350-home outline development at Land (E) 428789 (E), 208512 Burford Road, Brize Norton

What was proposed

An outline application sought up to 350 homes, community-use land, access from Burford Road, open space, landscaping and supporting infrastructure.

“Application Details: Outline planning application with all matters reserved except access for up to 350 dwellings (Use Class C3); land for local community use (Use Classes E and F2); detailed means of access from Burford Road; public open space; landscaping; service infrastructure and associated works on land to the south of Burford Road, Brize Norton…”

Officer report

The site

The undeveloped 17-hectare site contains arable fields near Carterton and Brize Norton, with woodland, hedgerows, a country park and existing services nearby.

“The site is formed of a 17-hectares of green fields bound by Kilkenny Lane to the south, beyond which is the Kilkenny Lane Country Park and Burford Road to the north and east, with a mixture of woodland blocks, existing dwellings and open countryside. Although it sites within the Parish of Brize Norton, georgraphically speaking, the site is located approximately 2.5km to the north of Carterton town centre and 1.5km north west of Brize Norton.”

“The site is currently undeveloped and consists of arable fields with no existing buildings and is bound by vegetation and a stone wall along part of the northern and eastern boundaries adjacent to Burford Road, with existing vegetation along the southern and western edges. A line of trees runs through the site from north to south. There are no Public Rights of Way (PRoW) crossing the site.”

Officer report

Planning background

The site had been promoted for residential development since 2011, but there was no relevant planning application history.

“The site has been promoted since 2011 as an opportunity for residential development through the West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2031 and the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 and is currently being promoted as a 'preferred strategic option site' through the emerging West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2041.”

“There is no relevant planning application history on this site.”

Officer report

Drainage and highways

Drainage conditions were proposed to secure surface-water controls and foul-water capacity, while highways officers accepted the access and improvements subject to conditions and agreements.

“Thames Water (TW) Thames Water has raised no objections to the proposals in terms of surface water but has identified an inability in the existing water network to accommodate the needs of this development proposal.”

“In response, the applicants HCB offered an interim on site solution in order to maintain housing delivery and to mitigate impacts onto the existing water network. Various technical information has been shared with members and via public access in the form of an FAQs page detailing the proposed interim on site solution. In conjunction with officers from the EA, the LLFA, TW and district drainage team, the technical information and approach was discussed and shared.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Specialist consultees raised no objections on several matters, while housing officers sought detailed affordable housing, accessibility and custom-build arrangements.

“WODC Housing Enabler Having had the opportunity to review the application I am able comment as follows: The planning statement proposes that 35% of the dwellings are to be provided as affordable housing in accordance with requirements for medium value areas set out in Policy H3 of the local plan. An affordable housing mix is provided although not broken down by tenure. The mix indicates 1 and 2 bed homes making-up 56% of the total affordable homes.”

“The Council would need to understand how these homes would be delivered therefore I request that a delivery statement is provided at an early stage. Affordable Housing and custom/self build housing provided on this scheme could make an important contribution to local housing need.”

Officer report

Public comments

Most representations objected over ecology, flooding, traffic, infrastructure, landscape, sewage and urban coalescence; four letters supported the scheme’s housing and community benefits.

“- Detrimental impact on local ecology. - Highways safety. - Increase danger in flooding. - Detrimental landscape impact. - Neighbourliness. - Principle of development unacceptable in this location. - Incapacity in local drainage and water infrastructure. - Increased and unacceptable demand on local infrastructure (education and health care). - coalescence between Brize Norton and Carterton. - Unacceptable increase in traffic movements. - Lack of market demand.”

“- Carterton previously had a comprehensive Master Plan to 2031, which appears to have been disregarded. - Carterton and Brize Norton have limited land within their own boundaries; current development land is within Brize Norton parish but owned by external landowners. - Brize Meadow development lacked a needed GP surgery and has issues with poor workmanship.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A sewage-pollution group and the parish council spoke against the application, the applicant spoke in support, and a local ward member raised concerns.

Members’ discussion and decision

Members discussed sustainability, landscape views, drainage, roads and the country park before approving the application with an additional fencing requirement.

“Following all the speakers a number of points of clarification were raised by many of the Members. Whilst some members felt they could not support the recommendation others expressed the view that everything possible had been done that was required to ensure that it was a sustainable site that could not raise any objections. The development was felt to be in the interests of the residents.”

“RESOLVED: That the application be approved in line with the officer`s recommendation, subject to an additional requirement to secure fencing details around the attenuation ponds.”

Minutes