Meeting documents

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To Members of the Planning & Regulation Committee

Notice of Meeting

Chris Impey
Assistant Chief Executive

March 2003

Membership

Chairman – Councillor Mrs C. Fulljames

Councillors:

The agenda follows. Decisions taken at the meeting will become effective at the end of the working day on 15 April 2003 unless called in by that date for review by the appropriate Scrutiny Committee.

AGENDA

Addenda

1. Apologies for Absence and Temporary Appointments
   
   
2. Declarations of Interest
   
   
3. Minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2003 (PN3) and to receive for information any matters arising therefrom.

4. Petitions and Public Address
   
   see Addenda
   
   
5. County Council Planning Applications
   
   See also Addenda
   

Report by the Assistant Director of Environmental Services (Land Use Planning) (PN5)

The following current applications for County Council development, made under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country planning General regulations 1992, are detailed in the Schedules appended to the report:-

Application No. S.03/03 (detailed). Proposed construction of two new classrooms, cloakroom, stores, resource area, teaching/resource area, corridor and WC facilities, Ladygrove Park Primary School, Avon Way, Didcot, Oxon OX11 7GB.

Application No. W.04/02 (detailed). Construction of a 6.1m wide road, 400m long linking Welch Way and Burford Road/Mill Street, Witney including footways and a cycleway, provision of access to three adjacent areas of land for redevelopment which include housing, recreational, community and employment uses (not part of this planning application), closure of eastern end of Dark Lane to vehicular traffic, traffic light controlled junctions, street lighting and landscaping, corridor of land between Welch Way and junction of Dark Lane with Burford Road/Mill Street, Witney, Oxon.

The Committee is RECOMMENDED that subject to consideration of any further representations received by the date of the meeting, the applications be determined as recommended in the schedules appended to this report, subject to the detailed wording of the recommended conditions being agreed by the Assistant Director (Land Use).

6. Construction of Nine -Hole Golf Course Using Already Deposited Material at Waterstock Golf Course, Planning Application P02/N0837/CM
   
   See also Addenda

Report by Assistant Director of Environmental Services (Land Use Planning) (PN6).

1. it is contrary to Structure Plan waste disposal policies WD4 and WD5;
2. it is inappropriate development in the Oxford Green Belt contrary to Structure Plan policy G4 Minerals and Waste Local Plan policy W7 g) and South Oxfordshire Local Plan policy GB3;
3. it would unacceptably harm local landscape character and the area of open countryside contrary to Structure Plan policies EN4 and G5, Minerals and Waste Local Plan policy W7 h) and South Oxfordshire Local Plan policies G1, C1, C3, C6 and R5,
4. it does not demonstrate that there would be adequate water resources contrary to Structure Plan policy EN13;
5. it would be an unacceptable expansion of an existing facility without redressing the adverse environmental effects caused by light pollution from the driving range lights contrary to South Oxfordshire Local Plan policy G7;
6. it conflicts with the general strategy to protect the environment, character and natural resources of the County and to resist development which would damage the environment contrary to Structure Plan policies G1, G2 and EN2;

    

   ADDENDA

   Note: As this is the start of the Council year Items 1 and 2 on the Agenda should have related to the Election of Chairman and Deputy Chairman. The numbering for the other items will now change as appropriate (original numbers are in brackets).

   1. Election to Chair for the current Council year.

   2. Election to Deputy Chair for the current Council year.

   6(4). Petitions and Public Address

   Roger T Bell South Oxfordshire District Councillor (Wheatley) Speaking in a personal capacity Mr Michael Tyce Waterstock Parish Meeting Fraser Osment Landscaping Design Partnership (on behalf of the Applicants) County Councillor Anne Purse

   ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Item 8(6). Waterstock Golf Course ) ) ) ) ) ) )

   7(5). County Council Planning Applications

   Further consultation responses

   Application No S.03/03 (Ladygrove Park Primary School) South Oxfordshire District Council – no objection. RECOMMENDATION As main report.

     8(6). Construction of Nine-Hole Golf Course Using Already Deposited Material at Waterstock Golf Course, Planning Application P02/N0837/CM

   Further Representations Received

   South Oxfordshire District Council (Planning)

   Object. As with previous application, no objection in principle to 9 holes. Over-riding concern is to ensure original philosophy of 18 holes followed and minimum change to landscape. This is consistent with approach to be taken in Green Belt and need to respect Great Landscape Value.

   In considering impact on landscape, acknowledge number of changes to original landscape:

   • demarcation bund appears to be immune from enforcement action
   • irrigation lake (in some form)
   • need to provide bund to east of driving range following inspector’s decision on safety netting.

   However, remains case that satisfactory assimilation of vast amount of material bound to impact further on landscape character. In visual terms proposals do not adequately respect character of original landscape, in contrast to 18-hole approach. Despite assertions in application materials will not improve drainage of soils and more likely to impede not encourage growth rates of trees. Whilst landscape may eventually succumb to some assimilation with tree planting, degree of landscape change not desirable. Despite Hinksey Heights decision justifiably opposed on landscape grounds and proposals based on materials not specifically for this purpose.

   Objection to earlier application (based on similar plans), because contrary to general, green belt, countryside, environmental and waste disposal policies.

   Enforcement notices requiring removal of material remain valid, despite challenges and matter for Oxfordshire County Council to resolve. Would not wish to comment in any way that prejudices this issue.

   On question of driving range lighting plans, do not deal satisfactorily with concerns, which were included in previous reason for refusal. Recent informal plans to District Council, following discussions to assess whether landscape proposals could mitigate glare to nearby properties, show driving range bunding extending around northern boundary and in sketch form scope for substantial planting belt. Plans appear to provide potential and hopeful of further discussion. However, number of details to be resolved, including type of material to be used to enable tree planting to take hold very quickly.

   May consider that development of these plans could affect nature of current proposals. Sure that Oxfordshire County Council would not wish to see more material imported to site without good reason. Timescale for consideration unfortunate. Would wish to consider comments of local residents concerned about impact of lit driving range.

   Ordinarily would not wish to encourage formation of such landscape features in Great Landscape Value Area and where potential to harm green belt. However, having regard to particular problems of lit driving range would give due weight to benefits of such proposals if included in current application. Will continue to deal with matter separately. Applicants aware that considering how to resolve matters and prefer to do by agreement. Given current position, comments are objection to grant of planning permission.

   English Heritage

   Work undertaken adversely affects setting of mill and conservation area. Important vistas and wider views into and around mill damaged. Proposals do not satisfactorily resolve. Mill and riverside setting formed integral part of mature informal countryside nature of area. Proposals show manicured and municipal landscape treatment severely altering topography, detrimental to setting and overall character of this part of Waterstock Conservation Area.

   Works already undertaken appear to compromise possible site archaeology and suggest advice of County Archaeological Officer is sought. Local Planning Authority Conservation and Landscape Officers should also be consulted.

   Support Authorities in seeking to significantly resolve impact of proposals and those already taken place to benefit setting of the mill and conservation area.

   South Oxfordshire District Councillor John Beech (Wheatley Ward)

   Councillor Beech had originally submitted a request to speak but was unable to do so. His letter is attached.

   Wyatt Bros. (Oxford) Ltd.

   Ron Wyatt has written enclosing a letter from Dr R Cummings of SERCO. Both letters are attached. (download as .doc file)

   
   
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