Agenda item
Participation of the Public
Members of the public may ask a question at a meeting of Cabinet for up to three minutes on any item of business for decision at the meeting or on any issue that affects the district or its people. Members of the public wishing to speak at a Cabinet meeting must notify [email protected], including their name and the agenda item or topic they wish to speak on, by 2.00pm two clear working days before the meeting (e.g. for a Wednesday meeting, the deadline would be 2.00pm on the Friday before). If the topic of the question is not within the remit of the Council, advice will be provided on where best to direct the question. The relevant Cabinet Member will either respond verbally at the meeting or provide a written response which will be included in the minutes of the meeting.
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council Councillor Andy Graham welcomed everyone to the meeting, and thanked the members of the public for attending. The Leader explained that during the meeting Cabinet would be answering those questions that had already been received, the public were welcome to stay behind once the meeting had concluded to ask any members of the Cabinet questions. If the answers were unknown at that time Cabinet members would take them away and find out the answers and come back to them in due course.
The Leader reported that several questions had been received from the public, and invited those that were present to address the committee with their questions. In turn the Cabinet provided the following answers:
Q1 Asked by David Heyes
In the Local Plan reference is made to an “agreed Masterplan” for the East Chipping Norton Strategic Development Area. Which bodies are required to agree to the plan and what are the criteria to be used?
A1 Answered by Councillor Carl Rylett Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainable Development
Policy CN1 relates to the East Chipping Norton SDA and stipulates that there should be ‘comprehensive development for the whole site including land north and south of London Road to be led by an agreed masterplan’.
Neither the policy nor the supporting text refer to which bodies are required to agree the plan or any criteria that are to be used.
However, in keeping with progress being made on the other SDAs, the expectation is that any such masterplan will be landowner/developer led and then put to the Council for consideration, either as part of a planning application or (as has been the case at West Eynsham) separately.
Earlier this year, the two main landowners for the East Chipping Norton SDA agreed to jointly commission a masterplan to support any future planning applications. A steering group was formed with an initial inception meeting held at the end of March. However, no further meeting has taken place since then as the two main landowners have been undertaking further survey and analysis the outcome of which is still awaited.
Q2 Asked by Sandra Coleman
The residents of Chipping Norton have noticed problems with the structure of Chipping Norton Leisure Centre's building. Some of these are longstanding and have never been properly addressed. What processes are in place to address this - and any arising health and safety concerns? The Leisure Centre is a fantastic facility but is being compromised by the standard of upkeep of the building.
A2 Answered by Councillor Joy Aitman the Cabinet Member for Stronger Healthy Communities.
Chipping Norton Leisure centre was built in 2002. The council has obtained four quotes to carry out internal repairs to the centre and it is anticipated that this work will be started in the coming weeks.
A national roofing contractor has also been appointed to conduct an invasive investigation of the roof and prepare a report detailing recommended works, including any temporary solutions. The invasive investigation is due to take place in the first few weeks of December, with the final report due by the end of January 2023.
Q3 Asked by Keith Ruddle
I am very pleased to see WODC Cabinet visiting Chipping Norton for this meeting. I would request a possible 3 minute slot to ask some or all of following
Overall Question – Can WODC Cabinet tell Chipping Norton’s community exactly what commitment they have, and what proactive actions they are taking, to ensuring that the growth of Chipping Norton is sustainable and appropriate for a working town – and that there is sufficient investment in infrastructure to support this after years of relative neglect.?
A3 Answered by Councillor Carl Rylett Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainable Development
Chipping Norton is identified in the Local Plan 2031 as a main service centre on the basis that it is the District’s third largest town and has a good range of services and facilities to support future growth. The Local Plan is supported by an Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) which seeks to identify what infrastructure is needed to support future growth to 2031 across the District including at Chipping Norton. The Chipping Norton Neighbourhood Plan adopted in 2016 also identifies a number of locally identified infrastructure projects. Earlier this year, in support of planned strategic development to the east of the town, the two main landowners agreed to commission a masterplan which will help to provide an up to date and comprehensive assessment of the new and improved infrastructure which is needed to support the development. Subject to the relevant legal tests, any such improvements would be secured through appropriate planning obligations or in some instances through planning conditions.
Specific issues – In answering the above, please can you address specifically the questions below:
Q3a Asked by Keith Ruddle
Zero carbon East Chippy plan – WODC, with housing targets in mind, collaborated with lead landowner OCC to allocate 1200 new homes in the 2018 Local Plan at East Chipping Norton. There’s still no Masterplan, no commitment to Zero Carbon by OCC as landowner, and WODC cannot demonstrate a 5 year housing supply. Exactly how are WODC Cabinet working proactively with OCC’s Leader and Cabinet to sort this for the benefit of West Oxfordshire?
A3a Answered by Councillor Carl Rylett Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainable Development
Earlier this year, the two main landowners of the East Chipping Norton SDA (CALA Homes and Oxfordshire County Council) agreed to jointly commission a masterplan to support any future planning applications. A steering group was formed with an initial inception meeting held at the end of March. However, no further meeting has taken place since then as the two main landowners have been undertaking further survey and analysis the outcome of which is still awaited.
The District Council will continue to work closely with both landowners to further progress the masterplan and enable any subsequent planning applications to come forward for determination.
The extent to which the landowners commit to net zero carbon is currently a matter for them as there is no specific policy requirement to achieve this in either the adopted Local Plan or the Chipping Norton Neighbourhood Plan.
The Chief Executive Giles Hughes added that The Council had a proactive vision and would engage with County Council, Town Councils and other partners to share issues and have a holistic approach.
Q3b Asked by Keith Ruddle
Getting HGVs off the A44 – WODC declared illegal pollution and an AQMA in Chippy in 2008. They were meant to ensure action. Depriming the A44 was the then solution. It hasn’t happened. Are WODC still responsible for monitoring pollution, are they still doing so (the Black Box was removed 5 years ago ) and how are they lobbying OCC and the Government to act faster after 15 years of no action?
A3b Answered by Councillor Andrew Prosser the Cabinet Member for Climate Change.
? We are in the process of appointing an air quality consultant to review the Air Quality Action Plans (AQAPs) for both Chipping Norton and Witney. We are currently ironing out the Ts & Cs, so hope the work on this will be commencing shortly. As part of this process, a steering group will need to be established to review and decide on actions to reduce air pollution going forward. I would welcome a representatives of WODC and Chipping Norton Town Council to be included in this group.
? We are currently monitoring NO2 at 5 locations in Chipping Norton as shown on the attached plan (please note sample points S18-20 are no longer in use). So far unadjusted concentrations are below the national objective of 40ug/m3 for all locations except S22. This location currently has an unadjusted average value of 45.9ug/m3.
? Oxfordshire County Council have recently issued a Freight & Logistics Strategy (attached), which states: ‘The county council will consider environmental weight restrictions across the County, particularly areas which are subject to significant levels of HGV traffic, prioritising the towns of Burford, Chipping Norton and Henley-on-Thames’. The AQAP process will provide WODC and the Town Council an opportunity to put pressure on OCC to deliver this proposal for Chipping Norton.
? I have looked back into correspondence saved on our system, and it seems some progress was made in with regards to depriming the A44, however Gloucestershire County Council had concerns that the consequence of this action would worsen air quality in Stow on the Wold. As far as I can tell this has not been resolved. Returning to my first point, I suggest this issue is revisited as part of the AQAP process, engaging GCC as early as possible.
Q3c Asked by Keith Ruddle
£££ for Town infrastructure – WODC’s official list of Chippy’s ‘infrastructure’ needs, is over 5 years out of date, was largely unfunded, and ignores 1200 extra East Chippy homes. WODC are now consulting on ‘what we want’ for infrastructure – but exactly how do they propose to avoid just another ‘wish list’, and fund it adequately, with any proper long-shelved plans for any Community Infrastructure Levy.
A3c Answered by Councillor Duncan Enright the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development.
The Local Plan is supported by an Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) which seeks to identify what infrastructure is needed to support future growth to 2031 across the District including at Chipping Norton. The Chipping Norton Neighbourhood Plan adopted in 2016 also identifies a number of locally identified infrastructure projects. Earlier this year, in support of planned strategic development to the east of the town, the two main landowners agreed to commission a masterplan which will help to provide an up to date and comprehensive assessment of the new and improved infrastructure which is needed to support the development. Subject to the relevant legal tests, any such improvements would be secured through appropriate planning obligations or in some instances through planning conditions.
Q3d Asked by Keith Ruddle
Public sports pitch provision – This is a major shortcoming in Chipping Norton – eg no full size football pitch for either public or private use. There was nothing in the Local Plan to require sports pitches for the 1200 new homes or make up the existing shortfall. This was a failure by WODC to meet their own Open Space policy. What’s the response and action?
A3d Answered by Councillor Joy Aitman the Cabinet Member for Stronger Healthy Communities.
Question answered as part of question 2 - The Cabinet will be considering a new Playing Field Strategy when it meets on the 16th November in Chipping Norton, a copy of the strategy has been published on the West Oxfordshire District Council website.
Q3e Asked by Keith Ruddle
No affordable housing – How much, if any, new social rented or affordable housing for young Chippy working people has WODC supported in the last 10 years? What is planned for the next 3 years, given the huge delay at East Chipping Norton?
A3e Answered by Councillor Andy Graham, The Leader.
There have been 253 affordable homes constructed over the last ten years in Chipping Norton and its sub area. There are a further 78 under construction or within the planning application process.. A breakdown by site is attached for information.
|
Development - Chipping Norton town |
Status |
Total affordable homes |
Rental |
LCHO |
|
Land South East of Walterbush Rd |
complete |
91 |
66 |
25 |
|
Vernon House |
complete |
19 |
19 |
|
|
Cornish Rd |
complete |
5 |
5 |
|
|
The Pillars, Banbury Rd |
complete |
40 |
27 |
13 |
|
Willow Gardens extra care |
complete |
80 |
60 |
20 |
|
Walterbush Rd (WODC partnership development) |
under consideration |
8 |
|
8 |
|
Hailey Avenue (Cottsway regen site) |
in design |
12 |
8 |
4 |
|
Total |
|
255 |
185 |
70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development - Chipping Norton Sub Area |
Status |
Total affordable homes |
Rental |
LCHO |
|
Quarry Place Enstone |
complete |
5 |
5 |
|
|
North Street, Middle Barton |
complete |
8 |
8 |
|
|
Dashwood Terrace, Middle Barton |
complete |
5 |
4 |
1 |
|
Choice Hill Road, Over Norton |
application under construction |
9 |
6 |
3 |
|
Oxford Road, Enstone |
application under construction |
29 |
15 |
14 |
|
Total |
|
56 |
38 |
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other pipeline - Chipping Norton Sub Area |
Status |
Total affordable homes |
|
|
|
Land East Of Worton Road Middle Barton |
application under consideration |
14 |
|
|
|
Land North And South Of The Lane Great Tew |
application under consideration |
6 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Chipping Norton schemes predating 10 year request for info |
|
Total affordable homes |
|
|
|
Parker Knoll, Chipping Norton |
Complete |
47 affordable |
|
|
|
Edward Stone Rise, Chipping Norton |
Complete |
15 affordable |
|
|
|
Coopers Square/Close, Chipping Norton |
Complete |
13 affordable |
|
|
|
Total |
|
75 |
|
|
Q3f Asked by Keith Ruddle
Lack of Town parking – Did WODC’s cabinet and officers come here by public transport or by car – we hope they parked easily. Most visitors can’t on weekdays and holidays. WODC’s last parking study for Chippy was 2016 – concluding that more than 100 new town centre parking spaces were needed. What action are WODC proactively planning to help this?
A3f Answered by Councillor Lidia Arciszewska the Cabinet Member for Environment.
The Parking Team will be providing a revised parking strategy for the district, which is planned for completion 2023.
The revision will take into consideration current and future needs of each area including Chipping Norton.
Q3g Asked by Keith Ruddle
A welcome for visitors – WODC long ago closed our tourist centre and one stop shop. Our visitor signposting is years out of date or absent, and our street name signs need major refurbishment. WODC know all this = what plans for action are there?
A3g Answered by Councillor Duncan Enright the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development.
There has been no formal request to replace the signs in Chipping Norton. There is a process in place, which is outlined on our website - https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/planning-and-building/street-naming-and-numbering/
The Economic Development team is commissioning a study as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund looking to identify potential projects to support market towns. One strand will be looking to review signage and wayfinding tools from the perspective of a visitor and to identify any issues and areas for improvement.
Q3h Asked by Keith Ruddle
Chippy’s ageing Leisure Centre – This was a welcome facility over 20 years ago but when are WODC going to invest in upgrade, maintenance (those leaks!) or even replacement?
A3h Answered by Councillor Joy Aitman the Cabinet Member for Stronger Healthy Communities.
Chipping Norton Leisure centre was built in 2002. The Council has obtained four quotes to carry out internal repairs to the centre and it is anticipated that this work will be started in the coming weeks.
A national roofing contractor has also been appointed to conduct an invasive investigation of the roof and prepare a report detailing recommended works, including any temporary solutions. The invasive investigation is due to take place in the first few weeks of December, with the final report due by the end of January 2023.