from technical consultees, he recommended that the application be approved.

Councillor Linda Emery spoke on behalf of Thame Town Council, objecting to the application. 

Jack Spence spoke objecting to the application. 

Jake Collinge, the agent representing the applicant, spoke in support of the application. 

The committee enquired into the plot size and the planning officer confirmed that there were a variety of plot sizes in the area and the one provided in the application exceeded the requirements for amenity space as required by the council’s design guide, and this response satisfied members.

On parking, the planning officer also confirmed that two off-street parking spaces was the requirement by Oxfordshire County Council for a four-bedroom house, but the scale of the dwelling would be confirmed at the reserved matters stage.

Members were satisfied with the officer’s report and the information provided on the parking standard. On vision splays, they noted that they would come out in future application, as well as the position of the windows. They also agreed that the proposed development would not negatively affect neighbouring amenity and that it should be considered an infill development.

Overall, the committee emphasised that the application before them was only an outline application and as they saw no material planning reasons to refuse it, they agreed that it should be approved, subject to conditions.

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

RESOLVED: to approve planning application P23/S2337/O, subject to the following conditions:

1. Commencement - Outline Planning Permission with Reserved Matters

2. Submission of Reserved Matters - General

3. Development to be in accordance with the approved plans unless varied by other conditions of consent

4. An access plan with vision splay details to be agreed prior to construction above slab level

5. Parking and manoeuvring areas to be retained as on plan

6. Cycle parking facilities to be agreed prior to construction above slab level

7. Energy Statement - details required at reserved matters stage

8. Biodiversity enhancement details to be agreed prior to construction above slab level

9. A landscaping scheme detailing the planting, hard surfacing and boundary treatments to be agreed prior to construction above slab level

10. Surface water drainage works – details to be agreed prior to construction, excluding demolition

11. Foul drainage works – details to be agreed prior to construction, excluding demolition

12. Withdrawal of Permitted Development (PD) rights for extensions