Outline planning application for the development of up to 70 homes (including affordable housing), new vehicular access, associated parking and landscaping (all matters reserved except for access). (SODC ref P25/S1431/O)

The Committee considered a report on an adjacent authority consultation from South Oxfordshire District Council on the above application. An update report was tabled at the meeting giving details of the potential impact on vegetation of a proposed cycle link connection onto Highdown Hill Road.  The update report recommended that an additional comment be made regarding requesting an updated arboricultural method statement.

Comments and objections were received and considered.

It was suggested at the meeting that the Section 106 financial contribution towards traffic signals and junction improvements in recommendation 2 in the original report should be increased from £50,000 to £150,000, and that the Section 106 financial contribution towards increasing capacity at GP surgeries within the Borough in recommendation 4 should be widened out to also include other healthcare services to allow more flexibility.

Resolved –

(1)       That South Oxfordshire District Council be informed that, should they resolve to grant outline planning permission for the proposed development, Reading Borough Council raised objections to the proposal for the reasons set out in the original report, unless the recommendations were met as set out in the original report, as amended by the update report, with the amendment in recommendation 2 of the S106 contribution from £50,000 to £150,000, and with the amendment in recommendation 4 of the S106 contribution to be for GP surgeries or other healthcare services;

(2)       That South Oxfordshire District Council be sent a copy of the reports for their information and use.