Two air source heat pumps at Summertown House, 369 Banbury Road, Oxford

What was proposed

The application proposed two air source heat pumps, a compound, new doors, altered windows, and replacement boundary railings and gate.

“Proposal Demolition of existing boundary railings and access gate, installation of 2 no. air source heat pumps to the North and South elevations. Alterations to fenestration, formation of new boundary railings and access gate. (additional information).”

“EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1. This report considers the demolition of the existing boundary railings and access gate, the installation of 2 no. air source heat pumps (referred to as ASHP’s from this point onwards) to the north and south elevations. It also considers…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contains student accommodation, a Grade II listed house, a workshop, a car park and neighbouring residential properties.

“The application site is located in Summertown, to the north of Oxford city centre. The site is student accommodation for Oxford University, comprising of North, East, and West Blocks. The residential units are accommodated over three, five, and three storeys, respectively. The application site lies to the north of Summertown on the northern side of Apsley Road with the largest (East) block of accommodation fronting onto Banbury Road.”

“The heritage asset in question is a Grade II listed building (list entry: 1369318), originally constructed in the 19 th century. Over time, additions were made, notably in the 1960s, when the extensive accommodation blocks surrounded the original structure.”

Officer report

Relevant planning history

A separate application for internal alterations and services at the site was approved on 2 October 2025.

“The table below sets out the relevant planning history for the application site:”

“25/01919/LBC - Internal alterations to include demolition of existing partition wall, replacement of existing suspended ceiling. Formation of a new partition wall. Alterations to flooring, kitchen and upgrades to mechanical and electrical services.. PER 2nd October 2025.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Consultees and residents supported sustainability but objected over potential noise, appearance, consultation, amenity, wildlife, contamination and future expansion.

“Statutory and non-statutory consultees Oxford Civic Society (comments on original consultation) 9.5. Our primary concern with this application is the potential noise from the very large heat pumps to be located close to neighbouring gardens and the high, unsightly proposed screening.”

“We support the use of ASHP’s as part of decarbonisation/sustainability but would propose that where the ASHP is located in a residential community they be located away from street view, not sited adjacent to residential accommodation and amenity areas (e.g. gardens), low noise model, sited within an acoustic enclosure, in order to minimise the effect on the immediate neighbourhood. Public Representations Original Consultation 9.7.”

Officer report

Noise and other concerns

Objections challenged the noise evidence and raised concerns about gardens, health, vibration, lighting, traffic, asbestos and insufficient information.

“- Unacceptable noise impacts. - Noise assessment inadequate and misleading, disingenuous. - Errors with assessment. - Excludes weekend measurements. - Ignores outdoor spaces/rear gardens. - Inadequate mitigation. - Details missed in noise assessment / methodology incorrect. - Impact on overall amenity, health impact, harm to quality of life. - Not compliant with local or national planning policies. - Vibration and humming noise.”

“- Welcome sustainability initiatives. - Noise inconsistency with assessment. - Noise assessment contradicts our own noise assessments. - Not stated specifications of heat pumps. - Noise pollution. - Health and wellbeing concerns. - Asbestos concern. - Suitable alternatives or better locations which would achieve decarbonisation. - Lack of meaningful consultation. - Discrepancy in number of proposed units. - Insufficient information.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two speakers spoke against the application and two speakers spoke in favour.

Members’ debate

Members questioned the noise condition, background measurements, mitigation, a possible decibel limit and differing noise assessments.

“The Committee asked questions about the details of the application which were responded to by officers and the applicant. The Committee’s discussions included, but were not limited to: • Questions were asked about the specifics of condition 4, particularly how and when background noise levels were measured and the steps for mitigating noise if necessary.”

“However, the Senior Planning Officer was of the view that these had been considered by Environmental Health Officers who were of the view that the mitigation measures and assessments secured by condition would prevent harm. The condition required establishing the background noise level prior to installation, with no allowance for noise to exceed the background noise level once installation was in place, when measured from the nearest noise sensitive premises.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee agreed with the officer recommendation to approve the application, subject to amended wording for condition 4.

“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 and subject to the amended wording of condition 4.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted with the required conditions, amended noise-condition wording and delegated authority to finalise 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 (subject to the amended wording of condition 4 as agreed at Committee) of this report and grant planning permission 2.”

Minutes