NORTH HINKSEY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE, HELD ON THURSDAY 14th DECEMBER 2006, AT 7.00pm, IN THE SEACOURT HALL, BOTLEY.

Present: Councillors: P. C. Stevens (Chairman), I. Battersby, E. Batts, Mrs. A. Dykes, G. A. Griffiths,

and G. P. Parkhurst.

Councillor P. R. Massey joined the meeting at 7.30pm.

Others Present: 2 members of the public for planning application NHI/19842 - 6 Montagu Road,

Botley and A. J. Stone (Parish Clerk).

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M. Baker and Mrs. J. C. Laver.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

NHI/19852: Demolition of existing garage and rear extension. Conversion of existing house into 2

x 2 bedroom flats. Erection of a rear extension to incorporate a 2 bedroom flat and studio:

100 West Way, Botley.

Councillor Stevens declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the application as a near

neighbour.

3. MINUTES

The minutes of the Planning Committee held on 23rd November 2006, were agreed as an accurate

record.

4. PLANNING MATTERS

a). Applications for Consideration

North Hinksey Parish

New Plans

NHI/524/63 Erection of non-illuminated signage: Blake Lapthorn Linnell, East Wing,

Seacourt Tower, West Way, Botley.

No objections

NHI/1070/25 Increase roof height of existing storage room to form flue tank: Oxford

Brookes University, Harcourt Hill, Oxford.

No objections

NHI/11015/6-A Display of new signage: Lloyds TSB Bank, 19 The Square, West Way,

Botley.

No objections

NHI/19707/1 Demolish existing single storey rear extension and garage. Erection of single

storey rear extension and two storey side extension with extended gable roof

and rear box dormer to new loft bedroom. Alterations to access to provide for

3 cars: 84 North Hinksey Lane, Oxford.

Councillors were not opposed to the planning application, but asked that

the V.W.H.D.C’s Building Control Section specified that:

i). the kerb fronting the property must not be dropped any further than

currently allowed, to avoid the loss of on-street parking spaces.

ii). the 3 windows in the rear of the loft appeared to be excessive resulting

in a development which was out of character with other properties in

the local area.

NHI/19826 Conversion of loft to form bedroom with dormer window and rooflights:

72 Westminster Way, North Hinksey

No objections

NHI/19842 Erection of side and rear extension. 6 Montagu Road, Botley.

The residents of 4 Montagu Road explained that they were not objecting to the

kitchen extension but had major concerns about the height of the garage

extension. They had been in negotiations with their neighbour and have

indicated what would be an acceptable (reduced) height of the garage

extension by 1-2 foot to accommodate the fact that there is a 6 foot drop

between the respective properties.

Councillors UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to OPPOSE the application (as

amended) for the following reasons:

i). the height of the planned garage is unacceptable to the neighbour as a

result of difference in the lie of the land between both properties.

ii). the proposed development as it stands will reduce the light to 4

Montagu Road.

NHI/19852 Demolition of existing garage and rear extension. Conversion of existing house into 2 x 2 bedroom flats. Erection of a rear extension to incorporate

a 2 bedroom flat and studio: 100 West Way. Botley.

Councillor P. C. Stevens, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this application left the room and took no further part in the consideration of this application.

Councillors UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to OPPOSE the application for the following reasons:

i). the plans/papers forwarded for consideration did not include a

statement to indicate how the developer was planning to address the

shortfall in on-site parking spaces, in the knowledge that there would

be insufficient on-street parking available in close proximity of the

development near the property. The 4 spaces provided departed from

the maximum parking standards in the VWHDC’s supplementary

planning guidance.

ii). the proposed development made no provision for cycle parking

facilities.

NHI/19864-A Proposed fasica signs and information panels: 25 Botley Works, North

Hinksey.

No objections

b). Decision Notices

North Hinksey Parish

NHI/524/62 Proposed signage: Ground Floor, West Wing, Seacourt Tower, Botley.

Permitted subject to eight specified conditions.

NHI/19792 Demolition of existing single storey, flat roofed extension. Erection of a single storey, pitched extension: 3 Chestnut Road, Botley.

Permitted

NHI/19799 Change of use from accommodation to office and storage space:

APOGEE Ltd., 9A The Square, West Way, Botley.

Permitted

NHI/19814 Demolition of rear ground floor store. Proposed ground floor extension and

pitched roof over existing garage: 18 Eynsham Road, Botley.

Permitted

NHI/19823 Proposed insertion of a window at the side of the property: Harcourt Dene, Yarnells Hill, North Hinksey.

Permitted

c). Notices of Appeal

There were no notices of appeal.

d). Appeal Decisions

There were no appeal decisions.

5. OTHER PLANNING ISSUES

Councillors NOTED that the following planning application was considered by the V.W.H.D.C’s

Planning and Development Committee at its meeting held on 27th November 2006: -

a). NHI/19742 Demolition of existing two storey house. Erection of a three-storey building

comprising of 9 two-bedroom flats: 29 West Way, Botley.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor P. Stevens attended the

meeting and gave a brief report of events including the fact that Councillor T.

Quinlan, as Chairman of the Planning and Development Committee used his

casting vote to approve the application against the wishes of the Parish Council.

Councillors NOTED that District (and Parish) Councillor Mrs. B. A. Newport

voted against the application and seconded an unsuccessful resolution to get

an independent survey undertaken on the parking and traffic situation.

Councillors AGREED that a letter should be sent by the Chairman of the Parish

Council and Chairman of the Planning Committee to the Oxford Mail indicating

the Council’s amazement at the approval of this application.

Councillors NOTED that the following planning application would be considered by the

V.W.H.D.C’s Planning and Development Committee at its meeting held on 18th December 2006: -

b). NHI/19823 Demolition of existing two storey dwelling and garage. Erection of 6 x 2

bedroom flats, 2 x 1 bedroom flats and 1 studio flat together with 13 parking

spaces: 7 Eynsham Road, Botley.

6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor P. Stevens explained that since setting the

agenda for this meeting, the Parish Council had received a number of further planning applications

that required a response to the V.W.H.D.C. before the next Planning Committee on 11th January

2007.  The V.W.H.D.C. would not grant time extensions as they were unable to alter the date of

their meeting.

Councillors UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that Councillors Stevens, Griffiths Massey and Parkhurst should consider the planning applications.

7. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS

11th January 2007 Allotments Sub-Committee (7.00pm)

11th January 2007 Planning Committee (7.30pm)

18th January 2007 Grants Working Group (7.00pm)

18th January 2007 Highways Sub-Committee (7.30pm)

18th January 2007 F & GP Sub-Committee (8.00pm)

25th January 2007 Playing Fields Sub-Committee (7.30pm)

25th January 2007 Council (8.00pm)

The meeting finished at 7.58pm