Seven flats at 16 Cumnor Hill, Oxford

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the existing house and building seven flats with landscaping and access works, with landscaping reserved for later approval.

“PROPOSAL 2.1 The applicant seeks outline permission for the demolition of the existing dwellinghouse and proposed erection of building comprising 7no. flats and associated landscaping and access works. Access to Flat 1 is on the front elevation; access to flats 2 and 3 on the ground floor, as well as upper floors, is via the stairwell which is accessed via the east-facing elevation (side entrance).”

“The aim of this application is to establish whether the principle of providing a larger building, to accommodate 7 flats and associated access and parking, is acceptable. The following matters are also being considered at outline stage: appearance, scale, layout and access. Landscaping is a reserved matter to be considered at a later stage.”

Officer report

The site

The steeply sloping site backs onto Martin Close, lies beside existing flats, and is surrounded by family homes and backland dwellings.

“The application site is located on the northern side of Cumnor Hill; it is rectangular in shape with an area of approximately 0.16ha. The existing dwelling is to the south of the site near to access onto Cumnor Hill. The site slopes steeply downwards to the north – a characteristic of Cumnor Hill – and backs onto a courtyard development, Martin Close.”

Officer report

Earlier proposals

A nine-apartment proposal was withdrawn, while a two-dwelling scheme was refused and dismissed at appeal because of the rear dwelling’s relationship with the area.

“The application follows an earlier proposal for a replacement building P23/V2115/O (9 apartments), which was withdrawn on the grounds of overdevelopment, and scale and bulk of the proposed building. More recently an application for 2 dwellings P24/V0571/FUL - one located in place of no 16 and one presented as backland development - was refused at planning committee and subsequently dismissed at appeal.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

The parish council and residents objected mainly to the building’s scale, character, neighbour impact, highways, drainage, ecology and construction effects.

“Representation Comments Revised response – November 2025 – Objection Amendments noted but an updated site plan has not been provided. The application still does not address concerns raised by the council’s Drainage Engineer, or the OCC Highways Officer. Revised response – July 2025: Objection The amendment does not address previous concerns.”

“The neighbourhood plan steers development towards 1 and 2 storey buildings. The bulk, depth, scale and height of this proposed block of flats will not allow it to be read as an individual dwelling, or one which is appropriate to the surrounding area. The building continues to be extremely large in all dimensions, and is only marginally smaller in footprint that the original design.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Judy Roberts spoke for Cumnor Parish Council, an objector spoke against the application, and Scott Houghton spoke as ward councillor.

What members discussed

Members questioned the outline approach, slab levels, differences from the earlier proposal and drainage safeguards, and considered the building’s appearance and location suitable.

“Members queried why the application was Outline only and were advised that it was in order to establish whether the site was suitable for the proposed flats and that all matters aside from landscaping could be considered at this stage.”

“Members asked why slab levels were not included in the submitted plans and were advised that a condition was proposed which would require details of slab levels prior to commencement.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A motion to approve or refuse the application was put to the vote and carried.

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

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the application subject to conditions covering construction, drainage, access, biodiversity, parking, storage, charging points and signage.

“Vale of White Horse District Council - Planning Committee Minutes - Wednesday, 26 November 2025 RESOLVED: to approve planning application P25/V0921/O subject to the following conditions/for the following reasons: Standard: Work to commence within 3 yrs (OUT; RM application – Landscaping required) 2. In accordance with approved plans Prior to commencement: Tree protection 4. Surface water drainage scheme 5. Construction phase – surface water management 6.”

Minutes