Here is a summary of the Planning Committee meeting scheduled for 15 October 2025. The committee will be considering planning applications for a change of use of a property to a children's home, and for extensions to a house. They will also review a report on recent appeal decisions.

Silver Copse, Oxford Road, Frilford Heath

The committee will be considering a planning application for Silver Copse, Oxford Road, Frilford Heath. The applicant, By Degrees Limited, is seeking permission to change the use of the six-bedroom single dwelling from a Class C3 dwelling to a Class C2 Ofsted registered children's home for up to four looked after children. The application includes a manager's flat located over the garage.

A previous application for the same change of use was withdrawn after officers indicated it would be refused due to the impact on neighbours and increased traffic. A lawful development proposal was also refused, and is currently under appeal. According to the report pack, the use of the site as a children's home was operational from July 2024 to May 2025.

Frilford Parish Meeting has objected to the application, raising concerns about traffic and road safety, accessibility, impact on the character of the lane, noise disturbance, and security and safety. 25 representations were received objecting to the proposals, with concerns raised about traffic and road safety, the suitability of the location, changes to the character of the area, residential amenity, and security and safety.

The report pack notes that the council's Waste Management Officer has requested clarification on the likely amount of domestic and commercial waste, as this will require separate waste collection processes. The council's Environmental Protection Team and the Oxfordshire County Council Highways Liaison Officer have raised no objections.

The report pack states that the key considerations are whether the change of use would amount to sustainable development, whether it would result in a more intense use of the site, and whether it would introduce a greater impact than the existing use as a family dwelling.

The report pack references a ministerial statement on 'Planning for Accommodation for Looked After Children' which says that:

The planning system should not be a barrier to providing homes for the most vulnerable children in society… These need to be the right homes, in the right places with access to good schools and community support. Local planning authorities should give due weight to and be supportive of applications, where appropriate, for all types of accommodation for looked after children in their area that reflect local needs.

The report pack also references the 'Commissioning Strategy for Children We Care For Placements 2020-2025' from Oxfordshire County Council, which highlights an overall lack of sufficiency in the area.

The report pack notes that officers have contacted a number of partners and agencies to establish whether any safeguarding issues were identified while Silver Copse was operating as a children's home, and that no safeguarding issues were identified.

The report pack states that the planning officer is recommending that planning permission is granted, subject to conditions.

Cope Close, Oxford

The committee will also be considering a planning application for 37 Cope Close, Oxford. The applicant, Oxford Shared Living Ltd, is seeking permission for two-storey and single-storey side and rear extensions, with associated alterations, and the installation of an air source heat pump (ASHP) and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.

Botley and North Hinksey Parish Council has objected to the proposal, stating that it is an overdevelopment of the plot, contrary to the Neighbourhood Plan, visually dominates the appearance of the existing dwelling, and has insufficient amenity space and parking.

The report pack notes that the Oxfordshire County Council Highways Liaison Officer and the council's Environmental Protection Team have raised no objections.

The report pack states that the relevant planning considerations are design and character, amenity of future occupants, neighbouring residential amenity, access and parking, and protected species.

The report pack highlights that the Botley and North Hinksey Neighbourhood Development Plan identifies 37 Cope Close as being located within the character area of the Elms Rise Estate. The North Hinksey Parish Character Assessment highlights that the Elm Rise Estate generally sees gaps maintained between semi-detached buildings, providing a low-density character to the area.

The report pack states that the planning officer is recommending that planning permission is granted, subject to conditions.

Appeals Information

The committee will receive the appeals information report from the head of planning. The report pack lists appeal decisions that were made in July, August and September 2025, and appeals started in September 2025.