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Towersey Parish Council > Documents > Agendas > 2025 > AGENDA – Meeting of the Parish Council Tuesday 1st April 2025 at 19:30.

AGENDA – Meeting of the Parish Council Tuesday 1st April 2025 at 19:30.

2025Agendas Uploaded on March 26, 2025
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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the War Memorial Hall on Tuesday 1st April 2025 at 19:30.

A G E N D A

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

  2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS (personal and/or pecuniary and/or prejudicial)

  3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
    A period will be allowed for members of the public to address the Council primarily in respect of items on the agenda of this Parish Council meeting but also in the interests of wider public discussion. Please advise the Clerk if you wish to address the Council.

  4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4th March 2025 & matters arising
     Approve the minutes as a true record and chairman to formally sign and date

  5. UPDATE FROM OCC Councillors for this ward and SODC Councillors for this ward.

  6. PLANNING MATTERS

    FOR CONSIDERATION:-

    P24/S3939/FUL at Chiltern View 35 Windmill Road Towersey OX9 3QQ – Erection of an agricultural barn for the storage of tractors and machinery associated with the use of the holding. Response due by 4th April 2025.

    FOR INFORMATION:-

    Planning Appeal Reference: 3361189 – Emmanuel Ranch, Windmill Road, Towersey OX9 3QQ – in respect of

    Alleged breach: Without planning permission the undertaking of operations comprising of:

    (i) earthworks to clear the site and create a raised development platform (shown hatched black on the plan at Attachment 2);

    (ii) the laying of a hardstanding driveway and parking and manoeuvring areas (shown shaded grey on the plan at Attachment 2);

    (iii) the erection of close-boarded fences and ornamental pillars (shown coloured blue on the plan at Attachment 2) and entrance gates (in the approximate location shown on the plan at Attachment 2);

    (iv) the installation of poles mounted with external lighting and closed circuit television surveillance equipment (shown coloured orange on the plan Attachment 2);

    (v) the laying of concrete slabs/bases (shown cross hatched black on the plan at Attachment 2);
    (vi) the laying of concrete and brick kerbs (shown coloured crimson on the plan at Attachment 2);

    (vii) the construction of brick skirts and steps around mobile homes (in the approximate location shown edged dark purple on the plan at Attachment 2);

    (viii) the erection of 3 x buildings (shown coloured dark brown on the plan at Attachment 2); (ix) the installation of 3 x septic tanks (in the approximate locations shown on the plan at Attachment 2); and

    (x) the depositing of spoil (shown hatched and shaded light brown on the plan

    at Attachment 2). (SE23/312(B)).

    Appellants name : Mr Darren Smith

    Appeal reference : APP/Q3115/C/25/3361189

    Appeal start date: 28th February 2025

    An appeal has been made to the Secretary of State against the serving of an enforcement notice by South Oxfordshire District Council on 16th January 2025.

    The enforcement notice was issued for the following reasons:

a) It appears to the council that the breach of planning control has occurred within the last 10 years.

b) The unauthorised development is situated in an unsustainable location in the open countryside physically separate and remote from the nearest settlement. The develop is therefore contrary to policies STRAT1, DES8 and TRANS5 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035; policy TOW1 of the Towersey Neighbourhood Plan; and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework and the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites in so far as these aimed at

achieving sustainable development.

c) The lack of a 5-year supply of gypsy/traveller sites under the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 and the personal circumstances of the owners and their families, are outweighed by other material considerations, including the adverse impacts of the development in terms of the character of the landscape; the intrinsic value of the countryside; the character and visual amenity of the surrounding area; the unsustainable location of the site; the net loss of biodiversity; the lack of information regarding sustainable surface and foul water drainage; and the deliberate unauthorised nature of the development. Furthermore, the unauthorised development does not positively enhance the environment and increase its openness. Rather, it has been designed in a manner that encloses

the site in a way that gives the impression that the site and its occupants are deliberately isolated from the rest of the community. The proposed development is therefore contrary to policy H14 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035; and government guidance contained in the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites aimed at achieving the suitable and sustainable location of gypsy and traveller sites; and the suitable design and assimilation of gypsy and traveller sites into their surroundings.

d) The unauthorised development has an urban character and appearance that sits uncomfortably in the existing rural landscape and countryside setting. The development is harmful to the landscape and the intrinsic character, beauty and tranquillity of the countryside, contrary to policies ENV1 and H14 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035; and government guidance contained in the National

Planning Policy Framework and the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites in so far as these aim to protect the landscape qualities and intrinsic value of the countryside from adverse development.

e) The scattered nature of the built development on the site, the prominence of pole mounted lighting and surveillance equipment, the domestic character of the close boarded fences and gates that enclose the site, the prominent and ornately decorated pillars at the entrance to the site; and the extent to which the levels of the land have been altered and covered in hardstanding materials, all have an

urbanizing impact on the character and appearance of the site that sits uncomfortably in an otherwise open and tranquil rural setting. The development does not physically or visually enhance or complement its surroundings and does not make adequate provision for any outdoor amenity space, including provision for landscaping or a play area for children. The development is therefore contrary

to policies DES1, DES2, DES5 and H14 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035; policy TOW16 of the Towersey Neighbourhood Plan; and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, aimed at achieving good design and respect for local distinctiveness.

f) The outdoor lighting mounted on poles is contrary to the amenity of the area, the natural environment and dark sky character of the setting. This is contrary to policies DES6 and ENV12 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

g) The unauthorised development has resulted in a net loss of biodiversity and likely harm to protected species contrary to policies ENV2 and ENV3 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035; policy TOW7 of the Towersey Neighbourhood Plan; and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework aimed at protecting biodiversity.

h) Insufficient provision has been made for the sustainable drainage of surface and foul water in connection with the unauthorised development, having particular regard to the impermeable nature of the underlying geology, the natural fall of the land away from the highway and the absence of any water course or public sewer in proximity to the site. The development is therefore contrary to policies EP4 and H14 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework aimed at addressing flood risk and water quality.

i) The Council does not consider that planning permission should be given, because planning conditions could not overcome these objections.

The appellant has appealed against the notice on the following grounds:


(a) That planning permission should be granted for what is alleged in the notice.

(f) The steps required to comply with the notice are excessive, and lesser steps would overcome the objections.

(g) The time given to comply with the notice is too short.

The appeal will be determined on the basis of a hearing. The procedure to be followed is set out in the Town and Country Planning (Enforcement) (Hearings Procedure) (England) Rules 2002.

If you wish to make comments, you can do so online at https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk. If you do not have access to the internet, you can send your comments to:

Adewale Ajibade

The Planning Inspectorate

Room

Temple Quay House

2 The Square

Bristol

8S1 6PN

All representations must be received by 11th April 2025.

  1. FINANCE –

    Receipts and Payments schedule – authorise disbursements and sign checks. Bank Statement Review and bank balance check per most recent Bank Statement or online.

    Towersey Playing Fields Accounts – clarification (Cllr. Tim Shreeve)

  2. Parish Business –

    For Information: Meeting held in Towersey with Oxfordshire County Council Highways Engagement Team on 19th March 2025. Matters discussed included:-

    * Dangerous overtaking on the derestricted part of Kingsey Road outside the residental premises named “The Pump House” reference to resident Richard Green.

    * Speeding past the residences at the entrance to the 30MPH section on Thame Road adjacent Helpful Hirings. – reference resident Rachael Britnell.

    * Manor Road danger to ambulatory pedestrians and animals – dogs/horses etc, vehicles failing to stop at the Crossroads – claims that they did not see the signs? or road markings

    *Chinnor Road – coming from Chinnor direction – traffic speeding up after the SID and generally ignoring the 20MPH posted limit. What can we do ? As this is a major walking route to/from the Phoenix trail with no footpath

    * Windmill Road – excessively large HGVs damaging the verges as they should not be using narrow country lane type roads rather they should use the main classified roads etc).

    * Rat Run through the parish built up areas – due to issues at the roundabout in Thame – ring road junction with Kingsey Road B4012 and Thyrop way – many drivers in the morning and evening use Windmill Road, Thame road, and Chinnor Road through the village as a bypass to avoid this roundabout – most exceed the speed limits and pay little attention to the fact they are on a country road in a residential area.

    * Failed Road surface– most of Windmill Road outside the 20MPH signs towards Kingsey Road.

    * Failed previous repairs on Windmill Road to road edge despite the road edge being not very old as was replaced under an OCC scheme. Latest proposed repair does not even cover the current damage – FIXMYSTREET “Council ref:ENQ251038230 ” and “Council ref:ENQ251041254 ” and “Council ref:ENQ23946670 ” refers

    * Pavement replacement on Windmill Road between Thame Road and the close on the left –FIXMYSTREET “Council ref:ENQ23975247 ” and response from OCC was “Thank you for your enquiry, this issue has been assessed as needing a full footway scheme to resolve and is programmed for the 24/25 footway schemes implementation. State changed to: Investigation complete . Posted by Oxfordshire County Council at 12:18, Mon 19 February 2024


    The pavement was marked in blue paint out where edge kerbs needed replaced and cambers adjusted (paint on highway) and the scheme appeared on OCC workplan map (screen photo) for 2024 but has disappeared ? What is the status please ?

    ————————————————————————————————————-

    * SID – the replacement unit has been installed on Thame Road and commissioned.

    * Bench at Pond: Delivery of the new bench is awaited. Clarendon 1800 steel in green.

    * Ridgeway Council Proposal – Introducing Ridgeway Council, an ambitious proposal to create a brand-new council that delivers high-quality services, improves financial resilience and value-for-money, and ensures it is able to maintain truly local representation.

 

An initial proposal has been submitted on behalf of West Berkshire Council and the district councils in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse for the creation of a new unitary council that would see the three areas combined. The move is in response to a government invitation following its announcement in December 2024 to end two-tier authorities like those in Oxfordshire.

As part of the shake-up of local councils, the government has also indicated all unitary authorities will need to serve around 500,000 residents or more, which will require West Berkshire Council – which covers around 170,000 people – to merge with neighbouring councils.

 

Ridgeway Council forms one half of a two-unitary council proposal for Oxfordshire, with the other half made up from the district council areas of West Oxfordshire, Oxford City and Cherwell.  West Oxfordshire District Council and Cherwell District Council have confirmed they will be developing the North Oxfordshire Council half of the proposal, strongly complementing the Ridgeway Council work being carried out by West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and the Vale, coming together to create a proposal for two unitaries covering what is currently Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

* Reminder: Local Grant funding re flood authority – deadline is Friday 18 April 2025

* Parish Council owned storage unit at the Playing Fields – the insurance bill has been received as expected from the treasurer of the Playing Fields Committee.

* Litter pick on Sunday 23 March 2025 was very well supported by residents and helpers and was very successful. The Parish Council appreciates this level of public support.

* Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice – S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure and “No Waiting” restriction at Towersey, Chinnor Road.

In the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the

road and impose a ‘No Waiting’ restriction as detailed above to facilitate surface dressing works.

A temporary Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 4 June

2025. The anticipated completion date is 8 June 2025, 04:00 to 18:00 hours.

9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS