Security fence and CCTV at Land to the north of Frome Road, Harwell Campus, Didcot

The site and its setting

The site contained an operational vaccine manufacturing and research facility on the eastern edge of Harwell Campus, within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape.

“The application site is located on land North of Frome Road, along the eastern edge of Harwell Campus that adjoins the Newbury Road. The site extends to approximately 3.98 hectares and comprises the Moderna facility, which encompasses: two buildings: Building 1 – Advanced Vaccine Manufacturing (to the north of the site); and Building 2 – Vaccine Research and Development (to the south of the site), together with car parking to the east and service area to the west.”

“The application site and wider campus are situated within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. The application site is in Flood Zone 1 (low probability of flooding).”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers accepted the security need and found that its benefits outweighed harm to local landscape character, with conditions to control landscaping and occupation.

“Need for security requirements On assessing the application for the employment buildings (ref P22/V2435/FUL), officers raised concerns about the need for security measures and advised that additional security measures such as a security fence around the perimeter of the site would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the area. Officers were assured that no additional security measures, such as a fence, would be required.”

“Thames Valley Police are of the view that the proposed fence line and security kiosks will be a very important element of the overall site security strategy, working in harmony with the proposed lighting and CCTV system to enable effective policing and security response to an identified threat.”

Officer report

The main landscape concern

The black mesh fence would be prominent and harmful to local landscape character, although planting and its set-back would soften views.

“The addition of fencing to this prominent location at the site frontage, and adjacent to Perimeter Road and Frome Road which are used to access local residential areas and a school will have an impact on the local landscape character and local views, predominantly in the immediate vicinity of the scheme. There will be limited impact on wider views, due to the existing and proposed hedge and trees along Newbury Road, screening views from the wider National Landscape.”

“Overall, it is considered that the proposed security fence will have a harmful impact on the visual amenity of the area and the local landscape character. The set back from the road and the existing and proposed landscaping will assist in softening views and reducing the overall prominence of the development in the landscape.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

A parish council representative spoke against the application, two people spoke in support, and a ward councillor spoke.

What members discussed

Members discussed the changed security requirements, fence height, CCTV poles, technical objections, critical infrastructure status and landscaping mitigation.

“Members requested clarification on the proposed height of the fence and a reassurance that no additional poles for CCTV would be used. The committee were advised that the height of the fence would be 2.4m and that the CCTV would only be mounted on the existing light poles.”

“Members were reassured that there had been no objections from technical consultees and that the landscaping scheme would mitigate the impact of the proposed fence…”

Minutes

The vote and decision

The committee approved the application with conditions covering commencement, approved plans, tree protection, landscaping and personal permission.

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

“RESOLVED: to approve planning application P25/V0269/FUL subject to the following conditions/for the following reasons: Commencement of development within 3 years 2. Approved plans 3. Tree Protection Measures 4. Submission and implementation of landscape scheme 5. Personal Permission…”

Minutes