Agenda item
23/00539/FUL, The Crawley Inn, Foxburrow Lane
Minutes:
Clare Anscombe, Senior Planning Officer presented the application for the erection of 5 dwellings on the former car park together with the conversion of public house to provide 3 dwellings with associated parking, landscaping and works (amended plans).
The Planning Officer provided the history of the site, which had been subject to enforcement in the past. The site would also include a landscape buffer.
Andrew Pyrell addressed the Sub-Committee as the agent on behalf of the applicant and provided clarification regarding the minimum size of the bedrooms and width of the landscape buffer. Andrew Pyrell also clarified that the landscape buffer would be secured by condition.
The Planning Officer continued with their presentation, which clarified the following points:
· The essential need to re-use appropriate buildings, the site could not be used as a public house going forwards. There was already a suitable public house in Crawley, the Lamb Inn which was suitable for residents;
· The size and scale of the site complimented the surrounding character and heritage of the local village and was not at odds with the surrounding houses. The proposed materials would reflect the houses in the area;
· There would be no intensification of traffic and a passing place would be added subject to conditions;
· Roads and gardens are located in flood zone 3. No dwellings are proposed within flood zones 2 or 3;
· The site would be cleared of all camping and caravans, and this could be secured by way of Legal Agreement. The development of the site would help to prevent unlawful activity. A Legal Agreement could require that the pub conversion would be completed prior to the occupation of the new-build dwellings to secure the conversion and enhancement of the existing run-down pub;
· A proposed landscape and maintenance plan could be secured by condition which would provide sufficient biodiversity and landscape enhancements and protect existing planting to safeguard the character and appearance of the area;
· The harm does not outweigh the benefits of the scheme and the Planning Officer’s recommendation was for approval of the application.
The Chair then invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application which raised the following points:
· The site did not have any affordable housing included in the application. The Planning Officer confirmed that the application had less than 10 dwellings so there was no requirement for affordable housing;
· Was the parking provision sufficient for the site and number of dwellings. The road to the site could be dangerous for pedestrians. The Planning Officer confirmed that Oxfordshire County Council had viewed the information for the parking and found that it met the technical standards. It was confirmed that there were 6 spaces for visitor parking;
· The Sub-Committee raised concerns regarding the frequency of public transport in the area. It was confirmed that the village is on 210 bus route for residents to access to travel to the nearest towns;
· The caravans on the site were to be removed and new-build properties were not to be occupied before the conversion of the pub is completed. This could be secured by way of Legal Agreement.
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 subject to Legal Agreement.