Basement flats amalgamation at 10 Park Town, Oxford

What was proposed

The application would combine two basement flats, extend the property, alter lightwells, remove existing structures, and change windows, landscaping, storage and boundaries.

“Proposal Amalgamation and extension of two basement flats to form one flat. Enlargement of front and rear lightwells. Demolition of ground floor rear conservatory and ground floor side lean-to. Erection of a two storey rear side extension. Erection of a single storey rear extension. Alterations to fenestration. Alterations to driveway and associated landscaping and boundary treatments. Provision of bin and cycle storage. (Amended description) (Amended plans)”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The house is a grade II listed villa in Park Town and the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area, with surviving historic fabric and planform.

“This application is not subject to a legal agreement. 4. COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL) 4.1. The proposal is not liable for CIL. 5. SITE AND SURROUNDINGS 5.1. The application site is located to the east of Banbury Road, within the planned estate of Park Town and the North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation…”

“Area (NOVSCA). Park Town, which was designed by Samuel Lipscombe Seckham, dates from 1853 and comprises four groups of houses, all of which are grade II listed, sited around three ornamental pleasure grounds which are a grade II registered park and garden. The grounds are landscaped with trees and flowering shrubs and are used as communal gardens for the residents of Park Town. 5.2.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A Park Town Trust representative and another speaker spoke against the application; three speakers spoke in favour.

What members discussed

Members questioned the loss of one dwelling and the enlarged lightwells; officers explained the heritage harm would be low and less than substantial.

“The Committee asked questions about the details of the application which were responded to by the officers. The Committee’s discussions included, but were not limited to: • Justification for the loss of one dwelling. • Concerns about enlarging lightwells were addressed by officers, who clarified this would result in only a low level of less than substantial harm to the basements character and would not detract from the buildings overall architectural significance.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Following a proposal and seconder, the committee voted to approve the application in accordance with the officer recommendation.

“On being proposed, seconded, and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application for the reasons listed on the report.”

Minutes

The final decision

The committee granted planning permission for the development subject to the report’s conditions and delegated authority to finalise those conditions.

“The Oxford City Planning Committee resolved to:”

“Oxford City Council, Town Hall, St Aldate’s Oxford OX1 1BX 1. Approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the required planning conditions set out in section 12 of this report and grant planning permission. 2.”

Minutes