Agenda item
25/01315/FUL Storage Land, Horseshoe Lane, Chadlington
Minutes:
Emile Baldauf-Clark, Planner presented the application for the erection of 2 commercial buildings for mixed use classes B2/B8/E(g). With provision of car parking, cycle parking and landscaping. Also, for an erection of a security entrance gate.
The Planner’s presentation addressed the following points:
- The Parish Council objected to the application and their comments had been included in the Additional Representations report.
- The planning history of the site and the current use of storage and a lorry park.
- The new plans included two barns either side of the site. One barn would be slightly larger than the other and would be of a traditional Dutch style design built from a mixture of cladding and stone. The site would also include a security gate and planting.
Ann Gate, local resident spoke in objection to the application and raised the following points: The Parish Council had objected, there were concerns about the habitat of local wildlife and the disturbance of the badger sets around the site including exposed tunnels. This had been reported to Thames Valley Police.
Cllr Prakash Kelshiker, Parish Councillor for Chadlington addressed the Sub-Committee and raised the following points: concerns about the wildlife and disturbance of the badger sets, impacts on the surrounding landscape and Cotswold National Landscape. Impact on landscape with artificial security lighting and the range of commercial uses. Screening should be considered and hedgerows as well as operational hours on the site.
Huw Mellor, Agent, addressed the Sub-Committee and raised the following points:
The design of the barns were modest in size and of a high quality for commercial use, the site did not extend into the surrounding countryside, the employment supported the rural economy. There were no objections from the statutory consultees.
The Planner continued with the presentation and addressed the following points:
· The benefits of the application included the well-established site for commercial use.
· The proposed design was modest in scale and traditional in appearance which complimented the rural location. The proposed materials included stone and cladding which would soften the appearance next to the surrounding character of the area.
· The proposal would not result in any harms to the character of the area.
· A condition had been recommended to limit the use of the external lighting regarding the hours of operation to protect the night skies in the rural area. This would also reduce the number of HGV vehicles accessing the site.
· There were no objections from Oxfordshire County Council Highways.
· The biodiversity officer had not identified any badger sets on the site however a condition was recommended requiring a pre-commencement badger survey and implication of mitigation to safeguard other species and maintain wildlife corridors.
· The proposal would provide flexible business space use and support local employment opportunities.
The Chair then invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application, which raised the following points:
- Members asked for clarification on the use of lighting on the site and position of rooflights. The Planner confirmed the skylights faced the road.
- The protection of the badger sets and the work done on the site before the application had been approved. The Principal Planner confirmed that the damage to badger sets was dealt with by separate legislation and the approval of the application would include conditions to protect wildlife.
- Members asked if the provision of bird boxes be included to help mitigate the disturbance of the badger sets.
- Members asked why solar panels were not included in the application.
- Members raised concerns about the lighting when the building is in use, the Planner advised that the report covered the working times.
Councillor Geoff Saul proposed that the Sub-Committee approve the application in line with the officers’ recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor David Jackson and put to the vote.
Voting Record – the vote for the proposal was unanimous.
The Sub-Committee Resolved to:
- Approve the application in line with the officers’ recommendations.