Family residential centre at 78 Unit B, Cumnor Road, Boars Hill, Oxford

What was proposed

The application proposed converting an office building into a family residential centre, with minor courtyard changes and a bike and buggy store.

“The application proposes to convert the existing building into a family residential centre (Class C2) (e.g. residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site lies behind housing, is accessed by a single-width concrete route, sits at the settlement edge and is adjacent to the Oxford Green Belt.

“The site lies behind an existing row of housing off Cumnor Road. The site is accessed off Cumnor Road by a single-width concreted vehicular access. The site lies on the edge of the settlement.”

“The site does not lie within any land designations but lies adjacent to the Oxford Green Belt.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Earlier applications concerned refurbishment and extension, and demolition with improved replacement buildings; there was no relevant appeal history.

“RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY P10/V2175 - Proposed refurbishment and minor extension of existing buildings…”

“P99/V1654 - Demolition of existing buildings and provision of improved buildings.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because social care benefits, the sustainable location and limited physical impacts outweighed employment policy concerns and other limited harms.

“In policy terms, there is some tension with employment protection objectives, particularly the intent of Neighbourhood Plan Policy IN5 concerning loss of commercial premises. However, officers conclude that the proposal would not represent a complete loss of employment, as staffing and operational functions associated with the care facility would remain.”

“Overall, while some conflict exists with policies seeking to retain employment uses, this harm is judged to be moderate and outweighed by the social and community benefits of providing specialist care accommodation, the sustainable location of the site, the limited environmental and amenity impacts, and the fallback position that could otherwise permit complete residential conversion.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish council representative spoke, alongside one objector and one supporter.

Members’ discussion

Members discussed indicative road signage, the restriction to the proposed use and whether surface improvements could help address flooding concerns.

“Members asked for clarification over the location of a road sign which was shown as being on the property of a neighbour and were advised that the signage was only indicative at this stage.”

“Members noted that there were no objections relating to drainage but observed that neighbours had expressed concerns over flooding and queried whether there was any opportunity to improve the surface to reduce flooding. The committee were advised that there was no justifiable reason for this following the assessment by the drainage engineer.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

A motion to approve was moved and seconded, carried on being put to the vote, and the application was approved subject to ten conditions.

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

“RESOLVED: to approve planning application P25/V1834/FUL subject to the following conditions: Commencement 3 yrs – Full Planning Permission…”

Minutes