Agenda and minutes

To consider apologies and reasons for absence.

Committee Members who are unable to attend the meeting should notify the Committee Clerk (derek.mackenzie@witney-tc.gov.uk) prior to the meeting, stating the reason for absence.

Standing Order 309a)(v) permits the appointment of substitute Councillors to a Committee whose role is to  ...  view the full agenda text for item P45

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L Duncan and J Aitman.

Members are reminded to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in any of the items under consideration at this meeting in accordance with the Town Council’s code of conduct.

Councillor P Hiles declared a non-pecuniary interest in application 22/03354/FUL by virtue of knowing the applicant.

The meeting will adjourn for this item.

Members of the public may speak for a maximum of five minutes each during the period of public participation, in line with Standing Order 42.  Matters raised shall relate to the following items on the agenda.

The Committee adjourned for this item.

The committee received representations from Hannah Bourne-Taylor a resident of Enstone and petitioner for the installation of Swift Bricks in properties to help red listed birds. Agenda Item 12.

Further representation was made by a resident of Church Green, Witney concerning planning application 22/03354/FUL  ...  view the full minutes text for item P47

a) To adopt and sign as correct the minutes of the committee held on 15 November, 6 December 2022, and 3 January 2023.

b) Matters arising from the minutes of 15 November, 6 December 2022, and 3 January 2023.

The minutes of the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee meetings held on 15 November, 6 December 2022, and 3 January 2023 were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee meetings held on 15 November, 6 December 2022, and 3 January 2023  be approved as a correct record  ...  view the full minutes text for item P48

To receive and consider a schedule of Planning Applications from West Oxfordshire District Council.

The Committee received and considered a schedule of planning applications from West Oxfordshire District Council.

Resolved:

That the comments, as per the attached schedule, be forwarded to West Oxfordshire District Council.

To receive and consider a schedule of planning decisions from West Oxfordshire District Council.

The Committee received and considered a schedule of planning decisions received from West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC)

Resolved:

That, the list circulated advising of District Council planning decisions be noted.

To receive appeal decision notification APP/D3125/W/22/3299642

The Committee received notice of planning appeal APP/D3125/W/22/3299642 – 13 Willowbank, Witney.

Resolved:

That, the planning appeal decision be noted.

To receive appeal decision notification APP/D3125/W/22/3297487.

The Committee received notice of planning appeal APP/D3125/W/3297487 – Land at Witney Road, Ducklington.

Resolved:

That, the planning appeal decision be noted.

To receive information from the Local Planning Authority regarding an updated checklist for validating planning applications. Effective 1^st February 2023.

The Committee received the correspondence of the West Oxfordshire Council Planning Team regarding new planning application validation checklists.

Members were pleased in particular to see improvements to  Biodiversity and Climate Sustainability, including flood risk. Officers hoped to have a copy of the new checklist at the next Climate, Biodiversity and  ...  view the full minutes text for item P53

To receive correspondence from Oxfordshire County Council, deferred to this Committee from the Full Council meeting on 10 October 2022.

The Committee received and considered the correspondence deferred from the meeting of Full Council on 10^th October 2022 concerning land adjacent to Cogges Priory at Langel Common.

Members discussed that there were several paths that were walked regularly by the public on this area of land which have gone  ...  view the full minutes text for item P54

To note the Pavement Licence Application W/22/01158/PAVLIC for The Corn Exchange, Market Square.

The Committee received the application by The Corn Exchange, Market Square for a renewal of their pavement licence.

Resolved:

That, the Council makes no comment on this application.

To consider responding to the petition to government “Make swift bricks compulsory in new housing to help red-listed birds”.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/626737

The Committee heard from a member of the public during public participation and received a handout with information explaining the benefits of Swift Bricks and a petition she had created.

Members discussed the issue and one member noted there was a population of swifts in Corn Street some years ago  ...  view the full minutes text for item P56