Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 66 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Woodgreen, Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 1NB. View directions
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Election of Chair Purpose: To elect a Chair for the Civic Year 2026/27.
Recommendation: That the Chair of Development Management Sub-Committee be elected for the Civic Year 2026/27. Additional documents: Minutes: Andrew Brown, Head of Democratic and Electoral Services opened the first meeting of Development Management Sub-Committee and asked for nominations for Chair. Councillor Sumner proposed that Councillor Andy Goodwin be elected as Chair of the Development Management Sub-Committee for the municipal year 2026 – 2027. Councillor David Jackson seconded the proposal. With no other nominations made, the proposal was put to the vote and was agreed by the Sub-Committee. The Development Management Sub-Committee resolved to:
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Appointment of Vice Chair Purpose: To elect a Vice-Chair for the Civic Year 2026/27.
Recommendation: That a Vice-Chair of the Development Management Sub-Committee be appointed for the Civic Year 2026/27. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair proposed that Councillor Mark Walker be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Development Management Sub-Committee for the municipal year 2026 – 2027. This was seconded by Councillor Steve Cosier. With no other nominations made, the proposal was put to the vote and was agreed by the Sub-Committee. The Development Management Sub-Committee resolved to:
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Minutes of the Previous Meeting To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 May 2026
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no minutes to approve due to the meeting being the first one held.
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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 Mark Walker, Roger Faulkner, Genny Early and Phil Godfrey. Councillor Michele Mead substituted for Councillor Roger Faulker. Councillor Tim Sumner substituted for Councillor Genny Early. Councillor Jan Lund substituted for Councillor Phil Godfrey.
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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: 25/01897/OUT Land West of Combe Road - Councillor Andrew Lyon stated he had once been a tenant of the Combe Housing Trust but was not predetermined. 26/00390/FUL Play Area, Windmill Road – Councillor Andrew Beaney asked if the members declare a corporate interest as the land was owned by West Oxfordshire District Council. Legal advice was that this was not needed. Councillor Sarah Veasey declared that she had been involved in talks to secure the S106 funding for the play area. Councillor Veasey stated she would not vote and would step out of the Council Chamber whilst the application was heard. 26/00396/LBC and 26/00853/HHD 3 Church View, Bampton – Councillor Steve Cosier declared that the members knew the applicant Councillor Alistair Wray but did not have a prejudicial interest.
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Applications for Development Purpose: To consider applications for development, details of which are set out in the attached report.
Recommendation: That the applications be determined with the recommendations of the Head of Planning.
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25/01897/OUT Land West of Combe Road Additional documents: Minutes: Mike Cassidy, Principal Planner, presented the application for the outlined planning application with some matters reserved for the erection of 20 dwellings within a nature enhancement scheme. The principal planner gave an overview of the application and highlighted the following points: · The site was in the Stonesfield Conservation Area and in the Cotswolds National Landscape (CNL). The site comprised of a grass meadow with two coppices of trees which were to be retained and two wooden stable buildings in its western corner. · The site was bound to the northeast, southeast and southern part of the southwestern boundary by hedgerow trees. Stonesfield Manor a Grade II listed building was to the north of the site. The site was surrounded by a mixture of agricultural land as well as a number of residential properties. The Stonesfield Roman villa was outside the site boundary on the opposite side of Combe Road. · The proposal for the site was for the erection of 20 dwellings with an access road onto Combe Road. The application was in outline form with means of access and site layout only to be considered. · The proposed dwellings would consist of 20 units, 10 affordable and 10 market. Affordable dwellings would include 1, 2 and 3 bed homes and the market would include 3 and 4 bed homes. The homes would include air source heat pumps, solar panels and EV charging points. · The Council’s housing officer has identified a significant need for affordable housing in the Stonesfield area. The Council cannot demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply. · A Visual Impact Assessment had been undertaken, and it was found that there would be limited impact to the surrounding area. The site would retain the existing tree coverage and would be contained by boundary hedgerows. Limited trees would be removed for access to the site. · The site was located in flood zone 1, was not prone to flooding and had sustainable drainage. The extension of the footpath by 2 metres and additional planting would be part of the development. The construction of the site would bring economic and employment opportunities. When considering the tilted balance, the harms did not outweigh the benefits of the proposal. The Principal Planner recommended the application for approval subject to the completion of a satisfactory S106 legal agreement and subject to conditions as set out in the officer’s report. John Ashmore spoke in objection to the application and raised the following points:
Councillor Lowe from Stonesfield Parish Council spoke in objection and raised the following points:
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26/00053/FUL Well Cottage, Thames Street Additional documents: Minutes: Fern Lynch, Principal Planner, presented the application for the conversation of an existing garage / workshop to a dwelling. The property was located on the corner of St Thomas’ Street and Dyers Hill. The site sat within the Charlbury conservation area and Cotswolds National Landscape CNL, and was adjacent to a Grade II listed building. The conversion included a separate 2 bed dwelling from the garage workshop. The form and the character of the building would be retained with the addition of a side door and roof light. Charlbury Town Council objected to the application due to concerns over the parking provision. The Principal Planner continued with the presentation and raised the following points:
James Simpson, the applicant, addressed the Sub-Committee. The property had been vacant and was an eyesore and was within the Charlbury Conservation Area and the Cotswolds National Landscape. The proposal was to create a living space in a sustainable area and include cycle parking and EV charging. The parking provision was in accordance with Oxfordshire County Council parking standards. The Chair invited the sub-committee to debate the application, and the following points were raised:
Councillor David Jackson proposed that the application be approved in line with the officer’s recommendations with an amendment to condition 7 to include a Swift Box, and an additional condition number 9 for a Construction Traffic Management plan. This was seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Poskitt. This was put to the vote and agreed unanimously. The Development Management Sub-Committee resolved to:
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26/00390/FUL Play Area, Windmill Road Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Sarah Veasey left the Council Chamber. Clare Anscombe, Planning Officer, presented the application for the replacement if existing hard surfaced playground with new fenced multi-use games area. The site was located at the south boundary of North Leigh and north of the A4095. West Oxford District Council own the land. The existing tarmac would be removed and replaced with a MUGA and would be painted green. There would be a 3-metre fence around the perimeter of the site made of mesh which would maintain the security of the play area. The Planner continued with the presentation which raised the following points: As a play area already existed on the site, the principle of the development was acceptable; there were no objections to the application; there was no impact regarding light and noise to the neighbouring residents subject to a condition that covered the provision of external lighting on the site. Councillor David Harris, North Leigh Parish Council addressed the sub-committee and raised the following points: the replacement play area would be funded by developers’ contribution; the play area was a much-needed facility and had support from the local community including younger residents who had contributed to the parish meetings. The site would provide both basketball and football provision. The play area was in a dip and would not impact neighbouring housing. The Chair invited the sub-committee to debate the application, and the following points were raised: Members asked that if the council did not own the land would the application have been delegated to officers for a decision. Councillor Tim Sumner declared that he was a member of the Executive and asked for clarification if he could vote on the application and it was confirmed that he could. Councillor Andrew Lyon proposed that the application be approved in line with officer’s recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Cosier. This was put to the vote and agreed unanimously. The Development Management Sub-Committee Resolved to:
Councillor Sarah Veasey returned to the Council Chamber.
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26/00774/LBC The Fox Inn, 27 Enstone Road Additional documents: Minutes: Rebekah Orriss, Senior Planner, presented the application for internal alterations to include the opening up of an existing doorway and works to the inglenook fireplace (retrospective). The application was for listed building consent. The Fox Inn was a Grade II listed building in the conservation area. The application was for works in the building and did not impact the conservation area. The inglenook fireplace was traditionally closed in however the surrounding sides had been removed and the doorway widened. The Planner continued with the presentation which raised the following points:
Councillor Steve Ferrelly representing West Barton Parish, spoke in support of the application and raised the following points: the benefits of having a public house in the village; the revised internal layout created a better space for the customers opening up the connectivity of the bar and restaurant; the fireplace was still a main feature of the building and the alterations had not altered the character of the building. Chris Flemming and Tony O’Sullivan spoke in support of the application and raised the following points: the alterations secured the long-term future of the pub and were community focused; the pub supported employment in the village and surrounding areas; there had been over 126 letters of support for the application as well as support from the Heritage Consultant. The Chair invited the sub-committee to debate the application, and the following points were raised:
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26/00806/FUL Cherry Tree Cottage, Lower End Additional documents: Minutes: The meeting resumed at 4.50pm. Nathan Harris, Planning Officer, presented the application for the change of use of Cherry Tree Cottage from holiday let to dwelling. The plot was located on the corner of Lower End with Cooks Lane to the East and Chapel Lane to the west and was in close proximity to the A44 to the south. There were no changes to the existing and proposed floor plan apart from the addition of a small sparrow terrace to the property. The property was screened by a mature planting which restricted views to the street scene. The property was currently listed as a holiday let however the application supported the re-use of the building as a dwelling. The house was located in the CNL, was already part of the built-up village and no new development was proposed on the site. There were no identified harms, and no objections had been received from OCC highways. The application was recommended for approval. The Chair invited the sub-committee to debate the application, and the following points were raised:
Councillor Tim Sumner declared an interest that he lived in Salford. Councillor Steve Cosier proposed to approve the application in line with the officers’ recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Poskitt and put to the vote. Voting Record: For 9 Against 0 Abstention 1. The Development Management Sub-Committee Resolved to:
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26/00396/LBC 3 Church View, Bampton Additional documents: Minutes: George Matthews, Planning Officer, presented the application for internal alterations to create a new loft access opening in the first floor bedroom with integral ladder access. The application was before the sub-committee due to the applicant being an elected member of West Oxfordshire District Council. The property was a Grade II listed building in Bampton. The changes to the property were internally only. The relocation of the loft access was for easier and safer access including an integrated ladder. The current access would be closed up using materials that complimented the age and character of the building. The application was recommended for approval. The Chair asked for any questions of clarification or comments. Members asked for clarification on whether the application would have been determined under delegated authority by officers if the applicant had not been an elected member of the Council. The officer confirmed that this was the case. Councillor Andrew Lyon proposed that the application be approved in line with officer recommendations. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Steve Cosier and put to the vote. Voting Record: For 10 Against 0 Abstention 0 The Development Management Sub-Committee Resolved to:
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26/00638/LBC Asthall Manor Additional documents: Minutes: James Nelson, Principal Planner, presented the application for internal alterations to include the installation of internal wall insulation to improve thermal performance. The application was before the sub-committee due to the applicant being an elected member of West Oxfordshire District Council. The application was for Listed Building Consent. The manor building dates from the early 17th century. The building is located on the western side of the hamlet of Asthall and within the Asthall Conservation area. The conservation officer had no raised any objections and the application was recommended for approval. The Chair asked for any questions of clarification or comments. Members asked for clarification on whether the application would have been determined under delegated authority by officers if the applicant had not been an elected member of the Council. The officer confirmed that this was the case. Councillor Andrew Lyon proposed that the application be approved in line with officer recommendations. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Poskitt and put to the vote. Voting Record: For 10 Against 0 Abstention 0 The Development Management Sub-Committee Resolved to:
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26/00853/HHD 3 Church View, Bampton Additional documents: Minutes: Sarah Weaver, Planning Officer, presented the application for the erection of a detached garden studio. The application was before the sub-committee due to the applicant being an elected member of West Oxfordshire District Council. The studio would be of a simple design and located 16 metres from the host listed building. It would be located 9 metres from the neighbouring property. The front doors would be patio full length windows and include two rear high-level windows. There would be no harms to neighbouring properties. The officer recommended the application for approval. The Chair asked for any questions of clarification or comments. Members asked for clarification on whether the application would have been determined under delegated authority by officers if the applicant had not been an elected member of the Council. The officer confirmed that this was the case. Councillor Andrew Lyon proposed that the application be approved in line with officer recommendations. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Steve Cosier and put to the vote. Voting Record: For 10 Against 0 Abstention 0 The Development Management Sub-Committee Resolved to:
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Applications Determined under Delegated Powers 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 officers and noted by the sub-committee.
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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 officers and noted by the sub-committee. Councillor Andrew Beaney thanked the officers for all their hard work on both delegated powers and appeal decisions reports.
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