Employment units at The Oasis Leisure Centre, Swindon

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for employment units, including B8, B2 and E(g)(iii) uses, with engineering and site clearance works.

“S/OUT/24/1427/TB - Outline application for employment units (Use Class B8 (including Data Centres), B2 and or E (g) (iii)), along with all associated engineering and site clearance (Access not reserved) - The Oasis Leisure Centre, Hawksworth Way, Swindon (Ward: Rodbourne Cheney)”

Minutes

The site and scheme

Only the principle of the employment uses was decided, while building details would be considered later through reserved matters applications.

“The application, and any additional information raised by the Case Officer, can be summarised as follows:”

“Only the principle of the employment uses proposed can be considered at this stage, due to the outline nature of the applications. The detail of the scheme would need to come forwards as part of later reserved matters applications. • Paragraph 8.75 of the case officer’s report should refer to 0.34 hectares, rather than 0.58, for the NEAP, Linear Park and SUDs feature, with a total area of open space of 0.91 rather than 1.15 hectares.”

Minutes

What officers recommended

Officers recommended granting outline permission, subject to a legal agreement and conditions, because the scheme’s benefits would outweigh its adverse impacts.

“In conclusion it is deemed that adverse impacts of the development would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the identified benefits and therefore the development would constitute sustainable development and planning permission should be granted.”

“That the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to GRANT outline planning permission subject to: (a) The completion of a S106 Deed to secure the planning obligations that are material to the decision (as set out in the Infrastructure & Heads of Terms section of this report); and (b) The planning conditions set out in this report with delegated authority to make reasonable…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Consultees raised issues about the canal, transport, parking, open space, ecology and contamination, while later responses supported conditions and further assessment.

“Covered in report including reference to financial appraisal and justification for no affordable housing provision. Active travel England Dated 20 th December 2024 The application requires further assessment, evidence, revisions and/or dialogue.”

“There are also concerns over the quality of open spaces with little evident design intent suggested in the detail proposed. • Other concerns (parking, profile and layout of open spaces provided, role and layout of SUDs and connectivity and the built form). Application is outline at present with landscaping forming the later reserved matters submissions. As set out in report further comfort has since been provide regarding both quality and amount of provision.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Six objectors spoke at the meeting, including a representative of the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed future building design, ecological measures, data-centre heat, transport modelling, cycling, canal delivery and controls on future land use.

“The detail as to the design of the employment buildings is yet to be confirmed and would come forwards as part of future reserved matters applications so the specifics in terms of solar panel provision is not yet clear but will be greatly encouraged at the appropriate time. Condition 8 requires mitigation measures in line with the ecological impact assessment.”

“The proposed employment use does not trigger any requirement for traffic mitigation based upon current modelling. • The parameter plan includes a cycle way and the canal, which will ensure that when the time comes, both are delivered.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Neil Hopkins proposed permission with the stated conditions, Councillor Claire Crilly seconded, and eight members supported the motion against two.

“Councillor Neil Hopkins proposed that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the case officer’s report. Councillor Claire Crilly seconded the proposal.”

“Eight Members were in favour of the proposal. Two members were opposed to the proposal. The motion was carried.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the conditions set out for the application.

“Resolved – That planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the case officer’s report.”

Minutes