Community centre heat pumps at Hanwell Fields Community Centre, Banbury

“The application site is located in the Hanwell Fields expansion, approximately 2km north of Banbury town centre. The Hanwell Fields Community Centre lies north-west of the Rotary Way roundabout, adjacent to The Hanwell Arms public house and the car parking serving a number of local shops immediately northwest of the site. Hanwell Fields Community School lies to the south across the road/roundabout.”

“The applicant seeks planning permission for the installation of two external heat pump condenser units in the rear courtyard, and the insertion of two high level ventilation grilles to the front (northwest) elevation and six high level and three ground floor level ventilation grilles/mechanical plant and air intake louvres to the side (northeast) elevation. Hours of operation would be the same as those of the community centre: 09:00 – 22:00, seven (7) days per week.”

“The following planning history is considered relevant to the current proposal: 4.2. 95/01117/OUT Residential development, new link road, landscaping, ancillary development and new primary school site, (as amended by additional masterplan received 15/05/96 and link road plans received 27/03/97). Permitted 31 May 2000 4.3. 05/00809/REM Reserved Matters to Outline 95/01117/OUT: Mixed Use Local Centre comprising of up to 7 No.”

“25/01191/CDC Insertion of 3 new windows, enlargement of fire escape door opening and insertion of glazed door with sidelights, addition of rear escape gate in courtyard and rear escape steps with handrails and associated internal changes to increase capacity. Permitted 02 August 2025 5. PRE-APPLICATION DISCUSSIONS”

“Overall, the proposed scheme is not considered to result in detriment to the visual amenities in the locality or have a harmful impact on the character or appearance of the area and therefore accords with the policies set out above.”

“Conclusion 9.7. The proposed scheme would improve the sustainability of the building, reducing its environmental impact. The proposed development would be an acceptable addition to the existing building, would not be to the detriment of the established character and appearance of the area, and would not adversely affect residential amenities in the locality. PLANNING BALANCE AND CONCLUSION 10.1.”

“This application has been publicised by way of a site notice displayed near the site, and by letters sent to all properties immediately adjoining the application site that the Council has been able to identify from its records. The final date for comments is 09 December 2025. To date, no comments have been raised by third parties 7. RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION”

“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: no objections 7.3. CDC BUILDING CONTROL: no objections, commenting that the proposal is subject to the Building Regulations 7.4. CDC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH: no objections 8. RELEVANT PLANNING POLICY AND GUIDANCE”

“That, in line with the officer’s recommendation, permission be granted for application 25/02594/CDC subject to the conditions set out below (and any amendments to those conditions as deemed necessary).”

“Except where otherwise stipulated by conditions attached to this permission, the development shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the form and following approved plans and documents: the drawings numbered 06425-111 (Site Location Plan at a scale of 1:1250), 06425-112 (Block Plan), 06425-115, and 06425-116, and the submitted planning statement.”