Agenda item

Demolition of existing buildings, alterations to existing vehicular access to Reading Road, construction of new buildings for use by Bremont Watch Company, new access drive, car parking and landscaping.

The committee considered application P17/S1888/FUL to demolish the existing buildings, alter the existing vehicular access to Reading Road and to construct new buildings for use by Bremont Watch Company, a new access drive, car-parking and landscaping on land at Sheephouse Farm, Reading 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 this meeting.

David Bartholomew, an Oxfordshire County Councillor, spoke objecting to the application. 

Nik Lyzba, Giles English and Gareth Morris, the applicant’s agent and applicants, spoke in support of the application.

Will Hall, one of the local ward councillors, spoke objecting to the application. 

The committee were satisfied with the proposed extra floor-space being in a second storey rather than as a substantially increased footprint. Although concern was expressed regarding traffic impact with the extra members of staff on site; the committee were satisfied with the design wished to see the successful business remain in the area.

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

RESOLVED: to authorise the head of planning to grant planning permission for application P17/S1888/FUL, subject to:

      i.        The prior completion of a Section 106 planning obligation to secure financial contributions towards public transport improvements; and

    ii.        The following conditions:

1.    Commencement of development within three years.

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

3.    Samples of materials to be submitted and approved prior to the relevant part of the development commencing.

4.    Details of finished floor levels for the building and ground levels across

the site to be approved prior to the commencement of development.

5.    Landscaping scheme including hardsurfacing and boundary treatments to be implemented prior to occupation.

6.    Tree protection measures in accordance with the submitted details.

7.    No development, including demolition, to commence until a bat licence or mitigation measures have been agreed.

8.    No development, including demolition, to commence until a great crested newt licence or mitigation measures have been agreed.

9.    Contaminated land investigation and remediation strategy to be agreed.

10.Surface water drainage in accordance with SuDS (sustainable drainage) principles to be approved and implemented prior to first occupation.

11.Foul drainage to be approved and implemented prior to first occupation.

12.Archaeological evaluation to be carried out in accordance with a written scheme of investigation to be approved prior to the commencement of development.

13.External lighting in accordance with approved plan and no other lighting unless first agreed.

14.Development to meet BREEAM standard.

15.Off-site highway works in relation to provision of footways and bus stops as shown on the approved plans to be carried out prior to the occupation of the building.

16.Travel plan to be agreed prior to occupation.

17.Cycle parking and shower facilities to be provided prior to the occupation of the development in accordance with details to be approved.

18.Construction traffic management plan to be maintained in accordance with details to be approved prior to development commencing.

19.Construction method statement to be approved prior to development commencing.

20.Visibility splays and access to be constructed prior to occupation of the development.

21.Parking and turning areas to be provided in accordance with the approved plans prior to occupation of the development.

22.Any gates to be set back at least 12 metres from the edge of the carriageway and to open inwards.

23.Plant noise limits, building envelope specifications, internal and external noise levels as well as alternative means of ventilation to be provided in accordance with recommendations of submitted acoustic report.

24.Noise levels from plant and equipment to not exceed the existing background noise level at the boundary with neighbouring residential properties.

25.Occupation by Bremont only.

26.No change of use unless through the grant of planning permission.