Three commercial units at Hill Farm, Upper Heyford

What was proposed

Three commercial units would provide B2 and B8 floorspace, ancillary offices, two accesses, parking and space for the applicant’s transport refrigeration business.

“The development is for the construction of 3 commercial units (Use Class B2 and B8) Including ancillary Office Space and Associated Access and Parking. A single unit providing approximately 1481sqm of floorspace will be located on the western side of the site and will be occupied by the applicant and two units will be located on the eastern side of the site providing a further 928sqm split between the two units.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 1.05-hectare site lies between the M1 and Flore bypass, with existing commercial buildings, a recycling facility, hedgerows, trees and paddock land.

“The site comprises a mix of existing commercial buildings, a farm access track which crosses the M1 via a bridge and an area of open paddock land. The site as a whole covers an area of 1.05Ha.”

“The site has a mature hedgerow and tree planting along its northern boundary followed by the drop down onto the M1. To the remaining boundaries the site edge is marked by a mix of hedgerows, trees, paddock fencing and the new Flore bypass. To the west are a number of commercial units and to the east is the D&M Recycling and Waste Management site, with the Oval Service Station beyond.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier applications approved employment development including up to 4,700 square metres of B2 and B8 floorspace with ancillary office space.

“S/2019/1369/MAO Hybrid planning application to include: (i) Full planning application for the extension of the existing employment units, 1 and 2 and subdivision of Unit 1, into 2 units, to create an additional 1,875 SQ.M, of Class Use B1(c ), B2 or B8 use, with ancillary B1 (a) office use, and associated infrastructure; (ii) together with outline planning application of 4,700 SQ.M of Class Use B1 (c), B2 or B8, with ancillary B1 (a) office use, all matters reserved, save…”

“2024/1954/MAO Outline application (all matters reserved except access) for up to 4,700 sqm of use class B2 or B8, with ancillary use class E office space - Land at Hill Farm Upper Heyford - Approval…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the employment proposal was supported in principle and would cause no significant harm across the assessed planning issues, subject to conditions.

“The report looks into the key planning issues in detail, and Officers conclude that the proposal is acceptable subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Public representations

No letters of objection or support were received.

“Below is a summary of the third party and neighbour responses received at the time of writing this report.”

“There have no letters of objection or letters of support received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative addressed the committee in support, citing investment in local jobs and skills and compliance with planning policies.

The committee vote

Councillors voted eleven in favour, none against and with no abstentions, carrying the motion to approve the application.

“It was proposed by Councillor Adrian Cartwright and seconded by Councillor Sally Keeble that application 2025/5089/MAF be approved in accordance with the Case Officer’s recommendation, subject to the amended conditions and additional conditions set out in the Committee Updates. The motion was put to the vote with eleven votes cast in favour of the proposal, no votes cast against with no abstentions, therefore the motion was carried, and the application was approved.”

Minutes