Up to 59 homes at Fullers Field Land west of Primose Avenue, Wantage

The site and surroundings

The undeveloped site covered about 2.65 hectares, bordered development and homes, and contained footpaths, a water main, trees and hedges.

“The application site constitutes undeveloped land extending to approximately 2.65 hectares within the wider Crab Hill development to the north-east of the market town of Wantage and is part of the allocated housing site in the adopted Local Plan 2031, part 1.”

“The site is bound by recent development on the Crab Hill site to the east and north, existing residential dwellings in Charlton Village Road and Parsonage Close to the south and a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) to the west. A public footpath crosses the site on a northwest to southeast alignment and there is a water main running through part of the site. There are several mature trees and hedging along the boundaries of the site.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the allocated site suitable for the additional homes, with acceptable design, amenity, access, drainage and biodiversity mitigation.

“The scheme is of an acceptable design with no unreasonable impacts on existing residents. Suitable vehicular access can be provided without detriment to highway safety or severe impacts on the road network.”

“The proposal involves the loss of priority habitat through the removal of multiple sections from hedgerow along the eastern boundary of the site and this will result in some harm. The loss of the priority habitat has been weighed against the benefits of the proposal. The site is allocated for development within the adopted Local Plan, and the proposal will contribute to housing delivery, including the provision of affordable homes.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The highway authority and technical consultees raised no objections after amendments, subject to conditions, contributions and biodiversity safeguards.

“Oxfordshire County Council – Transport Second Consultation (July 2025) No objection, subject to the following conditions and S106 contributions: • Details of access roads and footways serving the site • Residential Travel Plan • Construction Traffic Management Plan…”

“Representation Comments Ecology Officer Second Consultation (July 2025) No objection, subject to minor amendment to the BNG calculation, and the following conditions: • Lighting strategy for bats • Scheme of features for protected and priority species • Construction Environmental Management Plan for Biodiversity (CEMP: Biodiversity)”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the application, and the agent spoke in support on behalf of the applicant.

What members discussed

Members questioned drainage, sewage capacity, water pressure and protection of the public right of way during construction.

“Members also queried whether confirmation of water network capacity could be obtained prior to granting approval, rather than relying on conditions post- decision. The officer referred members to the relevant conditions, which included consultation responses from Thames Water who had raised no objection, subject to conditions relating to surface water and foul drainage schemes, which were required prior to commencement of development.”

“Members also asked whether temporary measures would be put in place to maintain the public right of way through the site during the construction phase. The officer confirmed that informatives would be included to ensure protection and mitigation of the right of way during construction. Any works affecting the public right of way would require separate consent from Oxfordshire County Council.”

Minutes

The vote

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

“Members also noted that the application was for “up to” 59 dwellings. It was acknowledged that the final number of dwellings could be lower, depending on the outcome of the reserved matters stage and compliance with relevant planning policies. Members agreed that there were no technical objections to the application and confirmed their support for approval.”

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

Minutes