Agenda item
25/01782/FUL Windrush Inn, Burford Road, Witney
Minutes:
Ella Charles, Planner presented the application for the erection of a wooden climbing frame (retrospective).
The planners presentation addressed the following points.
- The application had been brought before the sub-committee due to objection from Witney Town Council.
- The site was surrounded by residential development and was accessed via Burford Road to the south. The climbing frame sat to the east of the pub building in the adjacent pub garden. The neighbouring properties ran alongside the pub garden.
David Highton spoke in objection to the application and raised the following points:
- Was speaking on behalf of his neighbour Mrs Kerr as well.
- Asked for the climbing frame to be moved away from their properties and neighbouring properties to a more suitable location.
- Explained that their properties can be looked into from the location of the climbing frame, often older children use the frame. The sound of children can be high pitched.
- The impact on his family and offered a financial contribution to relocate the climbing frame.
Mia Lester, applicant addressed the sub-committee and raised the following points:
- Had liaised with neighbours and shown the brochure of the climbing frame.
- The frame was designed for children under 10 years old.
- The position had been carefully thought out to enable children to play safely. The garden was fenced and the garden seating is located near the gate access to the garden. This is to enable staff to serve food and drinks to guests without risking accidents with younger children.
- The climbing frame could not be relocated to the rear of the pub due to the angle of the garden and lack of fencing. No company could be found to take on this work due to liability.
The planners presentation addressed the following points:
· The climbing frame was a timber frame construction consisting of timber posts and supporting cross beams. Officers considered the climbing frame to be a moderate, well -designed structure which formed a logical complement to the existing pub garden setting.
· The climbing frame, whilst visible from the street scene, was not considered to give rise to any adverse impacts given the garden's set -back nature and the proportional design of the frame.
· Concerns of the neighbouring properties had been acknowledged however the climbing frame was not a solid or enclosed structure, it was not deemed to result in any significant harm to amenity of adjoining properties in terms of loss of light, overlooking and overbearing matters
· The position of the climbing frame at the front of the adjacent properties, any associated noise impacts were expected to be minimal.
· The proposed climbing frame was considered to be a proportionate well -designed addition to the pub garden which provided a safe place for children to play whilst visiting the pub. The application was recommended for approval.
The Chair invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application which raised the following points:
- Members acknowledged the pub owners enhancing the use of the garden for a place for local families to use.
- Members acknowledged the concerns of the speaker and neighbours and suggested that there could be screening to lessen the noise from the garden by way of both owner and neighbours working together.
Councillor Liam Walker proposed the Sub-Committee approve the application in line with the officer recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Andrew Lyon and put to the vote.
Voting Record - the vote was unanimous.
The Sub-Committee Resolved to:
- Approve the application in line with officer recommendations.