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.ukprior 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 replace ordinary  ...  view the full agenda text for item P173

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T Ashby & 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.

There were no declarations of interest from members or officers.

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 a resident of Manor Road in respect of application 23/00689/HHD to be discussed at part of Agenda Item 5.

At the discretion of the Chair planning application 23/00689/HHD was moved up the agenda and discussed after which the member  ...  view the full minutes text for item P175

a) To adopt and sign as correct the minutes of the committee meetings held on 24 January, 14 February and 7 March 2023.

b) Matters arising from the minutes of 24 January, 14 February and 7 March 2023.

The minutes of the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee meetings held on 24 January, 14 February and 7 March were received.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Climate, Biodiversity & Planning Committee meetings held on 24 January, 14 February and 7 March be approved as a correct record of the meeting and  ...  view the full minutes text for item P176

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

Also, to consider as a neighbouring parish, application 23/00179/FUL. The construction and operation of an anaerobic digestion facility, ancillary infrastructure and the construction of a new access road and access from South Leigh Road. Land South  ...  view the full agenda text for item P177

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

In addition, the Committee also discussed planning application 23/00179/FUL for an Anaerobic Digestion Facility in the neighbouring South Leigh parish.

The Committee objected to the application on grounds of transport, road safety and community benefit.  ...  view the full minutes text for item P177

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

Members are advised that following a software issue the attached list includes earlier decisions already reported. This issue has now been resolved and future editions of this report will include newly available decisions only.

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

Resolved:

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

At an earlier meeting of this committee Members discussed West Oxfordshire District Council plans to include a biodiversity checklist for planning applications. The new checklist now forms part of the planning application validation process, applicants must submit a completed form alongside planning application documents. The forms (and a guide to  ...  view the full agenda text for item P179

The Committee received copies of the new Biodiversity checklist implemented by West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC)

Resolved:

That, that the new Biodiversity checklist be noted.

To receive notice of Planning Appeal APP/D3125/W/22/3309162 for 118C Quarry Road, Witney.

The Committee received notice of planning appeal APP/D3125/W/22/3309162 – 118C Quarry Road, Witney.

Resolved:

That, the planning appeal decision be noted.

To receive notice of Planning Appeal APP/D3125/W/22/3307358 for Land South West of Downs Road, Curbridge Business Park, Witney.

The Committee received notice of planning appeal APP/D3125/W/22/3307358 – Land Southwest of Downs Road, Curbridge Business Park, Witney.

Resolved:

That, the planning appeal decision be noted.

To consider an application for a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003.

The Committee received the application from Barry’s Food Store, 355C Thorney Leys, Witney for a new premises licence.

Resolved:

That, the Council makes no objection to this application.

To consider an application for a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003.

The Committee received the application from Green Mobility Limited, 91 Corn Street, Witney for a new premises licence.

Resolved:

That, the Council makes no objection to this application.

To receive and consider a road naming request at Glenmore Business Centre.

The Committee received correspondence from West Oxfordshire District Council’s address management team.

Members confirmed there were no objections to the proposed name of “Norreys Avenue”.

Resolved:

That, the correspondence be noted.

To receive the report of the Park Ranger/Biodiversity Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Biodiversity Officer.

Members discussed the current impact of the River Windrush and Colwell Brook overtopping their banks during flood events and how this might be prevented to maintain good water quality at Witney Lake. There was the possibility of working with  ...  view the full minutes text for item P185

To receive and consider the report of the Park Ranger/Biodiversity Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Biodiversity Officer.

Members heard that progress was underway on the action points relating to the Lake, Country Park, and Open Spaces in the Council’s adopted Open Spaces Strategy. There was little more that could be done by officers at this point,  ...  view the full minutes text for item P186

To receive and consider the report of the Park Ranger/Biodiversity Officer.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Biodiversity Officer.

Members were presented with a report which was presented to the Council in 2022 which highlighted the Council’s current tree and hedging stock and proposals on how these could be increased over the coming years. The report was comprehensive,  ...  view the full minutes text for item P187

To note the response from West Oxfordshire District Council following resolution on this issue at the meeting held on 24 January 2023, minute no. P56 refers.

The Committee received the correspondence from the  principal planning policy officer at West Oxfordshire District Council regarding the consideration of Swift Bricks.

A member also updated that since the correspondence was received on 10 February, discussions have progressed at WODC and that it is an expectation that the use of  ...  view the full minutes text for item P188

To note that Enterprise are willing to provide one EV for a trial period of 6 months and at no cost to the District Council, and it will be stationed at one of the EV charging points (EVCPs).

WODC views this as an excellent opportunity to encourage greener travel at  ...  view the full agenda text for item P189

The Committee were pleased to hear that an opportunity for residents to experience the use of Electric Vehicles (EV) would be possible under this scheme.

A Member had already heard of the news and reported to the committee that the scheme was not yet live on the Enterprise website but  ...  view the full minutes text for item P189