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Agenda and minutes

Lowlands Area Planning Sub-Committee - Monday, 14th July, 2025 2.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Woodgreen, Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 1NB. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services 

Media

Items
No. Item

22.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence from members of Sub-Committee. The quorum for the Sub-Committee is 4 members.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Michael Brooker.  Councillor Joy Aitman substituted for Councillor Brooker.

 

23.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest from members of the Sub-Committee on any items to be considered at the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Declarations of Interest were received from the following councillors.

 

24/03154/FUL 2 Manor Road, Ducklington.

Councillor Adrian Walsh declared Manor Road was in his ward but he was not predetermined.

 

24/03277/FUL Land (E) 441191 (N) 205720 Blackditch, Stanton Harcourt.

Councillor Steve Cosier declared that Blackditch was in his ward but he was not predetermined.

 

25/01071/ADV First Floor, Unit 1, Des Roches Square, Witney and 25/00800/FUL Windrush Leisure Centre, Witney.

 

Councillor Andrew Prosser and Councillor Rachel Crouch declared that they were both Executive Members and would not vote on the applications 25/01071/ADV First Floor, Unit 1, Des Roches Square, Witney and 25/00800/FUL Windrush Leisure Centre, Witney as these were properties owned by West Oxfordshire District Council.

 

24.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 61 KB

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on Tuesday 27 May 2025.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Pages 8-9 Councillor Sarah Veasey asked that the word “to” be replaced with the word “from” in the sentence

·         Charlbury to the A44 via the B4437 as an alternative to further north on the A44 at Neat Enstone.

on both pages 8 and 9 of the minutes of the previous meeting.

 

 

Councillor Michele Mead proposed that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 27 May 2025 be agreed by the Sub-Committee as a true and accurate record. This was seconded by Councillor Sarah Veasey, was put to the vote and was agreed by the Sub-Committee.

 

The Sub-Committee Resolved to:

  1. Agree the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 27 May 2025 as a true and accurate record.

 

25.

Applications for Development pdf icon PDF 582 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 Head of Planning.

 

Pages

Application No.

Address

Planning Officer

13-26

24/03154/FUL

2 Manor Road, Ducklington, Witney

Clare Anscombe

27-43

24/03277/FUL

Land (E)441191 (N)205720 Blackditch, Stanton Harcourt

James Nelson

44-47

25/01071/ADV

First Floor, Unit 1, Des Roches Square, Witney

George Matthews

48-55

25/00800/FUL

Windrush Leisure Centre, Witney

James Nelson

 

 

 

Additional documents:

26.

24/03277/FUL Land (E)441191 (N)205720 Blackditch, Stanton Harcourt.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

James Nelson, Principal Planner, presented the application for the demolition of existing stable building. Erection of seven dwellings with associated works to include new access road, carports, parking bays and soft and hard landscaping (amended plans).

 

The Principal Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:

·         The application was before the Sub-Committee due to objections from the Parish Council and 29 objections submitted to the Council website.

·         A 19th century stable within the site fronted Blackditch and was alongside Granary Way, which had a recent development of 40 dwellings. The site contained hardstanding and grassed paddock. 

·         Listed buildings lie in close proximity to the site but their setting would not be adversely impacted. The Conservation Area Charter Appraisal identified the stable as being locally listed. The stables were in poor condition and had been significantly altered and the Conservation Officer raised no objection to the scheme.

·         The site had previously been considered for a village shop but no permission was in place and no mechanism to secure its delivery.

·         The proposal included a row of five three bedroom terraced houses and two further four-bedroom houses set behind with access to an internal road off Granary Way. The northern wall of the stables would be largely retained as a boundary wall.

 

Mark Barnard addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application raising the following points: parking and road safety, the development should not compromise highway safety or the convenience of other road users. The access to the site was narrow. The site was on the route to school and was used by both pedestrians and parents driving their children to school. Over development of the site and lack of engagement from the developer and the local residents. The site for seven homes would result in over development.

 

Graham Russell addressed the Sub-Committee in objection to the application which raised the following points: road safety concerns especially at school drop off and pick up times. The junction at Granary Way would become more dangerous and hazardous. The development did not respect the local character of the village and surrounding and was of a compact design. With Granary Way housing, the site of more housing would be over development.

 

Clarification was requested on the concerns of road safety and visibility when cars are parked. The speaker confirmed that the junction at Granary was very tight and parked cars resulted in moving traffic having to drive on the wrong side of the road to manoeuvre around parked vehicles.

 

Sam Cook addressed the Sub-Committee in support of the application which raised the following points: The site had been earmarked for a shop but the there had been little interest, and the project did not go ahead.  The Council were unable to demonstrate a five-year land supply which put the application at an advantage due to a need for housing.  Highways guidance on parking had been met and there were no objections raised by Highways. The application had been amended by working with the planning team and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

24/03154/FUL 2 Manor Road, Ducklington

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Clare Anscombe, Planner, presented the application for the erection of a bungalow and creation of a new access (amended description and plans).

 

The Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:

 

  • The application had been brought before the sub-committee due to objections from the Parish Council which raised concerns of over-development and being incongruous to the street scene.
  • The application was for a one-bedroom dwelling located in the garden of the site next to the existing bungalow. The application included the creation of access onto Manor Road.
  • The site was situated on a corner plot on Manor Road and Curbridge Road The property backed onto the main road A415, with a no through road to the main road.
  • A hedgerow was along the existing boundary and a 2m high fence along the side elevation which would make up the boundary.
  • The property would be constructed from brick, render and UPVC windows and doors with a tile roof and gravel forecourt.
  • The site was located in Ducklington Village. The application was in accordance with policies H2 and OS2 of the Local Plan which stated that new dwellings were permitted on undeveloped land. 
  • The Council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and paragraph 11 of the NPPF framework applied to this application.
  • The design was modest and would not have an adverse impact on the character of the area. The proposed external amenity space was considered to be sufficient in size and arrangement and met the minimum gross internal floor areas set out in the national government’s technical housing standards. There was a need for one-bedroom dwellings in the area.
  • There were no objections from Highways concerning safety. Ecology required amended biodiversity net gain information was required, these matters could be delegated back to officers for a resolution with the applicant subject to approval of the Sub-Committee.
  • The application was recommended for provisional approval with matters related to biodiversity net gain delegated back to officers for resolution.

 

The Chair then invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application, which raised the following points:

  • Clarification on the floor space and whether the property would be suitable for a couple or for a single person. The Planner advised that the application had been assessed as a one person dwelling and as such it met the standards set out.
  • Clarification on boundary and any future impact on the boundary if a footpath was put in beside the main road which then cut through and joined Manor Road. The Planner confirmed that there would not be an impact on the boundary as it would not change. The application was based on the current information and there was no indication a footpath was planned.

 

Councillor Nick Leverton proposed that the Sub-Committee approve the application subject to the conditions set out in the report and the resolution of matters related to biodiversity net gain.   This was seconded by Councillor Adrian Walsh and put to the vote.

 

Voting Record – unanimous.

 

 

The Sub-Committee Resolved to:

  1. Approve the application subject to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

28.

25/01071/ADV First Floor, Unit 1, Des Roches Square, Witney.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Fern Lynch, Principal Planner, presented the application for the erection of two fascia signs and window graphics (amended description).

 

The Principal Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:

  • The application had come before the Sub-Committee due to the West Oxfordshire District Council owning the land the site was on.
  • There were no objections from the Local Highways Authority, Witney Town Council or the Conservation and Design Officer.
  • The property on Des Roches Square faced out onto Witan Way. The signs would not be facing residential housing and had a minimal impact on the surrounding area in accordance with the conservation area.
  • One sign would be illuminated, and one non-illuminated with measurements in accordance with Oxfordshire County Council Guidance.
  • The proposed sign was acceptable in design terms and would not compromise highway safety. The application was in accordance with policies OS2, OS4, EH10 and T4 of the Local Plan and the Advertisements Consent Regime.

 

The Chair then invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application, which raised the following points:

  • Clarification of the application coming before the sub-committee as a formality due to the Council owning the land the building is located on.

 

Councillor Michele Mead proposed that the Sub-Committee approve the application in line with officer recommendations.  This was seconded by Councillor Nick Leverton and put to the vote

 

Voting Record – Unanimous

 

Councillor Crouch and Councillor Prosser did not take part in the vote due to their roles in the Executive.

 

The Sub-Committee Resolved to:

  1. Approve the application in line with officer recommendations.

 

 

29.

25/00800/FUL Windrush Leisure Centre, Witney

Additional documents:

Minutes:

James Nelson, Principal Planner, presented the application for the decarbonisation scheme with plant on existing roof and erection of timber clad enclosure around the air source heat pumps.

 

The Principal Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:

  • The application was before the sub-committee as it was submitted on behalf of West Oxfordshire District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council owned the premises.
  • The application was for the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), associated timber clad enclosure and roof-mounted plant equipment at the Windrush Leisure Centre in order to facilitate the decarbonisation scheme.
  • The site was located within the Witney and Cogges Conservation area and within flood zone 1, however near to the site the flood zones changed to 2 and 3 as they were associated with the River Windrush.
  • The ground mounted plant would be at the rear of the building on hard standing land with a minimal impact to parking due to the loss of some spaces. There would be no impact on the character of the building and surrounding site.
  • The application was in accordance with policies OS1, OS2, OS3, OS4, EH2, EH3, EH7, EH8, EH9 and EH10, the recommendation was for approval subject to conditions.

 

The Chair then invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application, which raised the following points:

 

  • Members asked for clarification on whether a noise assessment had been done. The Principal Planner advised that there had been consultation with the Environmental Health Team considered fencing and sound reducing equipment would mitigate any adverse impacts to the surrounding area.

 

 

Councillor Nick Leverton proposed that the Sub-Committee approve the application in line with the officer recommendations.  This was seconded by Councillor Adrian Walsh and put to the vote

 

Voting Record – 7 for the proposal, 1 against and 1 abstention

 

Councillor Crouch and Councillor Prosser did not take part in the vote due to their roles in the Executive.

 

 

The Sub-Committee Resolved to:

  1. Approve the application in line with officer recommendations.

 

30.

Applications Determined under Delegated Powers pdf icon PDF 199 KB

Purpose:

To inform the Sub-Committee of applications determined under delegated powers.

 

Recommendation:

  1. That the report be noted by the Sub-Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report giving details of the applications determined under Delegated Powers was received, explained by the officers and noted by the Sub-Committee.

 

Page 60 Item 13: Councillor Prosser asked for feedback from the Tree Officer regarding the case.  The Principal Planner agreed to arrange this for Councillor Prosser.

 

31.

Appeal Decisions pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Purpose:

To inform the Sub-Committee of any appeal decisions.

 

Recommendation:

1.    That the report be noted by the Sub-Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report giving details of the appeals was received, explained by the officers and noted by the Sub-Committee.

 

 

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