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Agenda and minutes

Lowlands Area Planning Sub-Committee - Monday, 13th October, 2025 2.00 pm

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

Contact: Democratic Services 

Media

Items
No. Item

61.

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 Councillors David Melvin, Steve Cosier and Adrian Walsh.

 

Councillor Dan Levy substituted for Councillor Steve Cosier.

Councillor Liam Walker substituted for Councillor Adrian Walsh.

 

62.

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 if Interest were received from the following councillors.

 

25/01129/FUL Land West of Nursery.

The Chair, Councillor Andy Goodwin, declared that he knew the applicant and would leave the Council Chamber when the application was heard.

 

Councillor Nick Leverton declared he knew the applicant and would not vote on the application.

 

25/01606/FUL 6 Marriots Walk, Witney.

Councillors Rachel Crouch and Andrew Prosser as members of the Executive, they would not vote on the application.

 

25/01782/FUL Windrush Inn, Burford Road, Witney.

Councillor Lyon knew the applicant but was not pre-determined.

63.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 80 KB

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on Monday 8 September 2025.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting were queried by a public speaker who attended the Lowlands Area Planning Sub-Committee on Monday 8 September 2025. Democratic Services reviewed the minutes and explained that since minutes of meetings were not recorded verbatim, no changes would be made.

 

Councillor Michele Mead proposed that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 8 September 2025 be agreed by the Sub-Committee as a true and accurate record. This was seconded by Councillor Rachel Crouch, was put to the vote and agreed unanimously by the Sub-Committee.

 

The Sub-Committee resolved to:

  1. Agree the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 8 September 2025.

 

64.

Applications for Development pdf icon PDF 564 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

17-32

25/01129/FUL

Land West Of The Nursery, 6 Oxford Road, Eynsham.

Clare Anscombe

33-40

25/01606/FUL

6 Marriotts Walk,  Witney.

Clare Anscombe

 

41-45

25/01782/FUL

Windrush Inn, Burford Road, Witney.

Ella Charles

 

 

Additional documents:

65.

25/01129/FUL Land West Of The Nursery, 6 Oxford Road, Eynsham.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair left the Council Chamber and the Vice-Chair took over proceedings whilst this application was heard.

 

Clare Anscombe Senior Planner presented the application for the erection of 1 self build dwelling with garage.

 

The Senior Planner’s presentation addressed the following points.

  • The members of the sub-committee had attended the site visit before the meeting.
  • The site was near St Leonards Church (a Listed Building), and within a scheduled monument site, a national historic site. Special consent should be sought for any works proposed on a scheduled monument site.
  • Scheduled ancient monuments are  nationally important historic sites that have been given legal protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archeological Areas Act to  ensure their preservation.

 

  • The site was screened by shrubbery and there are other Grade II listed buildings close to the site.
  • The plot was set back from neighbouring properties. The proposed dwelling would have a garage built at the front. Red brick, render, and a slate tile roof would be used. The height of the proposed dwelling would exceed the neighbouring property.

 

The Heritage Officer raised the following points:

  • Gave a history of the site from the 11th century onwards. An Abbey was previously on the site.
  • Historic England had raised concerns and objected to the current proposal. They have stated that the site, a former monastery has exceptional significance.
  • The site was a Scheduled Monument, and no archaeological evaluation had been done. There were buried assets where the Abbey had stood that also needed to be taken into consideration.
  • The impacts on the listed buildings, St Leonards church and others beyond the site were considered and the proposed application would be harmful to these.
  • Future developments were also considered and concerns raised where the site may be diminished.

 

John Jago, the applicant, addressed the Sub-committee and raised the following points:

  • There was no street view from the site. The area was framed from view by housing and gardens along the Oxford Road to the north and a tree -lined recreation area to the east.
  • The house the applicantpreviously lived in, number 6 Oxford Road, and its garden has not created any harm to the scheduled monument, and it was felt by the applicant neither would the proposed self-build house.
  • The applicant felt that the proposal would bring a neutral effect to the conservation area and the extensive grounds of the Eynsham Abbey Scheduled Monument.

 

The Senior Planner’s presentation addressed the following points.

  • The Council cannot currently demonstrate a five year housing land supply therefore a presumption in favour of sustainable development applied and so Officers were required andconsider whether the application of policies in the National Planning Policy Framework that protect areas or assets of particular importance provide a strong reason for refusing the development proposed.
  • In doing this, policies relating to designated heritage assets are relevant. This includes the scheduled monument, conservation area and listed buildings. The scheduled monument is legally protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act.
  • Scheduled monument consent had not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

66.

25/01606/FUL 6 Marriotts Walk, Witney

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair returned to the Council Chamber and resumed his role of chairing the meeting.

 

Clare Anscombe, Senior Planner presented the application for the conversion of existing unused unit to create a micro-brewery and taproom / café to include replacement frontage, provision of outdoor seating and extraction/ ventilation/ heating system.

 

 

The Senior Planner’s presentation addressed the following points.

  • The application was before the Sub-Committee due to the site being owned by the Council which is situated at the north end of Marriott’s Walk and east of Woodford Way.
  • The unit was on a second shopping frontage, with dwellings above.
  • The site came within the Witney and Cogges Conservation Area.
  • The proposed replacement to frontage included new glazing, new window to kitchen, a double door and sliding folding doors. Framing was to be black or dark grey and a condenser pump unit was proposed on the western elevation. The existing blockwork would be rendered with a smooth finish.
  • The proposed use was for a mixed use microbrewery and taproom café with the sale of beer and merchandise for consumption on or off the premises, some live events, the cooking of some foodstuffs to be sold in the cafe and brewing of beer.
  • The application stated that ex -services personnel would be mainly employed within the business.
  • The proposal would complement the existing shopping offer by driving footfall and provide a unique and locally distinctive experience, positively contribute to the function and vitality of the town centre by making use of an underused space, and celebrate local heritage. The proposed use complied with policies E6 and WIT5 of the adopted local plan.
  • The council's environmental health officers were satisfied that the proposed development was  acceptable subject to conditions. There were no objections on highway safety, parking or flood risk grounds. 
  • The proposed design was modern and in the view of Officer’s, did not affect the character of the conservation or appearance of the area.
  • The application was recommended for approval, subject to conditions.

 

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

  • It was confirmed the application was before the Sub-Committee due to the Council’s ownership of the property.
  • Members asked the Condition 7 working hours be altered from 8am - 6pm, to 9am-5pm out of respect to the neighbouring residents and to minimalise disruption.
  • Clarification was asked about the licensing regarding music. The Environmental Health Officer had asked for a Noise Management Plan which would cover the issue of music on the site.

 

Councillor Michele Mead proposed that the Sub-Committee approve the application in line with the officer recommendations, with an amendment to Condition 7. Demolition and construction works shall not take place outside the 09.00 hours to 17.00 hours Monday to Friday. This was seconded by Councillor Liam Walker and put to the vote.

 

Voting Record – 9 for, 0 against, 2 abstentions.

 

The Sub-Committee Resolved to:

  1. Approve the application in line with the officer recommendations, with an amendment to Condition 7. Demolition and construction  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

67.

25/01782/FUL Windrush Inn, Burford Road, Witney

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Ella Charles, Planner presented the application for the erection of a wooden climbing frame (retrospective).

 

The planners presentation addressed the following points.

  • The application had been brought before the sub-committee due to objection from Witney Town Council.
  • The site was surrounded by residential development and was accessed via Burford Road to the south. The climbing frame sat to the east of the pub building in the adjacent pub garden. The neighbouring properties ran alongside the pub garden.

 

David Highton spoke in objection to the application and raised the following points:

  • Was speaking on behalf of his neighbour Mrs Kerr as well.
  • Asked for the climbing frame to be moved away from their properties and neighbouring properties to a more suitable location.
  • Explained that their properties can be looked into from the location of the climbing frame, often older children use the frame. The sound of children can be high pitched.
  • The impact on his family and offered a financial contribution to relocate the climbing frame.

 

Mia Lester, applicant addressed the sub-committee and raised the following points:

  • Had liaised with neighbours and shown the brochure of the climbing frame.
  • The frame was designed for children under 10 years old.
  • The position had been carefully thought out to enable children to play safely. The garden was fenced and the garden seating is located near the gate access to the garden. This is to enable staff to serve food and drinks to guests without risking accidents with younger children.
  • The climbing frame could not be relocated to the rear of the pub due to the angle of the garden and lack of fencing. No company could be found to take on this work due to liability.

 

The planners presentation addressed the following points:

·         The climbing frame was a timber frame construction consisting of timber posts and supporting cross beams. Officers considered the climbing frame to be a moderate, well -designed structure which formed a logical complement to the existing pub garden setting.

·         The climbing frame, whilst visible from the street scene, was not considered to give rise to any adverse impacts given the garden's set -back nature and the proportional design of the frame.

·         Concerns of the neighbouring properties had been acknowledged however the climbing frame was not a solid or enclosed structure, it was not deemed to result in any significant harm to amenity of adjoining properties in terms of loss of light, overlooking and overbearing matters

·         The position of the climbing frame at the front of the adjacent properties, any associated noise impacts were expected to be minimal.

·         The proposed climbing frame was considered to be a proportionate well -designed addition to the pub garden which provided a safe place for children to play whilst visiting the pub. The application was recommended for approval.

 

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

68.

Applications Determined under Delegated Powers pdf icon PDF 128 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 application determined under Delegated Powers was received, explained by officers and noted by the Sub-Committee.

 

69.

Appeal Decisions

There are no appeal decisions since the previous Lowlands Area Planning Sub-Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

70.

Progress on Enforcement Cases pdf icon PDF 297 KB

Purpose:

To provide an update on progress in respect of priority enforcement investigations.

 

Recommendation:

1.    That the progress and nature of the outstanding enforcement investigations be noted by the Sub-Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Kelly Murray, Principal Planner (Enforcement and Appeals), introduced the report, which provided an update on progress in respect of priority enforcement investigations.

 

The Officer explained that the team were fully staffed which had helped with case loads and progression of cases.

 

The Officer explained the numbers of caseloads and what stages various cases were at, however where certain cases were sensitive, such as those going to court, these could not be discussed in full.

 

Members asked that the long term cases documentation was saved to handed over when the Council moved to the unitary system.

 

Members thanked the Officer and team for all their hard work and detailed report.

 

 

71.

Site Visits

Purpose

To outline sites which in the Officer’s opinion, the Sub-Committee should visit prior to the Sub-Committee’s determination of that application at a future meeting.

 

Recommendation

1.    To agree any site visits outlined by officers

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Principle Planner confirmed there were no site visit reports to consider.

 

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