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Agenda item

Woodford Way

Purpose:

This report will provide an update on the Woodford Way project, engagement with Registered Providers and a proposed way forward in regard to parking.

 

Recommendations:

That the Executive resolves to:

1.    Note the update on progress with the Woodford Way project.

2.    Endorse the proposed approach to the residential development of the Woodford Way site and car parking (subject to planning permission).

 

Minutes:

Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Care, introduced the item, the purpose of which was to provide an update on the Woodford Way project, engagement with Registered Providers and a proposed way forward in regard to parking.

 

In his presentation Councillor Saul made the following points:

 

  • The scheme provided seventy affordable homes consisting of one and two bed properties for social rent. Social rent was at 50% of the market rate.
  • At present the district had 2,300 residents on the waiting list for housing, with 90 needing emergency accommodation, therefore this need was urgent.
  • The Council was the landowner of the site and so this project had presented an opportunity to make the development 100% affordable.
  • The central location of the site in Witney had made it ideal in terms of access to amenities and transport. Residents living in such close proximity to the town centre would also increase footfall in the town’s shops.
  • The Executive did recognise that there was an impact of developing the site on the parking provision in the town. Councillor Saul acknowledged that this could displace people in the day and residents who used the car park at night. However, the Council was actively working on solutions that could include the use of the available capacity at Marriotts Walk or a key fob scheme for workers and residents.
  • A revised set of architect’s designs had been produced since the publication of the report. These plans included additional public parking bays.
  • The Executive had listened to public comment and were working to increase the parking and prioritise key workers.

 

The Director of Place expanded on the new architects plans and advised that these would be fully costed and viability checked before moving to the planning process.

 

Councillor Saul proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.

 

Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, reiterated that this was a core policy of the Council. The Council owned the land which would mean the project could be delivered with lower cost and the scheme matched the parameters of Homes England who were supportive.

 

Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, queried the potential for multi-storey or underground parking on the site. The Director of Place responded and referenced the revised architects drawing that had picked up aspects of this approach in its design but noted such approaches could increase cost.

 

Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader of the Council, praised the movement from the original proposal that properties would be sold on the open market to 100% affordable and reiterated the benefits of the housing being in Witney town centre for businesses. Councillor Enright sought more clarity on the plans for key worker accommodation and the balance of the parking requirements of shoppers and residents of the area. Councillor Saul responded by stating that the Council was mindful of these considerations and how important this was to local Members. The detail of the scheme was still being developed. The proximity of the three blue light services was a key consideration, and the available capacity of Marriotts Walk was being looked at as a solution. Councillor Saul reminded the meeting that parking in Witney was still free. In expanding the discussion, Councillor Arciszewska reminded the meeting that the district was rural, and so cars were needed. This need for car use was required to be balanced against the use of land for parking when land was of limited availability in the district.

 

A Member of the opposition requested more detail of the under-croft aspect of the new architects’ plans referenced by the Executive Member and Director of Place. The Director of Place explained that the latest set of drawings did not provide a multistorey car park but included an under-croft. This feature would enable residents parking to be provided under one of the proposed blocks and would free up an additional fifty spaces for public parking. This would increase the total public parking spaces to seventy-seven on the site. 

 

A Non-Executive Member noted that she had seen alternative low-cost methods of building in Bicester that could be considered. Additionally, the point was made that some residents did not feel secure in a multi-storey car pack and that this should be considered.

 

Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, seconded the proposal and noted that there were two further opportunities for public engagement on this proposal. The first would be when the plans were completed and then a second consultation would form part of the planning application process. Details of these consultations would be communicated by the Council.

 

This was voted on and approved unanimously.

 

RESOLVED:

That the Executive:

  1. Noted the update on progress with the Woodford Way project.
  2. Endorsed the proposed approach to the residential development of the Woodford Way site and car parking (subject to planning permission).

Supporting documents:

 

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