Agenda item

Report by Planning Development Manager and Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer

An update and proposed amendment to the resolution of the Planning and Regulation Committee on 19 January 2026 on the former Wicklesham Quarry, Faringdon, further to advice from the Highways Authority.

Officers therefore RECOMMEND that the resolution of the Committee be amended to state as follows:

That subject to further consideration of satisfactory highway treatments for crossing the A420 by highways officers, with the applicant and planning officers; which would come back to the Chair for consideration and a 25m buffer zone on the SSSI and subject to a Section 106 agreement to cover the matters outlined in Annex 2, planning permission for MW.0151/23 be approved subject to conditions to be determined by the Director of Economy and Place, to include those set out in Annex 1.

The Chair introduced the item to the meeting and invited the Planning Development Manager and Solicitor to present a report updating the Committee on matters arising from its previous resolution to approve planning application MW.0151/23 for development at the former Wicklesham Quarry.

Officers reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 19 January 2026, planning permission had been approved subject to further consideration of highway crossing arrangements on the A420, a 25-metre buffer zone to the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and completion of a Section 106 agreement.

Officers explained that further work had since been undertaken regarding the highway arrangements and the implementation of the Committee's previous resolution, with highways officers advising that a Traffic Regulation Order was not required for a crossing across the A420.

Richard Tamplin addressed the Committee and raised concerns regarding the lawfulness of the previous decision-making process and the legal status of the application. He questioned whether the Committee had acted ultra vires when granting planning permission in January 2026 and argued that the development should have been treated as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development, whilst also raising concerns regarding the screening opinion previously issued by the County Council and the wider legal basis for proceeding with the application.

Officers noted that the Council had exercised its delegated powers correctly when issuing the screening opinion and that whilst a third party had sought a screening direction from the Secretary of State, such a direction was not received.

Members discussed the proposed highway crossing arrangements and the relationship between the development and the adjacent SSSI. Members noted that officers had continued discussions with highways colleagues and the applicant regarding the most appropriate crossing solution.

The Chair proposed that the recommendation to amend the resolution of the Committee as set out below be approved. The Deputy Chair seconded the proposal.

That subject to further consideration of satisfactory highway treatments for crossing the A420 by highways officers, with the applicant and planning officers; which would come back to the Chair for consideration and a 25m buffer zone on the SSSI and subject to a Section 106 agreement to cover the matters outlined in Annex 2, planning permission for MW.0151/23 be approved subject to conditions to be determined by the Director of Economy and Place, to include those set out in Annex 1.

RESOLVED: That subject to further consideration of satisfactory highway treatments for crossing the A420 by highways officers, with the applicant and planning officers; which would come back to the Chair for consideration and a 25m buffer zone on the SSSI and subject to a Section 106 agreement to cover the matters outlined in Annex 2, planning permission for MW.0151/23 be approved subject to conditions to be determined by the Director of Economy and Place, to include those set out in Annex 1, by a majority vote.

Cllr Diana Lugova stepped down from the Chair at this stage and viewed the Committee from the public gallery but did not participate in the debate or vote. Cllr Gavin McLauchlan (Deputy Chair) assumed the role of Chair for the remainder of the meeting.