Agenda item
25/00333/OUT Land East of 87-123 Wroslyn Road , Freeland
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 village. The continued support for the school.
- The heritage and historical environment with a focus on archaeological investigations in the area.
- The Principal Planner confirmed that there would be a biodiversity net gain provided by a secured legal agreement. Acknowledgement of reoccurring sewage concerns and issues, however the Environment Agency did not object to the application and Grampian conditions could be included.
- For access to the woodland an informative could be added.
Councillor Lidia Arcizsewska proposed the Sub-Committee refuse the application against officer recommendations . This was seconded by Councillor Mike Baggaley and put to the vote.
Voting Record – For refusal 3; Against refusal 5; Abstention 1 - the vote fell.
Councillor Geoff Saul proposed the Sub-Committee approve the application to include a condition for the flexibility of the layout of public open space/allotments/parking areas. This was seconded by Councillor Andrew Beaney, put to the vote and agreed by the Sub-Committee.
Voting Record – For approval 5; Against approval 3; Abstention 1.
The Sub-Committee resolved to:
- Approve the application to include a condition for the flexibility of the layoutof public open space/allotments/parking areas .
The Chair advised that the Sub-Committee had further applications to consider which would take the time over the 3 hour time limit for the meeting and proposed that the Sub-Committee vote to extend the meeting time by 1 hour. This was unanimously agreed by the Sub-Committee.