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ITEM PN3

PLANNING AND REGULATION COMMITTEE –
2 DECEMBER 2002

Minutes of the Meeting commencing at 2.00 pm and finishing at 4.08 pm

Present:

The Committee considered the matters, reports and recommendations contained or referred to in the agenda for the meeting, together with a schedule of addenda tabled at the meeting, and decided as set out below. Except insofar as otherwise specified, the reasons for the decisions are contained in the agenda and reports and schedule, copies of which are attached to the signed Minutes.

66/02. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS

Apologies for absence and temporary appointments were received as follows:

Apology from	Temporary Appointments
Councillor J. Cooper	Councillor Dennis
Councillor Mrs Hastings	-
Councillor Carol Viney	-

67/02. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Ludlow declared a personal interest under Item 5 (Application No S.28/02 Lord Williams’s School) insofar as she was a resident of Thame and a member of Thame Town Council.

Councillor Dawes declared a personal interest under Item 6 (City Farm, Eynsham) insofar as he was a member of Long Hanborough Parish Council but advised that he had not previously considered this matter in that capacity.

Councillor MacKenzie declared a personal interest under item 7 (Cross Trees Farm) insofar as she was a resident of Sutton Courtenay Village but expressed her intention to represent the interests of her electorate.

Councillor Bryden declared a personal interest under Item 13 (Ridgeway National Trail) insofar as he was a member of the Ramblers Association.

68/02. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 21 October 2002 were approved and signed.

Minute 62/02 (58/02 – St Aloysuis RC First School)

In response to Councillor Mold, Mr Griffin advised that the measures taken to protect the remaining part of the greenhouse/conservatory had suffered damage during the recent storms but had been replaced. The school and the Diocese architect were in discussion with The Victorian Group of Oxfordshire regarding the future of the building.

Minute 62/02 (60/02 Old Brickworks Farm, Bletchingdon)

Mr Duncalfe advised that the Article 14 direction had been withdrawn and the permission issued.

Minute 65/02 (Sutton Wick)

Councillor MacKenzie advised that progress had been made with regard to meetings of the Liaison Committee.

69/02. PETITIONS AND PUBLIC ADDRESS

The Chair reported that the following requests to address the meeting had been agreed:-

Request from	Agenda Item
Mrs J Derrick Oakridge Barn 3 City Farm Barns Eynsham Witney Oxon. OX29 4YA	6 - Deposit of Inert Waste Material to Restore Original Land Levels and Improve Agricultural Productivity at City Farm, Eynsham – Application Number W2002/1337
David Knowles ) 19 Lady Place) Sutton Courtenay ) Dr Eric Lewis ) Frome End ) Courtenay Close ) Sutton Courtenay ) Suzi Coyne ) Agenda for the Applicants )	7 - Extraction of Sand & Gravel from Approximately 7 Hectares of Land at Cross Trees Farm, Sutton Courtenay and the Continued Use of the Processing Plant. Application No SUT/5950/6-CM
Grahame Ash (D Cllr. speaking on ) behalf of residents) ) 218 Steventon Road ) Drayton ) Suzi Coyne ) Agent for the Applicants )	8. - Storage of Imported Soils to Reinstate Subsided Levels of Golf Course Built on Former Landfill Site, Steventon Road, Drayton. Oxon. Application No DRA/13267/1-CM

A petition containing 178 signatures had been received from residents of Sutton Courtenay objecting to the proposals for mineral extraction at Cross Trees Farm.

Mrs J. Derrick a resident of City Farm Barns addressed the Committee in respect of item 6 (City Farm, Eynsham). Her concerns, which were also shared by her neighbours, centred on safety, particularly at the access points to the site. Young children were collected at this point by school transport. There was limited visibility and traffic speeds were often in excess of the speed limit. The road was liable to regular flooding at this point and vehicles leaving the New Wintles Farm site frequently left large deposits of mud on the road, which added to the dangers. Residents had purchased their properties on the understanding that the site at New Wintles Farm would cease operations within one to two years but this now seemed unlikely. The noise from that site was excessive but a further area of working to the north would place an appalling strain on residents. The workings would also affect the Oxfordshire Circular Walk and the badger sett close to the site. She urged the Committee to reject the application.

Suzi Coyne then addressed the Committee on item 6 on behalf of the applicants who were aware of the need for improvement and felt that the application before the Committee would achieve those aims. The site would only be used for inert waste, which could not be recycled. There was a distinct lack of sites in the area for this type of waste. With regard to operations there had been few complaints about the site and when complaints had been received the applicant had dealt with them as a matter of urgency. No reversing bleepers operated on the site following discussions with residents a year ago when substantial changes were made to site operations. The Environment Agency had withdrawn its objection for a culverting condition. She also asked the Committee to note that the badger sett did not extend along the whole length of the site although the buffer zone imposed to protect the sett had been agreed along the entire length. It was a short-term operation and she urged the Committee to agree the application. With regard to access to the site she advised that moves to secure a different access had fallen through despite the best efforts of the applicant to secure a satisfactory agreement with the respective landowner.

David Knowles a resident of Sutton Courtenay addressed the Committee with regard to item 7 (Cross Trees Farm). The overwhelming majority of residents in the village opposed the proposal and he referred to an incredible depth of feeling and outrage against an application, which would bring working to within one hundred yards of the village. This was completely contrary to the County Council’s policies regarding buffer zones for settlements. He considered that if the Committee agreed this application the effect on the County Council’s Planning Policies would be so immense it would be difficult to see how the County Council could refuse any other application which came before it.

Dr Lewis another resident of Sutton Courtenay then addressed the Committee with regard to item 7. He also considered the application to be in total contravention of planning policies. The intrusion on the residents of Sutton Courtenay from the various operations within the vicinity of the village was immense as were the resultant levels of pollution. He listed 10,000 lorries transporting sand and gravel, the noise of London rubbish being dumped and the resultant smell. The proposal was for the creation of another lake, which was not what residents wanted. Water attracted more flies and as had been evident from a recent tragedy was a dangerous attraction to young children. He considered the application to be an insult to the residents of Sutton Courtenay Village who had clearly suffered enough over the years. He urged the Committee to refuse the application.

Grahame Ash, resident of Drayton then addressed the Committee with regard to item 8 (Golf Course, Steventon Road, Drayton). He advised the Committee that although he was least affected by the application personally he had been asked by local residents to come and speak on their behalf against the application. He referred to temporary areas on the course itself where the imported soil could be stored, but it was clearly obvious that this proposal had been put forward to avoid the payment of landfill tax. A major concern was the increase in heavy slow moving traffic on the Steventon Road. Access from the storage site onto the Steventon Road was also potentially dangerous with inadequate sightlines. There had also been problems with travellers moving onto the proposed storage site and there was concern that these problems would recur if the application were approved. He urged the Committee to reject the application.

Suzi Coyne then addressed the Committee with regard to item 8 on behalf of the applicant. She did not consider the reasons for refusal to be acceptable and felt that a compromise had been reached with the Highway Authority regarding many of the concerns which had been expressed in the report. Indeed the earlier view of the Highway Authority had been one of acceptance subject to the vision splays being cleared of foliage. Traffic generation would be minimal and would still occur if material was delivered straight to the golf course site. There were no proposals to remove any trees and the site would be well screened. Similarly at the pre-application discussions she had not been aware that an inadequate buffer zone was a problem. In view of these inconsistencies she asked the Committee to defer the application to enable County Council officers to consider measures put forward by the applicant to meet these concerns.

70/02. COUNTY COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATIONS

(Agenda Item 5)

The Committee considered the following current applications for County Council development, made under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992:-

Application No. O.30/02 (detailed). New Single Storey Nursery Extension, Conversion of Flat to Provide New School Admin Facility, Demolition of Church Hall and Provision of New Play Area for New Hinksey CE First School, Vicarage Road, New Hinksey, Oxford.

Application No: S.25/02 (detailed). Alterations and extensions to existing Magistrates’ Court, Didcot Magistrates’ Court, Mereland Road, Didcot, Oxon.

Application No: S.27/02 (detailed). Demolition of existing classroom and erection of extensions to provide two new classrooms, cloakroom and storage facilities plus the creation of new drop off area for Bishopswood Special School, Sonning Common Primary School, Grove Rd, Sonning Common, Reading, Berkshire RG4 9RJ.

Application No: S.28/02 (renewal). Retention of tarmac track from Sycamore Drive entrance to serve maintenance building, Lord Williams’s School, Oxford Road, Thame, Oxon OX9 2AQ.

RESOLVED: that the applications be determined as recommended in the schedules appended to this report (PN5) subject to in respect of Application O.30/02 (New Hinksey First School) an additional condition regarding Traffic Management Measures.

71/02. DEPOSIT OF INERT WASTE MATERIAL TO RESTORE ORIGINAL LAND LEVELS AND IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AT CITY FARM, EYNSHAM – APPLICATION NUMBER W2002/1337

(Agenda Item 6)

The Committee had before it a report (PN6) which considered a proposal to deposit 142000m³ of inert waste on poorly restored sand and gravel working at City Farm, Eynsham. There would be a need for the facility provided the nearby recycling facility at New Wintles Farm received permission for an extended period. The two sites would complement each other.

Mr Duncalfe advised that 3 further letters had been received.

Councillor Wyatt agreed with the representations made regarding safety along this section of road and considered it premature to consider this application in isolation of the application for New Wintles Farm.

Councillor Dawes agreed adding that access to the site should be via the Eynsham roundabout and A40.

Councillor Power referred to ambiguities in paragraph 33, 35 and 38 and the implications of Human Rights Legislation.

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Wyatt, seconded by Councillor Dawes and carried nem con) to defer consideration of Application W2002/1337 to enable consideration at the same time as the application to extend the recycling operation at New Wintles Farm.

72/02. EXTRACTION OF SAND & GRAVEL FROM APPROXIMATELY 7 HECTARES OF LAND AT CROSS TREES FARM, SUTTON COURTENAY AND THE CONTINUED USE OF THE PROCESSING PLANT. APPLICATION NO SUT/5950/6-CM

1. the proposed development conflicts with policy PE1(a,b) of the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan in that there is insufficient protection of local residential amenity."

73/02. STORAGE OF IMPORTED SOILS TO REINSTATE SUBSIDED LEVELS OF GOLF COURSE BUILT ON FORMER LANDFILL SITE, STEVENTON ROAD, DRAYTON. OXON. APPLICATION NO DRA/13267/1-CM

2. the use of the storage area is contrary to OMWLP policy PE3 in that there is not an appropriate buffer zone sufficient to protect losses of residential amenity for residents of Steventon Road;
3. the removal of vegetation sufficient to create an access with proper sightlines is contrary to policy EN7 of the OSP;
4. the use of the storage area is contrary to OMWLP policy M7(b) in that unacceptable disturbance to the amenity of residential properties on Steventon Road would occur."

74/02. EXTENSION OF TIME FOR MINERAL EXTRACTION AND PROCESSING AND THE IMPORTATION OF A LIMITED VOLUME OF INERT MATERIAL TO IMPROVE/RECLAIM THE SOUTHERN MARGINS OF LAKE J AT SUTTON WICK, ABINGDON, OXON. (APPLICATION NO DRA/SUT/1179/18-CM AND POO/WOO12/CMR)

75/02. EXTRACTION OF SAND AND GRAVEL AND RESTORATION TO LAKES AND AGRICULTURAL RESEVOIR AT SUTTON WICK, ABINGDON, OXON. APPLICATION NO DRA/3595/1-CM

76/02. VARIATION OF CONDITION 39 OF PERMISSION NO. P93/S0309/CM (TO ALLOW IMPORTATION OF AGGREGATES) AT CAVERSHAM LAKES, NEAR READING FOR LAFARGE AGGREGATES

The Committee considered a report (PN11) which set out an application to vary Condition 39 of the Caversham Lakes sand and gravel permission by allowing some limited importation of aggregates.

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Reynolds, seconded by Councillor Mrs Fulljames and carried nem con) that:

1. the application for the variation of Condition 39 of Permission P93/SO309/CM (to allow the importation of aggregates to the site) at Caversham Lakes be approved, the new condition to read as follows:

"That a maximum number of three lorry loads of aggregates per day shall be imported to the site",

2. an additional condition be added which stated:

"That from the date of this permission the operators shall maintain records of their daily importation of aggregates and shall make them available to the mineral planning authority at any time upon request."

3. all other existing conditions on Permission No. P93/SO309/CM to remain in force.
   
   

77/02. VARIATION OF CONDITION 3 OF PERMISSION NO. CHN/45/90 (TO ALLOW AN EXTENSION OF OPERATING HOURS FOR A TEMPORARY PERIOD ENDING ON 31 DECEMBER 2003) AT THE BANBURY COATING PLANT, HENNEF WAY, BANBURY

(Agenda Item 12)

The Committee considered a report (PN12) which outlined details of a proposal to extend the operating hours of the coating plant off Hennef Way, Banbury for a temporary period until the end of December 2003 to enable the applicant to use the Banbury plant as back up to serve the Birmingham Northern Relief Road construction project.

The Committee noted the tabled comments of the local member Councillor Sandra Mold who opposed the extension, particularly the Sunday hours.

Councillor Roy Mold advised that contrary to the views set out in the officers’ report, there would be disruption to residents and traffic congestion problems on Hennef Way would increase.

RESOLVED: (on a motion by Councillor Sibley seconded by Councillor MacKenzie and carried nem con) that:

1. the application for the variation of Condition 3 of Permission No. CHN.45/90 (to allow an extension of operating hours from 0400 hours to 1900 hours every day of the week up to the end of December 2003) at the Banbury Coating Plant, Hennef Way, Banbury, be approved, the new condition to read as follows:

" Except with the prior agreement of the local planning authority in writing and up to 31 December 2003 only, no operations authorised or required by this permission shall be carried out and plant shall not be operated, other than between 0400 and 1900 hours Monday to Saturday and between 0800 and 1700 hours on Sundays";

2. the following additional conditions be added:

"(i) that between the hours of 0400 and 0600 in the period up to 31 December 2003 only, no lorries shall enter or leave the site;

(ii) that should any justifiable complaints be received about the operating of the site within the hours hereby extended until 31 December 2003, ie. 0400 to 0600 hours Mondays to Friday: 0400 to 0600 hours and 1400 to 1900 hours on Saturdays and 0800 to 17.00 hours on Sundays, the site shall cease operation and the site operator shall submit for written approval by the local planning authority, details of measures to overcome those complaints. Site operations shall not recommence until such measures have been approved and implemented."; and

(iii) that no lorries shall enter or leave the site unless and until signs, in a location and with size and form of wording agreed by the County Planning Authority, have been erected on site indicating that the only agreed lorry route for the additional hours granted by this permission over that in permission CHN/45/90 is direct to the M40 via Hennef Way."

3. all other existing conditions on Permission No. CHN.45/90 to remain in force and existing condition 3 to be reinstated after 31 December 2003.
   
   

78/02. THE RIDGEWAY NATIONAL TRAIL – SURFACE IMPROVEMENT PROPOSALS

1. endorse the range of measures being proposed by The Ridgeway Management Group to improve and sustain the surface condition of the national trail in Oxfordshire;
2. press the Ridgeway Management Group for a tight and explicit timetable for assessment of the need and efficacy of Traffic Regulation Orders to prevent unacceptable surface damage; and
3. confirm that Traffic Regulation Orders will be made on specific sections of the route if there is strong and specific evidence that such orders will be appropriate and effective.

in the Chair

Date of signing 2003

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