Agenda and minutes
PDF 54 KBVenue: Council Chamber
Contact: Democratic Services
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Minutes of Previous Meeting To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2022. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2022 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. |
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Apologies for Absence and Temporary Appointments Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors: Andrew Beaney, Dean Temple and Alex Wilson. Councillor Elizabeth Poskitt substituted for Councillor Nathalie Chapple. |
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations from Members of the Committee on any items to be considered at the meeting Minutes: There were no declarations of interest received. |
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Applications for Development 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.
Additional documents: Minutes: 21/03836/FUL Tennis Courts, Beaconsfield Hall, Shipton under Wychwood
The Planning Officer, Sarah Hegerty introduced the application for the erection of nine lighting columns to provide floodlighting for tennis courts 1 and 2. The following people addressed the Committee: Hilary Hibbert-Biles spoke as an objector; and Paul Miller, the Development Officer for the Tennis Club, spoke in support of the application. Following a question from Councillor Davies, Mr Miller confirmed that the flood lights would be used during the week up to 9.00pm, and at the weekends up to 7.00pm. The Planning Officer continued with her presentation, noted the late representations report, which included a letter of support for the application, and concluded that she was recommending refusal of the application, with delegated authority, once all reports were received. The Councillors discussed the lighting and the impact on the community, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the ‘dark skies’. Councillor Davies did not think that dark skies should be prioritised over children’s mental health and wellbeing and the application should be approved to allow children to play tennis under lighting. Most Councillors were torn between the impact on the AONB and the dark skies issue, but referred back to the Council’s planning policies, which they needed to make their decision under. Councillor Cooper proposed that the application be refused as per officer’s recommendation, with delegated authority, and this was seconded by Councillor Postan. On being put to the vote, it was resolved that the application be
Refused for the following reasons, subject to officers having delegated authority to act once all the Biodiversity reports are received and subject to them not containing anything substantially new.
If the papers were to be substantially different, the application would be brought back to the Committee.
1. The proposed floodlighting at this prominent site, within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, would give rise to an incongruous and intrusive form of development which does not preserve or enhance the special qualities and character of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and when lit would be visually obtrusive within the wider landscape. As such the proposal is considered contrary to policies OS2, OS4, EH1 and EH8 of the West Oxfordshire Local Plan (2031), Policy CE5 'Dark Skies' of the Cotswolds conservation Boards Management plan and relevant sections of the NPPF; and
2. It is considered that insufficient ecological survey information, assessment or mitigation information has been submitted to enable the Local Planning Authority to fully assess the extent to which species and habitats (including bats and great crested newts) that are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 or listed as species/habitats of Principal Importance in s.41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 may be affected by the proposed development. The Local Planning Authority is therefore unable to fully assess the development in respect of the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (in particular Chapter 15); The ... view the full minutes text for item 54. |
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Applications Determined under Delegated Powers and Appeal Decisions 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 outlining the Delegated Decisions taken since the last meeting were considered. It was noted that application 21/03504/HHD fell into the Lowlands area, and therefore should be considered at the next Lowlands Planning Committee.
Councillor Cooper asked for it to be recorded that recently applications under the Delegated Decisions agenda item, often included Lowlands applications. He requested that the process currently being used, be reviewed to address this.
Resolved that the report be noted. |