Five two-bedroom flats at 81 Oxford Road, Abingdon

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the existing dwelling and building five two-bedroom flats with bin and bike storage, parking and amenity space.

“PROPOSAL Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of building comprising 5no. two bedroom flats and associated bin and bike storage, parking and amenity space (As amended by plans reconfiguring roof, roof openings and layout of second floor received 19 August 2025, and as amended by updated BNG assessment and metric, and details of swept path analysis received 22 September 2025).”

“PROPOSAL 2.1 The applicant seeks full permission for the demolition of the existing dwelling and erection of 2.5 storey building comprising 5no. two bedroom flats and associated bin and bike storage, parking and amenity space.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was in an established residential area near Northcourt Road facilities, surrounded mainly by large two-storey family homes.

“The application site is located in the north-east of Abingdon, in an established residential area, and close to facilities on Northcourt Road. Dwellings immediately around the application site are generally large, 2-storey family homes, set back from Oxford Road behind low walls and well established vegetation.”

“There are no area designations or site constraints relevant to this proposal.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier proposals included six apartments over three storeys, with one withdrawn and one receiving planning advice.

“P24/V0004/FUL Demolition of existing two storey house; replacement with 6 two bedroom apartments over three storeys. Withdrawn (24/07/2024)”

“P23/V2002/PEM Demolition of existing two storey house, replacement three storey 6 no. 2 bedroom apartments…”

Officer report

The officers’ assessment

Officers considered the location, design, residential amenity, parking, ecology, drainage and landscaping acceptable, subject to conditions.

“In this case the driveway is shown to be widened within the site to accommodate 2 passing vehicles, and parking and turning space for 5 vehicles. Alongside this vegetation is retained along the front and side boundary, and around the cycle store; a raised green area is to be retained to the front, and two new trees are shown to be planted to the front.”

“The dwelling is acceptable in terms of height, scale and set-in from the boundary, and would not adversely affect the residential amenity of neighbouring occupants. Subject to the conditions, the proposal is in accordance with highway safety, non-carbon travel options, sustainable drainage and biodiversity policy. The development accords with the policies of the development plan and the NPPF.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council objected, while council officers generally raised no objection after amendments, subject to conditions and outstanding bin-store concerns.

“Representation Comments Updated response (Oct) – Objection This amendment appears to indicate that a refuse lorry may be able to access the site. However, the original concerns still stand, as below. Updated response (Sept) – Objection This amendment has satisfied the overall height of the development. However, the original concerns still stand, as below. Abingdon Town Council Original response (July) – Objection 1. Overdevelopment: The project is too large for the area. 2.”

“Updated response (Sept / Oct) – Objection Concern that bin store doors open out onto driveway and could obstruct vehicles if left open. Amendments to bin store requested, as well as updated swept path analysis. Highways Liaison Officer (Oxfordshire County Council) Original response (July) – Objection Widening of driveway is required to allow vehicles to pass. Vehicle swept path analysis of parking is required. Cyle parking is acceptable.”

Officer report

Residents’ objections

Seven objections raised concerns about the development’s scale, character, parking, traffic, privacy, light, drainage, waste, infrastructure and noise.

“Planning matter Comments Comments on amendments Original comments continue to stand Water management and drainage Concerns over water management and drainage Traffic and highway safety Traffic impact on a busy Road and Bus Route Character and design The large-scale development is not appropriate for this site. Out of keeping with other detached and semi-detached residences in this Road.”

“Five car parking spaces for five two-bedroom flats is inadequate Increased traffic on busy road with safety concerns at traffic lights No provision for visiting vehicles Area is characterised by large front gardens, not parking courts to the front Potential for on-street parking causing traffic issues on major route Increased danger from delivery drivers parking on the curb – unclear how delivery vehicles will enter and exit safely Fivefold increase in households will raise…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two people spoke against the application, one person spoke in support, and Councillor Andy Foulsham spoke as ward councillor.

The committee’s discussion

Members discussed the proposal’s massing and light effects, parking provision, waste collection, its previous HMO use and its location near shops and a bus route.

“Members expressed concern over the size and mass of the proposal specifically with concern to loss of light for the neighbouring property at 83a Oxford Road. Members were advised that while there would be some loss of…”

“Members requested more detail about the waste collection and were advised that the proposed condition related to the bin storage only. In relation to the collection, the waste management team had not raised any concerns and had not identified any barriers that would prevent collection.”

Minutes

The vote

A motion concerning approval or refusal was moved and seconded, then carried when put to the vote.

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

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was approved subject to conditions covering biodiversity, drainage, landscaping, access, parking, electric vehicle charging, cycles and waste storage.

“RESOLVED: to approve planning application P25/V1214/FUL subject to the following conditions/for the following reasons: Standard: Work to commence within 3 years 2. In accordance with plans Prior to commencement: Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) 4. Construction Method Statement – Biodiversity 5. Finished floor levels, including of bin store 6. Drainage scheme – surface water Prior to commencement above slab level: 7.”

Minutes