Agenda item

Residential development comprising 555 dwellings, a one form entry primary school, associated landscaping and open spaces, construction of a new access onto the A4130 Calvin Thomas Way/Bosley Way, construction of a public transport link/emergency access onto Wantage Road and other supporting infrastructure works and facilities.

The committee considered application P14/S2860/O for a residential development comprising 555 dwellings, a one form entry primary school, associated landscaping and open spaces, construction of a new access onto the A4130 Calvin Thomas Way/Bosley Way, construction of a public transport link/emergency access onto Wantage Road and other supporting infrastructure works and facilities at land to the west of Wallingford (Site B), Wallingford.

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.

Officer update:

A further representation had been received from Oxfordshire County Council clarifying the requirements of the S106 agreement.

Three further letters had been received from neighbours raising the following issues and the need for mitigation:

·           Noise – need for acoustic fencing

·           Boundary treatments – security and landscaping

·           CCTV

·           Light pollution

·           Detail of highway construction not shown on plans

Two further conditions would be added to the recommendation:

·         Housing Mix to be as per Table 3 unless otherwise agreed in writing

·         Any CCTV to be agreed in writing

The officer also provided clarification on some of the conditions as follows:

·         Condition 4 – Time limit to include submission of first reserved matters within 6 months of outline permission, implementation to begin within 1 year of approval of first reserved matters

·         Condition 21- to include reference to sustainable design and secure by design

·         Condition 27 – to include reference to boundary treatments

·         Condition 34 – details of lighting to cover street lighting and residential

Adrian Lloyd, a representative of Wallingford Town Council, spoke about the application.  Whilst the town council had no objection in principle to the application, its concerns included:

·         The height of the properties should be restricted to two storey;

·         Further improvements to roundabouts were required;

·         Drainage and sewerage arrangements may not be sufficient. Who will pay for the maintenance?; and

·         The no access to Queens Avenue should be enforced by a condition and by a physical barrier.

Steve Capel-Davies, a representative of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Parish Council, spoke objecting to the application.  The parish council’s concerns included:

·         The height of the three storey development at the entrance to the site;

·         The visual impact of the development;

·         The speed limit along the by-pass should be reduced for safety reasons; and

·         The increased light pollution.

John Gordon, representing Sustainable Wallingford, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included:

·         The need for a sustainable drainage system management plan to reduce the risk of flooding;

·         Environmental sustainability was not being given sufficient priority; and

·         There should have been wider consultation on the proposals.

Angus Michie, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application:

·         There had been wide consultation with stakeholders prior to the application;

·         The access arrangements had been agreed with the highways authority; and

·         This was an outline application. Many of the objections related to matters of detail which could be addressed at the design stage.

Imran Lokhon, one of the local ward members, spoke about the application. He welcomed the extra conditions recommended but expressed concerns including:

·         The percentage of affordable housing offered was disappointing;

·         Further measures were required to reduce the risk of flooding; and

·         Some of the S106 contributions should be allocated to specific purposes rather than general headings.

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

RESOLVED: to delegate authority to grant planning permission for application P14/S2860/O to the head of planning subject to: