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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber

Contact: Democratic Services 

Items
No. Item

52.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 46 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2022.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2022 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Members noted that the Planning officers had agreed to get back to Councillor Crossland regarding her question relating to the Delegated Decisions list from 28 February 2022. Item 4 on Page 90 – “Councillor Crossland noted this had been withdrawn, and asked why this was. The Officer was unsure of the reason and agreed to look into the application and report back.”

Officers confirmed that they would investigate and respond to Councillor Crossland directly.

 

 


53.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bolger. Councillor Postan substituted for Councillor Good, Councillor Mead substituted for Councillor Nicholls and Councillor St John substituted for Councillor Langridge.

 

 

 

 

 

54.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations from Members of the Committee on any items to be considered at the meeting.

Minutes:

A declarations of interest was received from Councillor Leverton who stated that he had put a call out for assistance regarding a charity pickup. A local business related to application 21/03342/OUT replied and gave assistance with a free delivery. The Committee and Chair noted this statement, and it was agreed that it would not have an influence on this application.

 

Councillor Crossland stated she may have a declaration of interest as her son-in-law owned one of the units in the industrial estate. The Chairman and Councillors noted Councillor Crossland’s interest, it was agreed that it would not have an influence on the application.

 

 

55.

Applications for Development pdf icon PDF 434 KB

Purpose:

To consider applications for development, details of which are set out in the attached schedule.

Recommendation:

That the applications be determined in accordance with the recommendations of the Business Manager – Development Management.

 

Page

Application Number

Address

Officer

11 - 24

21/01628/FUL

Church Farm Church End

 

Sarah Hegerty

 

25 - 32

21/02106/FUL

Church Farm Church End

 

Sarah Hegerty

 

33 - 47

21/02779/FUL

61 High Street Standlake

 

David Ditchett

 

48 - 62

21/03342/OUT

Land South West Of Downs Road

 

Abby Fettes

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

21/03342/OUT - Land South West Of Downs Road, Curbridge Business Park, Witney.

The Business Manager, Phil Shaw introduced the application for outline planning permission for a residential development comprising up to 75 dwellings, up to 40% affordable housing provision and public open space. (All matters reserved.)

Councillor Crossland stated she may have a declaration of interest as her son-in-law owned one of the units mentioned by Mr Shaw in the industrial estate. The Chairman and Councillors noted Councillor Crossland’s interest, it was agreed that it would not have an influence on the application.

Mr Nicholas Daruwalla spoke in support of the application. A copy of his statement is attached to the original copy of these minutes.

Mr Shaw continued with his presentation and summarised that the Planning Department had received 31 enquiries about the land and there was a strong interest locally, with existing businesses adjacent to the land. The officers’ recommendation was based in principle to policy and the Development Plan, which stated the importance to grow business in Witney. Mr Shaw also reminded Councillors that there was a noise barrier of over nine metres high within the application, which would be intrusive to the families within the proposed housing development.

Councillor Woodruff stated that he had watched this site for several months, had recently visited with Councillor Haine, walked the route, and found access only via an existing housing estate. He advised that he would much prefer housing on the site. Councillor Woodruff felt that Councillors would benefit from a site visit, and suggested they defer the decision until Councillors had seen the land.

Councillor Postan thought that the land would be better served with a local commercial business on site, as people could walk to work rather than travel. He also thought that the application proposal lacked sustainability details, and that housing built now would need to be brought up to sustainability standard in just a couple of years.

Councillor Haine concurred that he had visited the site, and that he was aware land had already been purchased to create commercial access for local business’s at the adjacent depot., so they would not have to go via the housing estate for access. Mr Shaw concurred that land for new commercial access had been bought.

Councillor Crossland noted that the District Local Plan had taken a lot of serious hard work to create, and that this application was asking Members to disregard their own policies. She felt that other potential uses for the land were irrelevant, the application clearly went against Council policy and therefore felt Members should support the officers’ recommendation and refuse the application. Councillor Leverton agreed, and added that the number of houses being developed would increase the daily traffic too, and he supported the officers recommendation.

Councillor Woodruff, requested clarification of the adjacent land purchase for business access, whether the land had definitely been purchased, and felt that if the decision was deferred for a site visit, it would give extra time to seek  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

56.

Applications Determined under Delegated Powers and Appeal Decisions pdf icon PDF 129 KB

Purpose:

To inform the Sub-Committee of applications determined under delegated powers and any appeal decisions.

Recommendation:

That the reports be noted.

 

Minutes:

The report giving details of applications determined under delegated powers was received and noted.