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Agenda item

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.

 

Page

Application No.

Address

Planning Officer

13–31

23/01524/FUL

University Farm Witney Road

 

Joan Desmond

 

32-41

23/02197/FUL

Mutchmeats Ltd Abattoir  New Close Lane

 

Kate Alder

 

42=66

23/02352/FUL

Land East Of Main Road

 

Joan Desmond

 

67-71

23/02672/HHD

30 Milestone Road Carterton

 

Elloise Street

 

 

 

Minutes:

Ahead of the Applications for Development being considered by the Sub-Committee, the Chair advised there would be a meeting of the Development Control Committee taking place on Monday 5 February 2024 at 10.00am. Members were asked to note this in their diaries. The Chair also advised that further information regarding the meeting would be cascaded by Democratic Services when available.

 

23/01524/FUL – University Farm, Witney Road, Hailey, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 9UH.

 

Joan Desmond, Principal Planner, introduced the application, for the installation and operation of a renewable energy generating station comprising ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays and battery-based electricity storage containers, together with a switchgear container, inverter/transformer units, site access, internal access tracks, security measures, access gates, other ancillary infrastructure and landscaping and biodiversity enhancements.

The Principal Planner drew the Committee’s attention to the additional representations report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting.

Bente Klein addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the applicant, which raised points of clarification surrounding outstanding paperwork related to the application, projected levels of construction traffic in the local area, destination of generated electricity from the site, and support to the local community in conjunction with Hailey Parish Council.

The Principal Planner continued with their presentation, which clarified the following points:

  • Generation of approximately 35 megawatt of renewable electricity – Enough for the proposed site to provide renewable electricity for up to 15,000 homes over an estimated 40-year period;
  • Character and visual impacts of the local area – The site would have harmful impacts on the landscape surrounding the proposed site, and more locally within the Hailey Conservation Area;
  • The proposed site would help to achieve renewable energy targets stated and supported within the National Planning Policy Framework;
  • The proposal would have a harmful impact on the character and landscape and heritage assets of the local area.

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

  • Benefits of renewable energy more broadly – The site would help to provide renewable electricity for up to 15,000 homes in the local area;
  • Harmful impacts of the site on the local conservation area – The proposed site would heavily impact land used regularly for agricultural purposes;
  • Clarification of the Officer recommendations – The application was recommended by Officers for refusal, and Members were advised to consider the officer recommendations that were before the Sub-Committee;
  • Height of the fencing on the perimeter of the proposed site – The site would be surrounded by fencing consistent with other solar farms;
  • Lack of supporting information related to the proposed site – The applicant had not submitted all the required information within the application.  Given the late submission of additional information the applicant had been advised to withdraw the application and submit a fresh application;
  • Impacts of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) within the local area – The proposal would see a substantial increase in construction traffic in the local area.

Councillor Lysette Nicholls proposed that the application be refused, in line with officer recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Nick Leverton, was put to a vote, and was agreed unanimously by the Sub-Committee.

 The Sub-Committee Resolved to:

  1. Refuse the application, in line with officer recommendations.

 

23/02197/FUL – Mutchmeats Ltd. Abattoir, New Close Lane, Ducklington, Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 7GX.

Kate Alder, Planning Officer, introduced the retrospective application, for the erection of two semi-permanent single storey self-contained sleeper cabins.

Robin Heath addressed the Sub-Committee on behalf of the applicant, which raised points of clarification surrounding the intended use of the accommodation cabins, potential future growth of accommodation provisions, and the proximity of the site to other abattoirs in the region.

The Planning Officer continued with their presentation, which clarified the following points:

  • The accommodation would be of a permanent fixing, and connected to the main water and sewage networks;
  • The application would not meet or comply with Local Plan policies E1, OS2 and H2;
  • Impacts of related odour connected to the site and the impacts of the odour in the local area, local community, and the impact on local residents;
  • The site is located adjacent to a sewage works, which would add to impacts related to odour of the proposed site.

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

  • Welfare of employees at the abattoir – The accommodation units would allow staff to exercise shift patterns without reasonable rest disturbances between shifts;
  • Potential, future design features of additional accommodation – Members stated that additional accommodation provisions would need to be consistent with current accommodation provisions;
  • Additional future use of the accommodation units for office purposes – The dwellings could be used for offices once accommodation is no longer required;
  • Size of the accommodation units – Members deemed the accommodation units to be unfit for purpose, and small in size.

Councillor Harry St. John proposed that the application be approved by the Sub-Committee, subject to agreed conditions. The proposition was not seconded and consequently fell.

Councillor Julian Cooper proposed that the application be refused, in line with officer recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Nick Leverton and was put to a vote. There were 5 votes in favour, 1 vote against, and 4 abstentions. The vote was carried.

 The Sub-Committee Resolved to:

  1. Refuse the application, in line with officer recommendations.

 

23/02352/FUL – Land East of Main Road Stanton Harcourt Oxfordshire.

 

The Chair advised the Sub-Committee that the application had been withdrawn by the applicant and would not be considered at the meeting.

 

23/02672/HHD – 30 Milestone Road, Carterton, Oxfordshire OX18 3RG.

 

Abby Fettes, Development Manager, introduced the application, for the erection of a single storey front extension and porch.

The Application had come before the Sub-Committee as the applicant was a relation to a member of the Council.

Councillor Lysette Nicholls proposed that the application be approved, in line with officer recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Adrian Walsh, was put to a vote, and was agreed unanimously by the Sub-Committee.

 The Sub-Committee Resolved to:

1.    Approve the application, in line with officer recommendations.

Supporting documents:

 

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