The Planning Committee approved an application to build 5 houses on land at 25 Orchard Way in Harwell after deferring the application from their previous meeting to allow for a site visit. The committee also approved the minutes of their previous meeting.

Application P23/V2385/RM - Land at 25 Orchard Way, Harwell

The committee considered a reserved matters application for the development of five houses on land at 25 Orchard Way, Harwell. The application had been deferred from the meeting on 8 May 2024 to allow the committee to carry out a site visit.

Councillor Hayleigh Gascoigne, who represents Harwell on the Vale of White Horse District Council, called in the application in her capacity as a local ward member, saying at the previous meeting:

I'm particularly concerned about the height, bulk, and massing of these properties, in relation to the existing street scene.

She went on to say:

The site abuts the recreation ground. And I'm very concerned about the impact that, that development would have on the enjoyment of the users of that recreation ground.

At the previous meeting the developer, Sean Bates, said:

What we've attempted to do is to maintain a single-story element to the front of the site. So, whilst the ridge height of the bungalow is higher, the perception of a single-story element to the front of the site is maintained.

Paul Luper, speaking on behalf of Harwell Parish Council at both meetings, raised concerns about the development. At the May meeting, he told the committee:

We don't believe that the design of plots one to four are in keeping with the surrounding area, given their height, bulk, and design.

He also said:

The proposed development represents a cramped overdevelopment of the application site.

At this meeting, several members of the committee expressed concern about construction traffic. In response, the Planning Officer proposed adding conditions to the planning permission. The committee resolved to approve the application with conditions.

Minutes of the previous meeting

Councillor Scott Houghton noted that the minutes of the meeting of 8 May 2024 incorrectly stated that one of the applications considered by the committee was accessed via Chawley Lane. The minutes were corrected to say Cumnor Hill.