Agenda item

The erection of two apartments accessed from Bayswater Farm Road (as amended and amplified by revised site plan and vehicle swept path analysis and letter from Glanvilles received 24 March 2022, SAP calculations submitted on the 5 April 2022 and amended by site plan received 21 April 2022).

The committee considered application P22/S0519/FUL for the erection of two apartments accessed from Bayswater Farm Road (as amended and amplified by revised site plan and vehicle swept path analysis and letter from Glanvilles received 24 March 2022, SAP calculations submitted on the 5 April 2022 and amended by site plan received 21 April 2022) at Bayswater Farm, Bayswater Farm Road, near Sandhills.

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 informed the committee of a correction to the report, advising that the site was close to the green belt, but was not located within it. The committee was therefore informed that paragraphs 6.10-6.15 could be disregarded for the purposes of making a decision on this application. The planning officer reassured the committee that this alteration had no impact to the recommendation, with the application having been referred to the planning committee, as the recommendation conflicted with the view of the local parish council.

The planning officer explained that the site was not within an identified settlement within South Oxfordshire, and as a result could disregard conflict with local plan and housing policies, as there were material considerations which justified a departure. Thus, the site was located in an area that was attached to the built form of the Barton Estate and the location was sufficient justification to set aside the conflict with policy. The surrounding buildings were a mixture of styles, and the development would add beneficially to the local appearance.

The planning officer reported that the plans had been amended to provide sufficient vision for vehicle access and the amenity area was proportioned out to a more acceptable level. The height of the building in conjunction with the distance from the boundaries was such that there was not considered to be a materially harmful neighbourly impact, and the application was seen as being in accordance with the local plan. The planning officer concluded that subject to conditions, the application was recommended for approval.

Luca Perletta, local resident, spoke in objection to the application.

Nicky Brock and Tom Kennedy, the agent and the applicant respectively, spoke in support of the application. The committee asked whether the developers were considering the installation of air source heat pumps, and whether a verbal commitment could be given to their incorporation into the application. The speakers responded that they had already chosen an air source heat pump, and this would go into the design of the proposed application.

Councillor Tim Bearder, local ward member, spoke in support of the application.

The committee expressed concern with the site’s minimum size standard being two square metres below the minimum requirements which could lead to cramping. The planning officer accepted this concern but responded that for a previous appeal for a similar application, the planning inspector took the view that it was not justifiable to refuse an application on this ground if all the other aspects were acceptable.

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 P22/S0519/FUL subject to the following conditions:

Standard conditions

1.     Commencement three years – Full Planning Permission

2.     Approved Plans

Prior to construction above slab level conditions

3.     Schedule of Materials

4.     Surface water drainage

5.     Wildlife Protection (mitigation as approved)

Prior to occupation conditions

6.     Parking and Manoeuvring Areas Retained

7.     Energy Statement Verification

8.     Electric Vehicles Charing Point (implementation)

9.     Tree protection (implementation as approved)