The Lowlands Area Planning Sub-Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss several planning applications, a number of which have been recommended for refusal by the Head of Planning. The Sub-Committee will also receive updates on applications determined under delegated powers and progress on priority enforcement cases. They will also decide whether to undertake site visits.

Planning Applications

The Sub-Committee will be asked to consider the recommendations of the Head of Planning on three planning applications.

Land West Of The Nursery, 6 Oxford Road, Eynsham

The Sub-Committee will consider a recommendation to refuse an application for the erection of a self-build dwelling and garage on land west of The Nursery, 6 Oxford Road, Eynsham.

The planning officer, Clare Anscombe, reports that the site lies within the Eynsham Conservation Area and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Eynsham Abbey site. Several listed buildings are nearby, including St Leonard's Church and The Shrubbery.

Ms Anscombe notes that Historic England has raised concerns about the application on heritage grounds and the principle of development on the site, stating that there is insufficient information to meet the requirements of paragraph 207 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).¹ Ms Anscombe also notes that the Council's Conservation and Design Officer objects to the proposal, stating that it would harm the character, appearance and setting of listed buildings and the Eynsham conservation area.

The report notes that the Eynsham Parish Council supports the application.

The Sub-Committee previously deferred this application to conduct a site visit.

6 Marriotts Walk, Witney

The Sub-Committee will consider a recommendation to approve an application for the conversion of an existing unused unit at 6 Marriotts Walk, Witney, to create a micro brewery and taproom/cafe.

The planning officer, Clare Anscombe, reports that the proposed development includes a replacement frontage, provision of outdoor seating and extraction/ventilation/heating system.

Ms Anscombe notes that the Witney Town Council welcomes and supports this application, saying that it will bring a vacant unit into active use, contribute positively to the vitality of the area, enhance the local economy, and increase footfall in this part of the town.

Ms Anscombe's report also notes that the applicant, Professor Nicola Sibson, aims to help ex-services personnel who may be struggling to transition to civilian life, and that the proposals will employ ex-services personnel.

Windrush Inn, Burford Road, Witney

The Sub-Committee will consider a retrospective application for the erection of a wooden climbing frame at the Windrush Inn, Burford Road, Witney.

The planning officer, Ella Charles, reports that the Witney Town Council objects to this application, raising concerns about the impact on neighbouring residential amenity, particularly in terms of loss of privacy and noise.

Ms Charles notes that 149 responses have been received supporting this application, while 9 responses have been received objecting to it.

Applications Determined Under Delegated Powers

The Sub-Committee will be informed of applications determined under delegated powers, including:

• 24/02842/S73, Brize Norton Service Station, Brize Norton. Variation of conditions relating to car wash bays and car parking layout. Approved.
• 24/03261/FUL, Land Parcel North East Of Tar Farmhouse, Tar Road, Stanton Harcourt. Construction of a Battery Energy Storage System², associated infrastructure and landscaping. Section 106 agreement.³
• 25/00234/FUL, Land South Of Ramsden Akeman Street, Ramsden. Installation of a ground mounted solar PV, energy storage system together with associated infrastructure. Refused.
• 25/01163/FUL, 105 High Street, Witney. Change of use of ground floor from hairdressers to studio flat. Approved.
• 25/01447/FUL, Land North Of 7 St Kenelms Close, Minster Lovell. Erection of dwelling with detached garage and associated works. Refused.
• 25/01481/FUL, Building Known As Stone Barn Home Farm, Kelmscott. Proposed barn conversion into three bedroom dwelling (part retrospective). Approved.
• 25/01510/FUL, Land South West Of Main Road, Alvescot. Erection of two dwellings. Refused.
• 25/01550/S73, Unit 4-5 Windrush Park Road, Windrush Industrial Park. Variation of condition to allow a temporary yard. Approved.
• 25/01649/FUL, The Walled Garden, Wilcote, Chipping Norton. Demolition of existing buildings, and the erection of replacement garden office building, polytunnel and activities barn. Approved.
• 25/01767/FUL, Land North East Of Hanborough Road, Eynsham. Installation of electric vehicle charging spaces and associated works. Refused.
• 25/01772/S73, 11 Donnington Close Witney. Variation of condition to allow the front elevation to be constructed re-using bricks from demolition works. Approved.

Progress on Enforcement Cases

The Sub-Committee will receive an update on progress in respect of priority enforcement investigations.

Section A

This section of the report concerns cases where the requirements of a formal notice have not been met within the compliance period.

• Park Farm, Standlake Road, Northmoor. Development of 15 dwellings where open space was fenced off and not landscaped as part of the approved scheme. The landscaping has now been carried out and the fencing removed.
• Entrance to New Yatt Business Centre. Unauthorised change of use of land from agriculture to builders yard/storage.
• Reynolds Farm, Cassington (also known as Dove House). Unauthorised works and change of use of outbuildings to residential use.
• Weald Manor Farm, Bampton. Works not in accordance with approved plans, unauthorised outbuilding and extension of curtilage, and unauthorised conversion and change of use of barn to a dwelling.
• Land at Thorney Leys. Non-compliance with the approved landscaping scheme.
• Land South of Main Road, Curbridge. Unauthorised change of use of land from agriculture to storage of builders/waste materials and unauthorised hard standings.

Section B

This section of the report concerns cases where a notice has been served but the compliance date has not yet passed.

• DC Automotive Home Farm, Mount Skippett, Ramsden. Unauthorised material change of use to sale of second hand cars and vehicle servicing.
• Clearwater, Buckland Road, Bampton. Unauthorised siting of a mobile unit for residential use.
• Little Willow, Eynsham. Alleged unauthorised hardstanding and extension of the site onto adjoining land, and breach of condition relating to numbers of residential units on site.
• Croft Pool, Land at Pickfords Pool, Croft Lane, Standlake. Alleged unauthorised construction of dwelling and associated track.
• 5 Thorpes Field, Alvescot. Alleged breach of conditions and material change of use.
• Lindsey Farm, High Cogges. Alleged material change of use for storage of vehicles and other non-agricultural items.

Section C

This section of the report concerns cases which are high priority but where the expediency of enforcement action has yet to be considered.

• The Paddocks, The Weald, Bampton. Breaches of conditions attached to planning permissions for the individual plots on the gypsy site, change of use of a number of plots on the land and extension to the caravan site.
• Land at Crawley Inn, Crawley. Unauthorised residential caravans.
• Land Between 57 And 61 West End, Witney. Untidy land.
• Land adj Burleigh Lodge, Cassington Road, Bladon. Laying of hardstanding for use as car park and use of woodland for commercial forest school.
• West End House, 26a West End, Witney. Listed building in extreme neglect.
• 28 Flexneys Paddock, Stanton Harcourt. Erection of alleged unauthorised outbuilding.

Site Visits

The Sub-Committee will be asked to agree to any site visits outlined by officers.