Car wash access change at Land at 60-68 Broadway, Didcot

What was proposed

A change to the access arrangements already approved for a car wash, needed after negotiations over a highways agreement.

“The S73 application was brought to committee as the recommendation of officers to grant planning permission conflicts with the view of Didcot Town Council. Planning permission was granted last year at for the use of land for a car wash and the creation of a new access.”

“Following the granting of planning permission, the applicant had entered negotiations with Oxfordshire County Council in relation to a Section 278 agreement to secure the creation of the new access. This process has necessitated a change to the approved access.”

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Extra loss of parking spaces

A longer visibility splay meant two more on-street parking spaces would be lost, but officers found enough parking remained nearby.

“The approved scheme resulted in the loss of eight on-street parking spaces due to the requirement for a 36-metre-long visibility splay from the access looking westward, and loss of one space to the east. The proposal would increase the visibility splay to 47 metres to the west and would result in the loss of an additional two parking spaces.”

“Officers considered that there was sufficient remaining parking in the town centre including the remaining on-street parking along Broadway and spaces with Orchard Centre car park and Edinburgh Drive car park.”

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What officers recommended

Officers found no harmful impact on highway safety and recommended approval.

“The proposed changes would not result in a harmful impact to highway safety and as such the application was recommended for approval.”

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Who spoke

An objector and a supporter both spoke on the application.

What members debated

Members asked why the visibility splay had been increased and sympathised with residents over lost parking, but found no planning reason to object.

“Members asked why the Highway Authority had not objected to the access on the initial application and were advised that the access was considered safe and it was only once the technical engineers had become involved that it was deemed necessary to increase the visibility splay.”

“Members sympathised with residents who had expressed concerns over the loss of parking spaces but acknowledged that this was a minor variation and with no objection from the Highway Authority there was no planning reason to object to the application.”

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What was decided

The committee approved the application subject to the conditions listed.

“A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application was carried on being put to the vote.”

“RESOLVED: to approve planning application P25/S3037/S37 subject to the following conditions: Time Limit – Variation of Condition 2. Approved plans 3. New vehicular access 4. Contaminated land 5. Surface water drainage 6. Foul water drainage 7. Contaminated land – remediation strategy 8. Unsuspected contaminated land 9. Materials 10. Removal of temporary timber office structure 11. Car wash use only…”

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