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Agenda and draft minutes

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

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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 3 members.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Adam Clements, Councillor David Jackson, Councillor Genny Early and Councillor Andy Goodwin.

 

Councillor Tim Sumner substituted for Councillor David Jackson.

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 as follows:

 

25/00333/OUT Land East of Wroslyn Road, Freeland.

Councillors Faulkner and Arcizsewska declared that the Wroslyn Road application was in their ward.

 

24.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 21 July 2025.  

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Page 13, The Chair asked that the time of the site visit be removed as it was not decided at the meeting.

 

The Chair proposed that the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 21 July 2025 be agreed by the Sub-Committee as a true and accurate record. The was seconded by Councillor Roger Faulkner, was put to the vote and agreed by the Sub-Committee.

 

The Sub-Committee Resolved to:

  1. Agree the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 21 July 2025 as a true and accurate record.

 

25.

Applications for Development pdf icon PDF 1 MB

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

17-38

24/00592/FUL

Land And Barns South Of Mill Farm

Widford

Burford

Clare Anscombe

39-83

24/02171/FUL

Land North of Woodstock Road

Charlbury

Mike Cassidy

84-110

25/00333/OUT

 

Land East Of 87 - 123

Wroslyn Road

Freeland

Stephanie Eldridge

111-126

25/01227/OUT

Broadstone Farm

Ditchley Road

Charlbury

Emile Baldauf-Clark

127-130

25/01319/LBC

 

Feathers Hotel

16 - 20 Market Street

Woodstock

Rebekah Orriss

 

 

Additional documents:

26.

24/005921/FUL Land and Barns South of Mill Farm, Widford, Burford.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Clare Anscombe, Senior Planner, presented the application for the conversion of existing buildings to provide an office and dwelling (live-work accommodation) with associated works and landscaping. Alterations to existing access (amended plans).

 

The Senior Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:

  • The Senior Planner drew the Sub-Committee’s attention to the Additional Representations report. The Biodiversity Officer had been consulted and had no objections to the application.
  • The site is within the hamlet of Widford, consisted of two former agricultural barns and hard standing. Within the Cotswold National Landscape and residential dwellings were beside the site.
  • The application was before the Sub-Committee due to objections from the Parish Council.
  • The proposed development would convert the existing buildings to provide an office and a 3-bedroom dwelling with associated works and landscaping, including alterations to the existing access.
  • Part of the barn would be demolished to allow for parking to be provided. 3 parking spaces would be provided and bicycle storage. 
  • The materials to be used included glazing with perforated steel sheet cladding. The   original position of the barns would be retained.

 

Mike Hayson on behalf of, Residents of Widford addressed the Sub-Committee and raised the following points;

·         The proposed development was in a rural area and proposed materials were not in keeping with the surrounding properties and character of the area.

  • The square footage of the proposed dwelling was excessive and dominated the neighbouring properties.
  • No public transport would result in more cars to the site and the site access was unsuitable for large vehicles.

 

Lisa Harrop, Widford Parish Council addressed the Sub-Committee and raised the following points;

  •  Widford was a hamlet with no transport or amenities so any future residents would be reliant on cars, as would any employees.
  • The design and proposed materials were not in keeping with the landscape and character of the area.
  • From an ecological perspective there was limited data on Great Crested Newts.
  • A smaller scheme would reduce harm.

 

Members asked about objections to the original  scheme. Lisa Harrop explained that after the Parish Council’s discussions with residents, concerns were raised over size and provision of parking and over development. The Parish Council requested comments from Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) highways but did not receive a response.

 

David Burson, agent for the applicant, addressed the Sub-Committee and raised the following points;

 

  • The development was for a family with an office to support the business currently located in Burford, this would create a better work life balance.
  • The Council could not demonstrate a 5 Year housing land supply; the proposed development would provide housing and reuse an existing building.

 

Members asked about the benefits of moving the family’s business from Burford to a more rural location. David Burson explained that the development would give security to the business and create a better work life balance with the house providing a home for the family alongside an office to run the business. The owners of the development were invested in the area and keen  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

24/02171/FUL Land North of Woodstock Road, Charlbury

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Mike Cassidy, Principal Planner, presented the application for the erection of twenty six dwellings (including 46% affordable housing), the provision of public open space and landscaping, demolition of the existing garages and provision of new vehicular access via Woodstock Road and pedestrian access to Hughes Close and associated works.

 

The Principal Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:

  • The application was for 26 new dwellings of which 46% would be affordable housing. Garages on the site would be demolished and new vehicular and pedestrian/cycle accesses created.
  • The site was on the South East side of Charlbury in the Charlbury Conservation Area and Cotswolds National Landscape (AONB). The site adjoins existing residential development on Hughes Close, Little Leas and Woodstock Road.
  • The site is bounded on all sides by trees and hedgerows, some of which are protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) some 50 years old.
  • A previous refused application had been dismissed on appeal with the Inspector raising concerns in relation to adverse landscape impacts upon the Cotswolds National Landscape (CNL); poor quality design and layout with areas dominated by hard landscaping; a lack of surveillance to some plots resulting in a ‘fear of crime’ and lack of favourable living conditions for future occupiers; adverse impact on the Charlbury Conservation Area; and adverse impact on the neighbouring property, No.36 Little Leas,  by reason of being visually overbearing only 2 metres from boundary, with a loss of outlook and daylight.
  • The application had been reduced by 2 houses to 26 dwellings and a wider tree/hedge planted boundary included with a buffer zone and managed landscaping. The building/plots closest to Little Leas had been pulled further back from the northern boundary and reorientated to address the concerns regarding loss out  outlook and daylight raised by the appeal Inspector.
  • The proposal includes a mixture of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom dwellings with 12 affordable housing units (46% of the total) proposed.
  • In the appeal decision, the Inspector noted there was no substantive evidence the trees originally protected by the TPO (some 50 years old) remained on site. Moreover, nearly three quarters of trees on the site were of low quality showing signs of disease and decay with limited life expectancy. The proposal would remove these trees and replace them with new tree planting of much better quality. 

 

Councillor Kenrick, Charlbury Town Council addressed the Sub-Committee and raised the following points;

  • The Town Council had engaged with the application in detail and information could be found online.

·         Concerns regarding surface water drainage had been raised by Thames Water, which highlighted the need for the provision of rainwater capture and greywater recycling within e the development.

  • The need for provision of defibrillators which the Council could not see this in the application.

 

Grant Bayliss, agent for the applicant, addressed the Sub-Committee and raised the following points;

28.

25/00333/OUT Land East of 87-123 Wroslyn Road , Freeland

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Stephanie Eldridge, Principal Planner, presented the application for the erection of up to 60 dwellings (Use Class C3), allotments, car parking and site access, plus open space, landscaping, associated engineering works and infrastructure (all matters reserved except means of access). (Amended parameter plan).

 

 

The Principal Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:

  • The removal of objection from OCC regarding the highway, as set out in the additional representations report.
  • The site was for 60 residential dwellings with provision of 50% affordable housing. The site was a significant distance from the listed buildings in the parish.
  • The application was before the Sub-Committee due to objections from the Parish Council.
  • The site would sit behind a mixture of modern house designs and would form a logical compliment to the edge of the village. The site would provide a community orchard, allotments and parking for 25 cars for school drop off and pick times.

 

Councillor Crocker, Freeland Parish Council addressed the Sub-Committee and raised the following points;

  • The farmland opposite was a green corridor.
  • The Parish Council had concerns about the capacity of the sewage works at Church Hanborough.
  • Access of a footpath would require part of the hedgerow to be removed.
  • Parking provision would urbanise the character of the village.
  • There were concerns about flooding and the erosion of the gap between Long Hanborough and Freeland villages.

 

Nigel Pugsley, agent for Pye Homes addressed the Sub-Committee and raised the following points;

·         Pye Homes partnered with Blenheim Estates in 2018, the current application was for 16 hoes with parking and access and would provide housing to meet the needs in the area with 50% of affordable housing included with a careful design to preserve the green gap and ecology.

 

The Principal Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:

  • The Council cannot demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply and using the tilted balance the application is considered to be acceptable.
  • The application was within the north side of Wroslyn Road and complimented the existing pattern of development, the semi-rural character of the village would be preserved and there would be limited impact on the landscape.
  • The site would include provision for school parking, with a car park management plan to ensure the correct usage.
  • Local amenities included a bus service to and from the train station and neighbouring towns.
  • Financial contributions for the Parish Council were not yet agreed but could be delegated to officers subject to conditions working with the Parish Council for S106 contributions.
  • The application was recommended for approval. 

 

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

  • Concerns about the modest size and rural character of the village being over developed. 60 houses would undermine the proportion and scale of the village. Concerns about the sewage capacity within this area.
  • Concerns about ancient woodlands and the ecology corridors of the river Evenlode to Witney and the need to protect these areas.
  • The need for affordable houses for younger generations who wish to remain in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

29.

25/01227/OUT Broadstone Farm, Charlbury

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Emile Baldauf-Clark, Planner, presented the application for the outline planning permission (with some matters reserved except for means of access and layout) to demolish the existing agricultural building and erection of a self-build dwelling house with associated operations.

 

The Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:

  • The application was before the Sub-Committee due to objections from the Parish Council.
  • The site was on the edge of Charlbury and within the Cotswold National Landscape and the Charlbury Conservation Area.
  • The current buildings on the site would be removed and replaced with a modern self-build dwelling.
  • The design would have an L shaped footprint that would sit comfortably within the plot although it would be slightly larger than the current building.
  • The proposed dwelling would be a single storey wooden clad barn style design with a flat roof extension. Materials used would be wooden cladding and natural stone.

 

Mr Blakesley-Grimes, applicant, addressed the Sub-Committee which raised the following points;

  • The house would be for the applicant’s family who have lived in Charlbury for 15 years.
  • The new design would enhance the conservation area.
  • Due to the family plans to live in the dwelling there would not be further development on the site.

 

The Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:

  • The Council could not demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply. The application was in line with policy OS2.
  • The design was modest and did not encroach on the surrounding countryside. The site was well screened.
  • There would be short term economic benefits whilst the dwelling was being constructed.
  • The application was recommended for approval with the decision delegated back to officers to secure the legal agreement regarding self-build status. 

 

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

 

  • The Sub-Committee agreed that the application was a development with merits and encouraged self-building.
  • Comments from the Conservation Officer were positive however there was no up to date information on self-build targets.

 

Councillor Mark Walker proposed the Sub-Committee approve the application in line with officer recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Lidia Arcizsewska, put to the vote and agreed by the Sub-Committee.

 

Voting record – Unanimous

 

The Sub-Committee resolved to:

  1. Approve the application in line with officer recommendations.

 

30.

25/01319/LBC Feathers Hotel, 16-20 Market Street, Woodstock

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Rebekah Orriss, Planner, presented the application for the addition of 2 poles and flags.

 

The Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:

  • The application proposed two flag poles on the front elevation of the hotel above the main pedestrian entrance.
  • The application was objected to by the Conservation and Design Officer due to size of the flagpoles which would cause harm to the historic and architectural design of the building.
  • The scale of the flag poles was not in keeping with the hotel style and an incongruous addition to the frontage of the building giving a cluttered appearance and did not preserve the character of the building.
  • The application was recommended for refusal.

 

Councillor Elizabeth Poskitt proposed the Sub-Committee refuse the application in line with the officer’s recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Roger Faulkner and put to the vote.

 

Voting Record – For Refusal 7;  Against Refusal 2; Abstentions 0.

 

The Sub-Committee Resolved to:

  1. Refuse the application in line with the officer’s recommendations.

 

31.

Applications Determined under Delegated Powers pdf icon PDF 151 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.

 

32.

Appeal Decisions

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no appeal decisions since the previous Uplands Area Planning Sub-Committee.