Agenda item

To receive a proposal from a resident for a Community Hub to the north of Witney and consider supporting.

With the permission of the Chair, this item was moved up the agenda so the member of public could hear the discussion and outcome.

The Committee received and considered the Community Hub proposal prepared by the resident for land north of Burford Road and heard an update on discussions held with neighbouring parish councils and developers.

Members noted that written support for the proposal had already been provided by neighbouring parish councils and recognised the potential for the project to deliver a community facility serving a number of surrounding communities whilst providing wider educational, recreational and biodiversity benefits.

During discussion, Members considered the opportunities for securing future funding through Section 106 contributions and agreed that the proposal should form part of the Council's developing infrastructure priorities. Reference was also made to the emerging Local Plan, current planning applications affecting the area and the need to ensure that appropriate community infrastructure was secured alongside future development. Particular interest was expressed in the proposals for a biodiversity buffer zone incorporating wildflower habitats, woodland planting and the restoration of a veteran orchard.

Members expressed broad support for the aspirations of the proposal and noted that consideration of infrastructure priorities properly fell within the remit of the Planning & Development Committee. As four members of that Committee were present, constituting a quorum, it was agreed that support should be given to the inclusion of the Community Hub proposal within the Council's emerging Section 106 infrastructure priorities and that an additional representation be submitted in support of the Community Hub proposal as part of the Council's response to the Curbridge Downs planning application currently under consideration.

Resolved:

1. That, support for the Community Hub proposal be incorporated into the Council's infrastructure and Section 106 priorities where appropriate; and
2. That, support for the proposal be conveyed through future planning representations where relevant.
3. That, an additional response be submitted to the Curbridge Downs planning application expressing the Town Council's support for the Community Hub proposal.