Agenda item

Construction of two parking hubs (as amplified by drainage strategy received 1 July 2021, Written Scheme of Investigation and Archaeological Evaluation dated June 2021 and September 2021 and amended by additional drainage information received 9 August 2021 and amplified by Ecological Information submitted on the 13 September 2021).

The committee considered application P21/S1388/FUL for the construction of two parking hubs (as amplified by drainage strategy received 1 July 2021, Written Scheme of Investigation and Archaeological Evaluation dated June 2021 and September 2021 and amended by additional drainage information received 9 August 2021 and amplified by Ecological Information submitted on the 13 September 2021) at Culham Science Centre (CSC), Clifton Hampden.

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 reported that the application for the construction of two parking hubs, in the form of multi-storey structures, set in two areas referred in the application as the eastern and western sites. The application supported a reserve matters application on this site. The proposal would not represent an increase in vehicle movements as no new trips would be generated.

Mr. Steven Sensecall, the agent, spoke in support of the application.

Ms. Caroline Livingstone, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Sam Casey-Rerhaye, the local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

In response to a question regarding the number of electrical vehicle (EV) points to be installed, compared with the overall number of car parking spaces, Ms. Livingstone replied that the proposals included accommodation for cycles and electric bicycles and that every year the situation for these users was improving. The 45 EV points would be located at ground level and as the development was built out more points would be added. The intention of Culham Science Centre was to be responsive as demand increased, though a modal shift in transportation would take some time to achieve. The installation of EV points across the site would be reviewed by the science centre.

In response to a question regarding links between the site and the railway station, the agent and applicant responded that the science centre was in discussion with the railway company regarding the number of stopping trains at the station servicing the site. Additionally, the science centre were considering autonomous bus movements to and from the site in the longer term. 

The committee noted paragraph 6.15 of the report, which gave a breakdown of the 308 car parking spaces in their various locations. The planning officer advised the committee that the proposals had received no objection from the Oxfordshire County Council, as highways authority, and that CSC’s proposed movement strategy, alongside the site-wide travel plan for the science centre, was to promote and encourage employees to use alternative travel modes to the CSC. Such alternative travel modes included public transport, walking and cycling. In addition, the level of on-site car parking was to be consolidated and reduced where possible.

In response to a question from the committee in respect of the mitigation for the loss of trees, the planning officer responded that the council’s tree officer was working in the interests of retaining many trees and that proposed condition 4, (prior to the commencement of the development), concerned tree protection.

The committee considered that on balance the application should be supported. 

A motion moved and seconded, to grant planning permission was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to grant planning permission for application P21/S1388/FUL subject to the following conditions:

Standard conditions –

1 . Commencement three years - Full Planning Permission.

2 . Approved plans.

Prior to commencement conditions –

3 . Construction Traffic Management.

4 . Tree protection.

5 . Surface water drainage details to be approved.

6 . Biodiversity enhancement management plan to be approved.

7 . Certificate confirming the agreement of an offsetting provider.

Prior to occupation conditions –

8 .Electrical charging points as per plans.

9 .External lighting scheme.

Compliance conditions –

10. Materials as on plan.

11. Wildlife protection as approved.