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Agenda and draft minutes

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Items
No. Item

55.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence from members of Sub-Committee. The quorum for the Sub-Committee is 3 members.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Clements, Saul and Walker.

56.

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:

The Chairman declared an interest in agenda item 4 (Applications for development) 25/02/43/FUL as the supporter, who was an Ex Councillor  was known to him.  

 

57.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 88 KB

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 20 October 2025.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 October 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

58.

Applications for Development pdf icon PDF 669 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

17-30

23/03136/FUL

Land And Woodland South Of Watermead Farm Spelsbury Road

Kelly Murray

 

31-44

25/01566/FUL

Land At Church End

Clare Anscombe

45-64

25/02143/FUL

Vicks Garage Guildenford

Emile Baldauf-Clark

65-71

25/02145/FUL

Dashwood House Shipton Road

Rebekah Orriss

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The applications for development were submitted as detailed in the schedule attached at page 17 of the document pack.

59.

23/03136/FUL Land and Woodland South Of Watermead Farm Spelsbury Road

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Change of Use from agricultural to 'glamping' campsite comprising 18 nos. camping units (8 nos. bell tents, 7 nos. shepherds huts and 3 nos. A-frame pods), ancillary facilities (including cafeteria and site reception, 2 nos. toilet and shower blocks, maintenance and storage barn), access and parking, and associated infrastructure.

 

The Planning Officer conducted a presentation which was noted by Members.

 

Both the objectors and the applicant were in attendance and spoke at the meeting.

 

Speaking in objection: Mr Hans Eriksson and Mr Jonathan Finch-Dick

Mr. Finch-Dick raised objections regarding ecology, and the impact of the development on the surrounding woodland.

 

Speaking as applicant/supporter Mr Graeme Widdows. The applicant stated that the biodiversity net gain on the site met and was three times the statutory requirement.

 

Members discussed the application, highlighting the following points;

  •  Great weight must be given to conserving and enhancing the CNL as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
  • Officers noted the site layout was sympathetic: structures were set back, tree cover retained, and visual impact minimised.
  • The site was in a conservation target area, the Charlbury neighbourhood plan said that no development would be supported within this. While officers stated that they did not consider this had the effect of imposing a blanket ban on development within the area, great weight must be accorded to the need to achieve  clear biodiversity net gains.
  • The design was relatively unobtrusive and sympathetic to the woodland.
  • There was insufficient evidence of clear biodiversity net gains and missing data on bats, which raised major concerns.

 

Members voted in favour of the officer`s recommendation to refuse the application by majority decision.

 

It was proposed by Cllr Jackson and seconded by Cllr Arciszewska

 

RESOLVED: That the application be refused in line with officer`s recommendations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

60.

25/01566/FUL Land At Church End

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Land at Church End Swerford Chipping Norton Oxfordshire

Conversion of storage building to holiday let, with associated landscaping

 

The Planning Officer conducted a presentation which was noted by Members. The Officer’s presentation made the following points:

 

-       The application site was located within Swerford and within the Swerford Conservation Area

-       There were a number of heritage assets within close proximity of the site including listed and locally listed buildings, Swerford registered park & garden to the west and Swerford Castle Scheduled Monument

-       The site was accessed from Back Lane, a Public Right of Way

-       The existing building had a traditional design including materials which were considered to positively contribute to the character of the area

-       A certificate of existing lawful use was granted in September 2017 for the use of the site for B8 storage of materials and equipment on the site. The certificate confirmed the use of the entire application site for the 'storage of materials and equipment falling within use class B8.’ More recently, an application was submitted for the change of use of the building to a dwelling, which was dismissed at appeal. The Inspector considered that the proposal would preserve the CA and setting of listed and non-listed buildings. This application differs in that the proposed use is for a holiday let not a dwelling.

-       The proposed development included the conversion of the building to a holiday let, with associated landscaping. The existing trees shown on the plan were to be retained and 2 car parking spaces were provided to the front.

-       The proposal included the insertion of timber casement windows and doors in order to use the building as a holiday let. The mass, scale and footprint would remain the same.

Two bedrooms were proposed at first floor and living and kitchen space on ground floor.

 

Speaking as the applicant/supporter: Joanna Lishman

 

Members asked the following questions of clarification:

 

-       if vehicle use would increase with a holiday let use. The speaker clarified that with a B8 storage use vehicle types are likely to be larger and could be intensified.

-       by whom the building was currently used by and how often the owner needed to come and go from the site. The speaker confirmed that the storage unit was operated by a builder for storage of machinery and materials and he came and went as per his business requirements and owns the land.  

 

The Planning Officer went onto summarise the merits of the application and made the following points:

-       In terms of the principle of development, for the reasons set out in the report, the proposal was considered to comply with the key policies of the adopted local plan for the conversion of buildings to tourist accommodation.

-       In terms of design, subject to conditions securing details of windows and doors, the proposal was considered to be acceptable and comply with key design policies.

-       Regarding impact on heritage assets, as confirmed by the Inspector in the recent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

61.

25/02143/FUL Vicks Garage Guildenford

Additional documents:

Minutes:

25/02143/FUL Vicks Garage Guildenford Burford Oxfordshire OX18 4SE

 

Demolition of the existing building and the erection of a detached dwelling with access, parking and associated works. (amended plans)

 

The Planning Officer conducted a presentation which was noted by Members.

-       The site lay within Burford, a designated rural service centre, where the principle of residential development was supported under Local Plan policies OS2 and H2.

-       The proposal redevelops previously developed land in a sustainable location, consistent with the spatial strategy and NPPF objectives.

-       Marketing evidence and Economic Development comments confirmed continued employment use was no longer viable.

-       Design reflected the footprint and scale of a previously approved office building, reinstates spatial gaps, and uses traditional materials.

-       The removal of the existing garage and its replacement with a well-designed dwelling would enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area and respect the setting of nearby listed buildings.

-       Highways officers raised no objection subject to conditions; two off-street parking spaces are proposed.

-       No technical objections on contamination or ecology; conditions recommended.

-       The application was recommended for approval.

 

The supporter was in attendance and spoke at the meeting.

 

Speaking as a supporter: Mr Derek Cotterill.

 

Members asked the following questions of clarification:

  •  access and parking arrangements, noting concerns about reversing and sharing spaces between Tiverton Cottage and the new dwelling.
  •  garden size and whether it met standards; the Officer confirmed it was sufficient.
  • impact on the stone boundary wall and mature tree roots; the Officer confirmed the wall would be partially removed and tree impact considered.
  • Members discussed drainage concerns and lowering of ground levels; the Officer clarified these are structural/civil matters, not planning considerations.
  • Concerns were raised about contamination; the Officer confirmed conditions for remediation were included.
  • Debate focused on parking, access, and proximity to trees

During debate, there was a proposal for approval in line with the Officer’s recommendations but this motion did not receive a seconder. The Chairman then proposed that the application be deferred for a site visit to assess parking, access, and tree impact, which was agreed

RESOLVED: That the application be deferred pending a site visit, and be brought to the next meeting for further consideration.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

62.

25/02145/FUL Dashwood House Shipton Road

Additional documents:

Minutes:

25/02145/FUL Dashwood House Shipton Road Milton Under Wychwood Chipping Norton Oxfordshire OX7 6JH

 

Proposed alterations and enlargement of existing building including extension at rear ground floor for kitchen/dining area for first and second floor flat (part retrospective)

 

Councillor Arciszewska left the Council Chamber.

The Planning Officer conducted a presentation which was noted by Members.

-       The presentation made the following points: The proposal conserved the commercial floor area and proposed a minor addition to the living space associate with the existing flat and was therefore acceptable in principle.

-       The proposal was acceptable in design terms, and had no significant adverse impact on neighbouring properties.

-       The proposal has no effect on the Cotswolds National Landscape.

-       The application was recommended for approval.

 

Members asked the following questions of clarification:

-       the floorplan of the ground floor and the parts that would be communal and which could be used by separate businesses.

-        the purpose of the application in the context of the planning history and how the rear extension would be divided between the commercial use and residential use. The Officer confirmed that the rear extension would be physically divided, but the commercial floorspace could be shared by up to two businesses.

-        if the external wall would be affected by the extension. The Officer confirmed that there would be no impact on the wall.

-       whether a condition was required to ensure the use of the ground floor could remain as commercial. The Officer confirmed that this was not needed as the lawful use was commercial and any future change of use would be subject to its own assessment.

 

Members voted in favour of the officer`s recommendation to approve the application by majority decision.

 

It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr Goodwin.

 

RESOLVED: That the application be approved in line with officer`s recommendations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

63.

Applications Determined under Delegated Powers pdf icon PDF 174 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 applications determined under delegated powers were received

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

64.

Appeal Decisions pdf icon PDF 103 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 officer reported on the appeal decisions as attached on page 93 of the agenda pack.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.