Oxford Preservation Trust Quarterly Plans Report October December 2011

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1 Oxford Preservation Trust Quarterly Plans Report October December 2011 PLANNING ACTIVITIES The Trust continued to receive weekly lists of planning applications from Oxford City Council, Cherwell District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council (VoWH) and South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC), together with planning applications from Oxfordshire County Council. Lists are forwarded to individual members of the Heritage Advisory Panel and other members to cover a wide geographical area and range of expertise and, where relevant, communication is made with the Area Committees and Affiliated Groups. VoWH lists are forwarded to the Boars Hill Area Committee. Regular internal meetings take place to discuss issues and regular meetings are also held with the conservation team at Oxford City Council, with Jacquie Martinez seconded to the City Council for one day a week. 36 applications were examined by the Trust over the 3 month period. Debbie Dance continues as Chairman of the Historic Towns Forum, board member of the Oxford Strategic Partnership and Public Realm Group and member of the West End Steering Group. She is the Conservation expert on the RICS National Awards Jacquie Martinez sits on the committees of the Oxford Green Belt Network and the Listed Buildings sub-committee of the Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society. Trustees and other representatives of the Trust are members of a number of other organisations at local, regional and national levels. Oxford Preservation Trust Awards 2011: The Oxford Preservation Trust Awards Evening took place on 3 rd November 2011 at St Catherine s College. The quality and quantity of applications for the Awards this year was very high and, under the Chairmanship of Prof. Malcolm Airs, Trustee, the Panel awarded 7 plaques, twelve certificates and 7 letters of commendation to worthy projects across five judging categories; Buildings Conservation, New Buildings, Small Projects, Landscape and Environmental Enhancement and Community Award. The evening was a roaring success celebrating the contribution that such projects make to Oxford by the conservation or improvement of the built and natural environment and allowing OPT to showcase our own work. 1

2 NATIONAL ISSUES National Planning Policy Framework: OPT responded to the Department for Communities and Local Government request for consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). OPT supports the concept of a single planning document but states that any such document must recognise the diversity and complexity of planning issues and not sacrifice clarity for brevity. OPT s response focusses on issues relating to Sustainable Development, the Green Belt and the Historic Environment and requests that the Government provides clearer definitions and guidance throughout the document. At present it is our view that the document contains a number of ambiguous points that will result in confusion and the slowing down of the planning process rather than the intended speeding up. Details of this response can be found at Oxford City Council Barton Area Action Plan Proposed Submission Draft Following Consultation on the Preferred Options for the Barton Area Action Plan Oxford City Council are debated the matter on December 16. OPT had objected to the inclusion of the Ruskin Fields which is within the Old Headington Conservation Area and was being proposed for development with the area to be covered by the Action Plan. Following the public consultation it has now been removed. The Proposed Submission Draft will be submitted for joint public consultation with the Sites and Housing Development Plan in early The resulting final document will later be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval before final adoption planned for December Sites and Housing Development Plan Document Proposed Submission Draft Approval was given for consultation to take place on the Sites and Housing Development Plan Document, to take place in early 2012 to coincide with the BAAP consultation. A number of changes have been made following an earlier round of public consultation including the removal of a cemetery at Hill View Farm, Marston, the development site at Bartlemas Nursery School and the East Oxford Bowls Club, Bartlemas, all of which were sites which OPT had made representation on as being unsuitable for their proposed uses. Oxford Heritage Plan Work is now moving into the quality assessment stage. All interviews with the Oxford Strategic Partnership representing health and well-being, climate change, community cohesion and safety, and affordable housing have now taken place and responses are being analysed. This is producing some interesting and varied responses to Oxford s heritage and their interaction with 2

3 it. The Heritage Plan Website is nearing completion and will be up and running soon, which will seek to explain what Oxford s heritage is and provide easy access to a wealth of information about it as well as providing a portal from which to conduct public consultation. The View Cones Study continues to progress with 5 view assessments now completed to first draft stage. A site visit with English Heritage in December confirmed that the project is on track and provided some interesting conclusions. The Study is a joint OPT, City Council and English Heritage initiative intended to give better access and understanding of the view cones designated within the existing Oxford City Council Local Plan. Pre-application Discussions: Oxford University Press OPT were asked to review plans by Oxford University Press to increase the capacity of the their site in Jericho. The proposals aim to improve the configuration of the site, with the main addition being an extension to the south of the main building which will be accessed from Great Clarendon Street. OPT raised concerns regarding the height of the development and the potential accumulative impact of this proposal together with the large scale redevelopment taking place at the Radcliffe Infirmary Site. Submission of a formal planning application is now awaited. Land to the Rear of 9-16 Observatory Road, Templeton College Jacquie Martinez was invited to attend a site visit at Green Templeton College following a decision by the College to withdraw its planning application for a temporary sports pavilion. These proposals will see the gardens associated with 9-16 Observatory Street being taken into the College grounds. After this discussion it became clear that only part of the gardens will be affected, however, OPTs views remain unchanged. It is considered that, if allowed, a condition should be attached to any planning permission requiring the reinstatement of these gardens upon expiration of the permission. Planning Letters: 11/02216/FUL 1 Victor Street Replacing front door with window to match existing window on Victor Street. Fill in existing window on west side of house at first floor level. Concerns were raised regarding the loss of the door on the front elevation of 1 Victor Street, which would be replaced by a window. This would have set an unfortunate precedent for the future. Part Approval Front door removal refused/ West window infill approved. 3

4 11/02325/OUT and 11/02326/CAC 29 Old High Street Demolition of existing house, buildings and structures. Erection of 5 x three storey terraced houses with integral garages, parking and bin stores. OPT raised strong concerns about plans to demolish this property. Allowing a building to deteriorate and fall into disrepair is not a reason to allow demolition, but instead provides, a strong case for repair and improvement. Refused. 11/02662/FUL 28 Victor Street Proposed Replacement Windows. OPT requested that the current in-situ sash windows be repaired rather than replaced, if possible. If replacement windows are deemed necessary then they should be replaced by traditional timber sash windows. OPT reminded Oxford City Council of the Article 4 Directive recently applied to Jericho when it was designated at conservation area and requested that this be used to maintain the aesthetic and historic value of the street scene. Refused. Outcomes from previous applications: 11/01815/CAC 12A Friars Entry New student accommodation involving the part demolition of existing sub-station building fronting Red Lion Square. OPT highlighted the role that this small structures plays in the visual layout of Red Lion Square and objected to the demolition of the remaining part of the building, due to the adverse impact that would have. OPT suggested that an historic assessment of the structure be carried out and that the front of the building be saved and incorporated into the scheme. Approved. 11/01493/FUL Land to rear of 9-13 Observatory Street Concerns were raised over plans by Green Templeton College to build a temporary sports pavilion that would see the incorporation of several Observatory Street gardens into college grounds. While the gardens currently have access through to college grounds they are still very much gardens associated with the nineteenth century workers houses on Observatory Street. These proposals would change this association and minimise the historic association with these properties. OPT requested a condition to ensure that the plots and gardens are reinstated to garden plots at the end of the planning permission term. Withdrawn. 11/02078/ADV 1-4 Broad Street Display hanging sign An objection was made to proposals requesting to increase the size of the sign on the façade of 104 Broad Street, at the west end of the Street. The proposed new sign will interrupt the architectural rhythm of the façade and impose on the street scene, harming its character and appeal. Withdrawn. 4

5 APPEALS APP/G3110/A/11/ /NWF Telecommunications Mast, Walton Well Road OPT supported the city s refusal to grant planning permission for a taller mast in this sensitive position close to Port Meadow. The Appeal was by written statements. Appeal allowed 5