Two parking bays at 22 Norreys Road, Cumnor, Oxford

What was proposed

The application sought to replace an approved double garage with two uncovered parking bays and remove the garage from the parking condition.

“PROPOSAL 2.1 The applicant seeks a variation to the approved plans of permission P19/V1804/FUL to omit an approved detached garage in favour of two uncovered parking spaces to the rear of the property.”

“Condition 8 of P19/V1804/FUL required the access, parking area/spaces, including the garage building, and turning spaces to be implemented prior to the commencement of the development. The applicant wishes to remove reference to the garage building as it is no longer proposed.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is a residential property with neighbouring dwellings, a public footpath beside its western boundary and open countryside beyond nearby.

“The application site is 22 Norreys Road in Cumnor. Planning permission was granted and has commenced under P19/V1804/FUL for the demolition of an existing bungalow and the erection of a pair of semi-detached houses.”

“The property is situated within a residential area of Cumnor fronting Norreys Road to the south. There are other dwellings to the east, west and north-east of the site. Dwellings along Norreys Road are mainly large detached or semi-detached houses, typically benefiting from long linear plots which transition to the open countryside beyond, which is within the Oxford Green Belt (the site itself is not within the Green Belt).”

Officer report

What officers advised

Officers recommended approval because the change would reduce visual impact, protect neighbour amenity, provide sufficient parking and avoid highway harm.

“Application P19/V1804/FUL included a detached single storey two-bay garage outbuilding within the rear garden of the eastern semi-detached dwelling (No. 22). It is proposed to omit this garage and replace it with two uncovered hard- standing parking spaces. The change would have a lesser impact on the site and surrounding area.”

“Access and parking Policies CP33, CP35, CP37 and DP16 of LPP1 and LPP2 require development to provide safe and convenient access, sufficient car and cycle parking in line with Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) standards and adequate provision for loading, unloading, circulation, servicing and vehicle turning. Development must also minimise the impact on the highway network and promote more sustainable modes of transport where appropriate.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

The parish council objected over occupation before access completion and land-related matters, while the highways officer had no objection subject to a condition.

“Consultee Comments Cumnor Parish Council Objection – to original and amended consultation • Properties occupied before access condition has been completed, a material breach of planning conditions • Application claims title over land for #22 for its conditioned off-street parking on which the variation is sought…”

“Highways Liaison Officer (Oxfordshire County Council) No objection (original consultation) Subject to condition…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the application, a councillor spoke for the parish council in objection, and the ward member also spoke.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed enforcement, highway responsibilities, the realism of the three-month deadline and whether removing the garage suggested future development.

“Vale of White Horse District Council - Planning Committee Minutes - Wednesday, 23 July 2025 Members questioned whether there were any outstanding enforcement issues on the site. Officers confirmed that the applicant had failed to complete the access prior to occupation, which constituted a breach of the original condition and was therefore an enforcement matter.”

“A question was raised about the removal of the garage and whether it indicated any longer-term development intentions. Officers confirmed that future intentions could not be considered as part of this application. The removal of the garage itself was not problematic, as the required parking provision would still be met and the visual impact would be reduced.”

Minutes

The vote

A motion to approve the application was moved, seconded and carried.

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

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to completing access, parking and turning within three months and implementing the landscaping condition.

“RESOLVED: to approve planning application P24/V2567/S73 subject to the following conditions:”

“Within 3 months of the date of the permission 2. Access, parking and turning in accordance with plans compliance 3. Landscaping scheme implementation/maintenance…”

Minutes