Mental health centre at Restore, Sandringham Road, Didcot

A permanent mental health centre

The charity Restore sought permission for a permanent building to replace its temporary cabin, on land owned by Didcot Town Council, which it leases.

“The application was brought to committee as the officer’s recommendation for approval conflicted with the view of Didcot Town Council. The application site consisted of part of Fleet Meadow Community Centre car park and an adjacent part of Fleet Meadow allotment. The applicant was the mental health charity, Restore, who were currently working out of a port-a-cabin style building based within the Fleet Meadow Community Centre car park.”

“The application was for the erection of a permanent single-storey building, to be constructed on the land adjacent to the car park. The design and appearance of the proposed building, and the associated reconfiguration of the site, would be in keeping with the area and would be of sufficient high quality that it would make a positive contribution.”

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No harm to neighbours or highways

Officers found the new building would improve the street scene, cause no harm to neighbours or highway safety, and said technical issues like drainage had been resolved.

“The development of the site would remove the temporary port-a-cabin structure from the car park and improve the street scene. The development was not considered to be harmful to the amenities of any neighbouring dwellings or pose a risk for highway safety.”

“Technical matters such as drainage, ecology and sustainability had been subject to specialist consultation and all issues arising had been addressed either through submission of additional information or by the recommended conditions.”

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Officers recommended approval

Officers concluded the development complied with national and local policy and recommended approval.

“The development was compliant with national and local development plan policies and was therefore recommended for approval.”

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Two supporters spoke

Two supporters spoke in favour of the application.

Members questioned allotment land

Members asked about biodiversity net gain, the loss of allotment land, and whether the town council had been consulted, before acknowledging the charity's benefits.

“Members asked whether 10 per cent Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) could be achieved on site and were informed that the applicant had consulted with the council’s ecology officer and this had resulted in an acceptable BNG metric with a 10 per cent net gain being achievable.”

“Members queried the letter to the Secretary of State that had been sent by Didcot Town Council in 2019 regarding the disposal of part of the allotment land to allow space for a building to be used by a local charity. The committee were informed that there was no timescale on the approval granted by the Secretary of State, nor had the approval been rescinded.”

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Permission granted on a vote

A motion to grant planning permission, with revised wording for a drainage condition, was carried when put to the vote.

“A motion, moved and seconded to grant planning permission P24/S4028/FUL, with the revised wording for condition 9 (as set out below) was carried on being put to the vote.”

“Revised wording for condition 9: 'The foul water drainage scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the details agreed under TC22117-310-P01, TC22117-311-P01, TC22117-301-P02 and the pump specification contained within the SI Pumps Ltd letter dated 29 August 2025 reference: PB1305OX prior to the occupation of the development hereby approved.”

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Approved with multiple conditions

The application was approved subject to conditions covering drainage, habitat management, lighting and tree protection.

“RESOLVED: to approve planning application for P24/S4028/FUL subject to the following conditions: Commencement 3 years – Full Planning Permission 2. Approved plans * 3. Materials as on plan 4. Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (1 of 2) 5. Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (2 of 2) 6. External lighting 7. Biodiversity Enhancement Features 8. SWD implementation 9. Foul Drainage Works (details required) 10. Tree protection (implementation as approved) 11.”

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