The Cherwell District Council Planning Committee met on Thursday to discuss planning applications and an appeals progress report. The committee approved the officer recommendations for an industrial development at Hornton Grounds Quarry and advertisement consent for 23-24 Castle Quay, and they noted the appeals progress report.

Hornton Grounds Quarry Development

The committee approved outline planning permission for the construction of eight light industrial units at Hornton Grounds Quarry, Street from Stratford Road to Hornton Grounds Quarry, Hornton, OX15 6HH, subject to conditions. The application, submitted by FINSCO Property Company Ltd, includes the demolition of existing buildings and associated works, with access as the only matter not reserved.

The development proposes a cumulative floor area of up to 1,572sqm across the eight units, with 36 car parking spaces and 30 bicycle spaces. The buildings would have an eaves height of 8 metres and a maximum ridge height of 9.5 metres, matching those on the adjacent industrial development.

The committee noted that Shenington with Alkerton Parish Council supported the application.

The committee considered the following issues in their deliberations:

• Principle of development: The committee noted that the site is already in use for B class uses¹ and the proposal would not significantly intensify the use of the site, according to Policy SLE1 of the Local Plan. The committee also noted that the current Draft Local Plan 2042 supports employment development on unallocated sites in open countryside, where it can be demonstrated that development meets local business and community needs, the development would not have an unacceptable impact on local roads and where it can be demonstrated that the proposal will benefit the local economy and will not undermine the delivery of strategic industrial locations.
• Design and character: The committee considered the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) submitted by the applicant, which stated that the proposed development could be integrated into the location without long term adverse impacts on the receiving landscape character and visual environment. The committee agreed that the proposal would maintain landscaped boundaries and not result in the loss of any vegetation, with existing boundary planting to be enhanced overall within the site.
• Ecology: The committee considered the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, which concluded that all hedgerows and trees on the boundaries of the site will be retained and that any planting that is to occur should use a high proportion of native or wildlife attracting ornamental species. The committee agreed with the Council's Ecology Officer that the site is within an area of existing hardstanding and bare ground, and as such, there is no Biodiversity Net Gain requirement.
• Flooding: The committee considered the Flood Risk Assessment and agreed with the Lead Local Flood Authority that subject to conditions around Surface Water Drainage and the submission of installed Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)² records prior to occupation, the proposed development would not represent an unacceptable flood risk.
• Residential amenity: The committee agreed that given the distance of Hornton Grounds Farm from the application site and the fact that the industrial activities proposed would occur within enclosed spaces, it is not anticipated that the proposed development would result in unacceptable harm to the living conditions of any surrounding residential receptors.
• Transport and highways: The committee agreed with Oxfordshire County Council that the amount of vehicle movements would be commensurate with the existing use that it would replace, with no material intensification. The committee also agreed that the access arrangements to the site are acceptable.

The conditions attached to the permission include:

• A schedule of materials and finishes to be used in the external walls and roofs of the buildings
• All plant, machinery and equipment to be used by reason of the granting of this permission shall be so installed, maintained and operated so as to ensure that the rating noise level from the equipment shall be at least 5dBA below the pre-existing background noise level
• The development hereby permitted shall be constructed to at least a BREEAM 'Very Good' standard³
• A landscaping scheme
• A method statement for enhancing the biodiversity of the site, including provision for bird, bat, and bee bricks, as well as native species planting
• A detailed surface water drainage scheme

Castle Quay Signage

The committee approved advertisement consent for the erection of one internally illuminated and one non-illuminated replacement fascia sign at 23-24 Castle Quay, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 5UE, submitted by Miss Marina Alleyne. The application seeks like for like replacements to reflect the changing in branding from WHSmith to TGJones.

The committee considered the following issues in their deliberations:

• Amenity: The committee agreed that the proposed signage would be in the same location and similar to what already exists. The committee also agreed that the font of the lettering would change but would not be significantly different to the existing and is therefore acceptable.
• Public Safety: The committee agreed with Oxfordshire County Council that the proposed advertisements are not considered to present any risk to public safety or highway safety with regards to its scale and positioning.

The conditions attached to the consent include:

• This consent to display advertisements shall expire at the end of 5 years
• The development shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the application form, the site location plan, and the drawing pack ref. Banbury – 1328, V03-27-06-25
• No advertisement is to be displayed without the permission of the owner of the site or any other person with an interest in the site entitled to grant permission
• No advertisement shall be sited or displayed so as to endanger persons using any highway, railway, waterway, dock, harbour or aerodrome (civil or military); obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any traffic sign, railway signal or aid to navigation by water or air; or hinder the operation of any device used for the purpose of security or surveillance or for measuring the speed of any vehicle
• Any advertisement displayed, and any site used for the display of advertisements, shall be maintained in a condition that does not impair the visual amenity of the site
• Any structure or hoarding erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying advertisements shall be maintained in a condition that does not endanger the public
• Where an advertisement is required under the Advertisement Regulations to be removed, the site shall be left in a condition that does not endanger the public or impair visual amenity

Appeals Progress Report

The committee noted the Appeals Progress Report, which provided an update on planning appeals, including new appeals, status reports on those in progress, and determined appeals. The report summarised the main issues of each appeal and, where determined, the decision.