31 affordable homes at Wytham Street, Oxford

What was proposed

The application proposed 31 affordable homes, public open space, a games area, children’s play area, access and landscaping.

“Proposal Erection of 31 affordable residential dwellings, with associated public open space, multi-use games area, childrens play area, access and landscaping (Amended Plans)”

“2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 This report considers a full planning application for the erection of 31 affordable residential dwellings with public open space, a multiuse games area (MUGA), children’s play area, access, and landscaping. The proposal seeks to deliver 31 homes, meaning the policy considerations include housing need, tenure mix, alignment with local housing strategy and a housing allocation with the Oxford Local Plan.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site includes a public recreation ground with a games area and playground, adjoining housing, a watercourse and a partly managed open space.

“4 COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL) 4.1 The proposal is liable for CIL of £420,508.64. 5 FINANCIAL ISSUES 5.1 The applicant’s intent is to deliver 100% affordable housing on the site as set out within the planning application. This level of provision is dependent on the successful securing of grant funding from Homes England to support scheme viability.”

“Site B consisting of a semi-managed area of open space containing a mix of trees and shrubs. The former access points were from Bertie Park via the existing footbridge and the former camping site to the south.”

Officer report

Planning history and changes

There was no materially relevant planning history, and the scheme was amended to address technical objections and add a replacement footbridge.

“8 RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY 8.1 There is no planning history on the site of material relevance to the development proposals. 9 RELEVANT PLANNING POLICY 9.1 The following planning policies are relevant to the application: Topic National Planning Policy Framework Local Plan 2026 Regulation 19 Draft Local Plan 2045 Design 96-108, 124- 130, 131-141 DH1 - High quality design and placemaking DH2 - Views and building heights DH7 - External servicing features and stores RE2 -…”

Officer report

What consultees said

Most technical consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while Thames Valley Police objected over crime, safety, noise, access and the MUGA.

“Considering all of the above issues, Thames Valley Police have concerns that this development is not appropriate in the location proposed. 2026 response to further clarification from the applicant – 10.47 Thames Valley Police maintain concerns that the MUGA will be problematic in terms of potential for crime and ASB, particularly in the evenings and at night.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two councillors spoke against the application, while the applicant spoke in favour.

What members debated

Members questioned police concerns, heat pumps, grant funding, alternative MUGA locations, open-space policy, the bridge, flood evacuation, emerging policies and surveillance.

“Oxford City Council, Town Hall, St Aldate’s Oxford OX1 1BX • Questions were raised to the objector about alternative nearby locations for a larger MUGA. The objector noted that there was a play area at Fox Crescent with a kick-about facility, but it was smaller than Bertie Place. • Concerns were raised regarding compliance with Policy G5.”

“Concerns were raised around the extent to which emerging policies, including reprovision policies such as G1, could be taken into account. The Planning Officer advised that the relevant draft policies were subject to significant unresolved objections and therefore could be afforded little weight at this stage, as they may change through the Local Plan examination process.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee agreed with the officer recommendation to approve the application, subject to conditions, changes, informatives and a legal agreement.

“On being proposed, seconded, and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application for the reasons set out in the report and subject to conditions including the additional points raised in discussions relating to informatives, changes to conditions 17 & 43 and a legal agreement to secure the provision of 22 units of social rent accommodation (11 one bedroom, one 2 bedroom and ten 3 bedroom).”

Minutes