150 homes and open space at Land At Hanwell Fields Dukes Meadow Drive, Banbury

“The application site is located north of Dukes Meadow Drive and extends to approximately 7.1 hectares of fallow agricultural land. It comprises the western extent of a larger parcel of undeveloped land to the north of Dukes Meadow Drive, opposite the Winter Gardens Way roundabout junction, and close to the Hanwell Fields school, shops and community centre.”

“The application site comprises Grades 2 and 3 agricultural land. It has remained fallow for a considerable period and has been used as an informal recreational resource. The Neithrop Fields Cutting SSSI is located within about 1km of the site. Site investigations have identified that the site could potentially contain Priority Grassland Habitat and also Oxfordshire Protected and Notable Species. 2.2.”

“The indicative plans demonstrate the site can accommodate the level of development suggested within the application and through careful design, the proposal would integrate well with the existing residential development. The development proposes 30% affordable housing and an acceptable mix. 10.4.”

“Taking all things into account, including most recent appeal decisions at the neighbouring Warwick Road (east) site, it is considered that the benefits of the scheme being a sustainable site, the Council’s current need for housing and the expected quick delivery of the site would overall outweigh the severe landscape harm.”

“The application submission and the submitted Landscape Impact Assessment has been assessed by the Council. This submitted LVIA fairly concludes that there would be significant landscape harm when viewed from some viewpoints, particularly from the north towards the south. 9.35.”

“Officers conclude that the scheme would result in severe landscape harm particularly when viewed from several viewpoints to the north and east of the development. Appropriately worded landscape conditions securing the strengthening and depth of planting to the site’s boundaries in line with the Landscape Strategy Plan are proposed which should minimise the harm caused to the wider landscape; though even with these conditions it is conceded that there would still be a…”

“Below is a summary of the consultation responses received at the time of writing this report. Responses are available to view in full on the Council’s website, via the online Planning Register. BANBURY TOWN COUNCIL: Object. Premature prior to the outcome of the local plan examination. Harmful impact to open countryside impacting on the landscape on the approach to Banbury. DRAYTON PARISH COUNCIL: Object.”

“OCC WASTE MANAGEMENT: No objections subject to s106 contributions. BBOWT: Object. Further information requested on several ecological impact points. CDC Drainage: No objections. BOBICB: No Objections subject to s106 contributions. THAMES VALLEY POLICE: No objections subject to s106 contributions. CDC LEGAL SERVICES RIGHTS OF WAY: Raised no comments. CDC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH: No objections subject to conditions. 7.16.”

“That, in line with the officer’s recommendation, authority be delegated to the Assistant Director for Planning and Development to grant permission for application 25/01545/OUT subject to:”