Agenda item

24/02901/OUT Land North of Holliers Crescent, Middle Barton.

Meeting of Uplands Area Planning Sub-Committee, Monday, 20th October, 2025 2.00 pm (Item 47.)

Minutes:

The Development Manager Abby Fettes, presented the application for the outline planning with some matters reserved for residential and associated development (up to 80 dwellings) including means of access, access roads, green infrastructure, drainage and other infrastructure (additional info received).

The presentation addressed the following points

The Development Manager draw members' attention to the additional representations report. Three further objections had been received, comments from environmental health, and additional conditions regarding footpath and the electric bike hub had been included.
The application was for up to 80 dwellings. It included the means of access, the access roads, green infrastructure, drainage and other infrastructure.
The site had come before the Sub-Committee in November 2023 but was refused due to biodiversity, archaeology and standard legal agreement reasons. Officers worked with the applicant to move the site closer to the existing housing.
The revised scheme was closer to Holliers crescent away from the north of the site, at the highest point in a more contained area with additional green space. Those members who had attended the site visit would recall the rise from south to north, the field.

Roger Tyres, a Councillor from Steeple Barton Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application and raised the following points: the site was not sustainable due to no public transport, more housing would result in the increase in traffic to and from the village, harm to the nesting areas for Skylark population and risks to flooding.

Councillor Andy Graham, the ward member and Oxfordshire County Councillor, raised the following points: the comments on page 17 of the officer’s report which covered flooding and drainage water management, concerns that the proposed development was situated on a slope and the impact on the village regarding the risks of flooding.

Doug Bamsey, agent for the applicant raised the following points: long term sustainability for the village, with provision of family homes there would be more students attending the local primary school which had seen decline in numbers, new traffic control, economic benefits to the village, ecological mitigation for local wildlife and S106 contributions to services such as NHS, Oxfordshire County Council, Parish Council and provision to support local sports.

The Development Manager continued with the presentation and addressed the following points:

The Council could not demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply, and the site would provide a 12 % increase in the number of houses in Middle Barton. The village fell within Chipping Norton sub-area and was not constrained by the Cotswolds natural landscape. It was expected that both Middle Barton and Enstone would take some of the housing growth in the future.
The site was considered to be of an appropriate scale, particularly given the housing need in the district. There was a short walk to the village and primary school from the site. It was recognised there was no secondary school provision and limited employment opportunities within the village.
Oxfordshire County Council Highways acknowledged that there was very limited public transport provision and were satisfied that this would be mitigated through financial contributions towards improvements. There were no objections from Highways.
The conservation area could not be seen from the proposed site. There were no listed buildings near the proposed site. There was no risk of harm to the conservation area.
The application had been revised to pull the development closer to the frontage of Hollier’s Crescent and there would be a 20 meter boundary on the southern side which was required for drainage.
The heights of the proposed dwellings were designed to complement the existing housing on Hollier’s Crescent due to the slope of the land. The development would sit lower than the development on Worton Road. Planting was also proposed to strengthen boundaries.
The officer addressed concerns regarding flooding. There had been no objection from the lead local flood authority, and it was considered there were no harms to protected areas.
The application would deliver 80 new homes which included 40 affordable homes, with 10% biodiversity net gain both on and off the proposed site, a new local playground, improved connectivity for pedestrians and a community orchard. The officer recommendation was for approval.

The Chair then invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application, which raised the following points.

Members raised concerns that the application had been refused in the past, the site would extend the curtilage of the village and was too big in site in relation to the village. Also concerns over the impact on wildlife and flooding. The officer addressed these concerns and confirmed that a smaller development would not be as beneficial financially and there had been no objections on ecological grounds and biodiversity net gain had been addressed.
Members commented that the Thames Water comments were not clear. The officer confirmed that Thames Water had suggested conditions to cover foul water and drainage.

Member raised concerns regarding the ecology and the presence of Skylarks which were a red listed species, were heard on the site visit. The officer confirmed that Skylarks were in the vicinity of the site and proposals included offsite compensation area for breeding, amended bird mitigation strategy and enhancement of habitatThe Development Manager Abby Fettes, presented the application for the outline planning with some matters reserved for residential and associated development (up to 80 dwellings) including means of access, access roads, green infrastructure, drainage and other infrastructure (additional info received).

The presentation addressed the following points

The Development Manager draw members' attention to the additional representations report. Three further objections had been received, comments from environmental health, and additional conditions regarding footpath and the electric bike hub had been included.
The application was for up to 80 dwellings. It included the means of access, the access roads, green infrastructure, drainage and other infrastructure.
The site had come before the Sub-Committee in November 2023 but was refused due to biodiversity, archaeology and standard legal agreement reasons. Officers worked with the applicant to move the site closer to the existing housing.
The revised scheme was closer to Holliers crescent away from the north of the site, at the highest point in a more contained area with additional green space. Those members who had attended the site visit would recall the rise from south to north, the field.

The Development Manager continued with the presentation and addressed the following points:

The Council could not demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply, and the site would provide a 12 % increase in the number of houses in Middle Barton. The village fell within Chipping Norton sub-area and was not constrained by the Cotswolds natural landscape. It was expected that both Middle Barton and Enstone would take some of the housing growth in the future.
The site was considered to be of an appropriate scale, particularly given the housing need in the district. There was a short walk to the village and primary school from the site. It was recognised there was no secondary school provision and limited employment opportunities within the village.
Oxfordshire County Council Highways acknowledged that there was very limited public transport provision and were satisfied that this would be mitigated through financial contributions towards improvements. There were no objections from Highways.
The conservation area could not be seen from the proposed site. There were no listed buildings near the proposed site. There was no risk of harm to the conservation area.
The application had been revised to pull the development closer to the frontage of Hollier’s Crescent and there would be a 20 meter boundary on the southern side which was required for drainage.
The heights of the proposed dwellings were designed to complement the existing housing on Hollier’s Crescent due to the slope of the land. The development would sit lower than the development on Worton Road. Planting was also proposed to strengthen boundaries.
The officer addressed concerns regarding flooding. There had been no objection from the lead local flood authority, and it was considered there were no harms to protected areas.
The application would deliver 80 new homes which included 40 affordable homes, with 10% biodiversity net gain both on and off the proposed site, a new local playground, improved connectivity for pedestrians and a community orchard. The officer recommendation was for approval.

The Chair then invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application, which raised the following points.

Members raised concerns that the application had been refused in the past, the site would extend the curtilage of the village and was too big in site in relation to the village. Also concerns over the impact on wildlife and flooding. The officer addressed these concerns and confirmed that a smaller development would not be as beneficial financially and there had been no objections on ecological grounds and biodiversity net gain had been addressed.
Members commented that the Thames Water comments were not clear. The officer confirmed that Thames Water had suggested conditions to cover foul water and drainage.
Member raised concerns regarding the ecology and the presence of Skylarks which were a red listed species, were heard on the site visit. The officer confirmed that Skylarks were in the vicinity of the site and proposals included offsite compensation area for breeding, amended bird mitigation strategy and enhancement of habitat.
Concerns were raised regarding the poor transport connections to the local towns and rail services. Members recognised the need for affordable housing in the area.

Councillor David Jackson proposed that Sub-Committee refuse the application as it did not meet policies T1, EH3, OS2 and OS3. This was seconded by Councillor Genny Early and put to the vote.

The Sub-Committee voted on the proposal to refuse the application as follows;

Voting Record – 4 for, 4 against and 0 abstentions. As the vote was tied, the Chair used their casting vote to vote against the proposal to refuse. The proposal to refuse fell.

Councillor Geoff Saul proposed the Sub-Committee approve the application in line with the officer recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Roger Faulkner and put to the vote.

The Sub-Committee voted on the proposal to approve the application as follows;

Voting Record – 4 for, 4 against and 0 abstentions. As the vote was tied, the Chair used their casting vote to vote for the proposal to approve the application. The proposal to approve was carried.

The Sub-Committee Resolved to:

Approve the application in line with the officer recommendation.

Agenda item

24/02901/OUT Land North of Holliers Crescent, Middle Barton.

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