Agenda item
25/00805/FUL Enstone Quarry, Oxford Road, Enstone
Minutes:
The Development Manager, Abby Fettes, presented the application for a proposed vehicle depot (additional information received).
The presentation addressed the following points:
- The Development Manager drew members' attention to the additional representations report, and the additional objection had been received.
- The application was for consent for the change of use of the former Enstone Quarry to a proposed vehicle depot to aid Smiths of Gloucester limited with the logistics of their Oxfordshire based operations.
- The site was surrounded by agricultural land; there was a substantial hedge row that screened the main roads. The site was made up of existing hard standing area and an old barn on the western part of the site. The entrance to the site was located on to Enstone Road.
- The site did not fall into any special designated areas of control. The proposal included a two storey portacabin.
Councillor Craig Miller, Enstone Parish Council spoke in objection and raised the following points: road safety on to and off the site due to the location and road junctions, the length of the vehicles that would be accessing the site and the contamination of nearby stream by hydrocarbons from the site.
Lucy Binnie, agent for the applicant raised the following points: the proposal was for a low key development on a unused brownfield site, there were no objections from Highways, traffic levels would be higher at the beginning and end of the day, and the development of buildings would be at the far western part of the site away from the stream. There would also be CCTV and securing fencing around the site and gates at the entrance.
The Development Manager continued with the presentation and addressed the following points:
- The application is supported by policy OS2 as the development would be on previously used land on a brownfield site.
- The application supported rural businesses and enabled them to grow in a sustainable manner whilst supporting and maintaining employment in the local area.
- The site is surrounded by agricultural land and well-established planting around the site which reduced the visibility of public view.
- The structure of the two-storey cabin is not attractive but would be functional as an office and welfare space. A condition had been included to ensure that external lighting spill would be controlled.
- A revised layout for parking had been included to accommodate provision for 8 cars rather than 16. When considering the concerns over flooding, comments were still expected from the drainage engineer, the officer asked that delegated authority was given subject to there being no objections from the drainage engineer and any further conditions were to be agreed with the Chair.
The Chair then invited the Sub-Committee to discuss the application, which raised the following points.
- Members asked if a condition could be included for the cabin could be painted to better fit in with the surrounding area and the site not to be used for storage purposes.
- How would the parking on site be enforced? The officer confirmed that a new plan was submitted to allow only HGVs and 6 vehicles for overnight parking.
- Concerns were raised concerning the condition for drainage, the officer confirmed that this condition would be agreed with the Chair for delegation.
- Members asked if the entrance could be moved back onto the site to help with the road safety concerns and asked for clarification of who would be maintaining the gates to the site. The officer confirmed that there would be a member of staff on site and gates would be open during operating hours. It would not be possible to move the entrance back due to limited space to manoeuvre vehicles on the site.
Councillor Geoff Saul proposed the Sub-Committee approve the application to include an additional condition that the cabin be painted and no storage be allowed on the site. This was seconded by the Chair and put to the vote.
Voting record – 6 for 2 against 0 Abstentions.
The Sub-Committee Resolved to:
- Approve the application to include an additional condition that the cabin be painted and no storage be allowed on the site.