Agenda item

An outline application, with all matters reserved except for access, for up to 200 dwellings; a building for community use (D2 Use); open space; a sustainable drainage system; and associated infrastructure.

David Turner, the local ward councillor, stepped down from the committee and took no part in the debate or voting for this item.

The committee considered outline application P17/S0094/O for up to 200 dwellings; a building for community use; open space; a sustainable drainage system; and associated infrastructure with all matters reserved except for access on land west of Marley Lane, Chalgrove.

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 updates: the applicants had requested that the committee were made aware that the neighbourhood plan group were now supportive of the application.

Jacky Nabb, a representative of Chalgrove parish council and chair of the Chalgrove neighbourhood plan, spoke in support of the application:

·         This application is the preferred site option in the draft neighbourhood plan and has been throughout the process;

·         The development would be easily integrated into the village, has good access to services and respects the linear form of the village;

·         The housing mix represents the neighbourhood plan requirements;

·         Flood risk would be reduced as the site is downstream of the village; and

·         The developers have worked with the neighbourhood plan group to produce the application.

Christian Leigh, a representative of objectors, spoke objecting to the application. His concerns included the following:

·         Objections on the grounds of sustainability and traffic impact as the site is 20 minutes’ walk from the village and three minutes by car;

·         The development would mean Chalgrove sprawls westwards;

·         It is premature to approve on the grounds of the neighbourhood plan as it is at an early stage, not yet supported by residents and therefore carries limited weight;

·         Concern for the landscape impact; and

·         Future sites should be considered together.

Colin Campbell, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application:

·         The applicants started engagement with the neighbourhood plan group two and a half years ago;

·         The development respects and reflects the character of Chalgrove as a linear village;

·         The site has good access to local services and is 100m from a bus route;

·         The applicants have agreed a contribution of £400,000 towards enhancing the local bus service and £52,000 to install four new bus stops;

·         There will be significant contributions towards community infrastructure, including a new scout hut, open space and improved water supply to the allotments;

·         The limited landscape and heritage harm will be mitigated; and

·         There are no outstanding objections from technical consultees.

In response to questions from the committee, it was confirmed that a shorter commencement date of two years could be conditioned.

David Turner, the local ward councillor, spoke in support of the application.  The points he raised included the following:

·         The neighbourhood plan would have been completed had it not been for external issues, such as the recent flooding in Chalgrove and inconsistent NDP support from South Oxfordshire District Council;

·         This is the preferred development site for the village as the site is downstream of the village; and

·         The development would provide the full SHMA allocation.

The committee considered the application, with advice from officers where appropriate.

A motion, moved and seconded, to authorise the head of planning to grant planning permission, to include a reduction in commencement date to two years, was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to authorise the head of planning to grant planning permission for application P17/S0094/O, subject to the following:

i.        The prior completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure the affordable housing, financial contributions and other obligations stated above; and

ii.        The following conditions:

1.    Approved plans.

2.    Commencement - outline with reserved matters.

3.    Residential travel statement.

4.    Maximum number of dwellings.

5.    Levels (details required).

6.    Market housing mix (outline).

7.    Sample materials required (all).

8.    Sustainable design.

9.    Refuse and recycling storage (details required).

10.Fire hydrants.

11.Cycle parking facilities.

12.Construction traffic management.

13.Highways.

14.Landscaping (including hard surfacing and boundary treatment).

15.Construction environmental management plan.

16.Landscape management plan.

17.Biodiversity enhancement plan.

18.Arboricultural method statement.

19.Landscape and ecology management plan.

20.Bat survey.

21.Construction method statement.

22.Archaeology (submission and implementation of a written scheme of investigation).

23.Estate accesses, driveways and turning areas.

24.Hours of construction.

25.External lighting.

26.Foul drainage.

27.Air quality.