Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors V J Bell, D Bown, S J Burwood, S Dodsley, J Driver, L J Haywood, C P Morley, R H Siddall, U G C Siddall-Norman, N D Spenceley, W Stamp CC, J C Stilts, N J Swindle, S White and L L Wiffen.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the District Planning Committee held on 2 September 2026 (copy TO FOLLOW).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the District Planning Committee held on 2 September 2026 be approved and confirmed.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registrable interests and Non-Registrable Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraph 9 and Appendix B of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

Councillor S J N Morgan declared that they knew the applicant for Agenda Item 5 - 25/00607/OUTM Land 100M East Of 53 Seagers, Great Totham.

Councillor M F L Durham declared that they were an acquaintance of the landowner for Agenda Item 5 - 25/00607/OUTM Land 100M East Of 53 Seagers, Great Totham.

Councillor K M H Lagan declared that they had a presumption about Agenda Item 5 - 25/00607/OUTM Land 100M East Of 53 Seagers, Great Totham and would leave the chamber for this item and return when it had been concluded.

At this point in the meeting Councillor Lagan left the chamber, in accordance with his earlier declaration.

To consider the report of the Director of Place, Planning and Growth, (copy enclosed, Addendum to be circulated)*.

An Addendum was published prior to the meeting outlining changes and additional information in section 5 of the report. Also, a further consultation response was received.

The Officer presented the report. Following this, an Objector Filipe Henriques and the Agent Ellen Nicholson addressed the Committee.

A discussion then ensued between Officers and Members in relation to Open Space Protection, the Impact of National Planning Policy, Education and School Capacity, Healthcare Infrastructure, Construction Impacts, Public Transport, Highway Safety and Landscape Harm.

Following this the Chairperson Councillor R G Pratt proposed that the application be approved in line with Officers’ recommendations. This was duly seconded. Upon a vote being taken this proposal was approved.

RESOLVED

(i)             that the application be APPROVED and authority delegated to the Director of Place, Planning and Growth to grant outline planning permission subject to:

(a)           the applicant entering into a legal agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to secure the compliant Heads of Terms set out below;

(b)           the planning conditions set out below.

HEADS OF TERMS OF ANY SECTION 106 AGREEMENT

Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing Scheme, including:

·                Delivery of 40% affordable housing with a 75% affordable/social rented / 25% shared ownership

·                Provision of affordable home ownership products in line with national policy Affordable units to be delivered by a Registered Provider/Housing Association recognised and regulated by Homes England

·                Gross costs (rent/service charge) to be within the Council’s Strategic Tenancy Strategy

·                All affordable units to meet Nationally Described Space Standards

·                An Affordable Housing Scheme detailing tenure, gross costs (rent/service charge), and allocation of units to be agreed with the Council.

Accessible Dwellings:

·                At least 80 per cent of open market units to be constructed to Building Regulations Approved Document M requirements for M4(2) (Adaptable and Accessible Dwellings).

·                At least 10 per cent of both the affordable/social rented and shared ownership dwellings to be constructed to Building Regulations Approved Document M requirements for M4(3) (Wheelchair User Dwellings) and 80 per of both the affordable/social rented and I shared ownership dwellings to be constructed to Building Regulations Approved Document M requirements for M4(2) (Adaptable and Accessible Dwellings).

·                Housing delivery and monitoring to include notification of the Council upon completion of the first dwelling and an annual build-out report on the completed units that preceding year and anticipated completions for the following year.

Education

Financial contributions being secured through planning obligations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the report of the Director of Place, Planning and Growth, (copy enclosed, Addendum to be circulated)*.

An Addendum was published prior to the meeting containing additional consultation responses and applicant information. It also contained more information relating to the flood risk sequential test, foul water drainage and highways.

The Officer presented the report. Following this an Objector, Emma Derham, a representative of Latchingdon Parish Council Councillor Phil Simcock and the Agent Matt Driscoll addressed the Committee.

Following this a discussion between Councillor A Fittock and Officers ensued focusing on the Sequential Test for flood risk. The Councillor raised concerns over the robustness of the assessment of alternative sites, he suggested that several alternative sites appeared capable of accommodating the proposed housing and questioned whether the applicant had applied overly restrictive criteria. He asked why the Inspector’s previous conclusions had been given limited weight. Officers responded that the applicant had carried out a district-wide search for alternative sites. They considered that the submitted assessment, together with the additional information provided, represented a proportionate response to the sequential test and addressed the matters raised by the Planning Inspector.

Councillor Fittock maintained that the purpose of the sequential test was to direct development towards areas at lower risk of flooding and did not consider that this had been achieved, and that passing the sequential test was a fundamental policy requirement. He questioned whether the proposal should proceed when alternative sites without comparable flooding or infrastructure constraints might be available.

Councillor S J N Morgan then proposed that this application be deferred so further assessment and information for the sequential test could be provided. This was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken this was approved.

RESOLVED that the application be DEFFERED to a future meeting of this Committee to allow further information and assessment in relation to the sequential test to be carried out.