Watlington storage unit permitted by district council planners

South Oxfordshire District Council’s planning committee approved the scheme, submitted by Northern Accommodation Providers Ltd, for Watlington Yard, in Britwell Road. 

It was brought before the planning committee due to Oxfordshire County Council’s highways liaison officer sending an objection. 

The planning officers recommended it for permission. In their report to the committee, it said: “The proposed development would be acceptable in principle in accordance with relevant development plan policies, supplementary planning guidance and government guidance.

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Watlington Yard plan (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council) “Subject to the following conditions, it is considered that the proposal would not result in significant visual harm, the relationship with nearby residential properties would be acceptable and the proposal would not result in increased risk to highway safety. The application would also be acceptable in relation to ecology, drainage, contamination and sustainability.”

Thomas Cockhill, transport development management officer for Oxfordshire County Council, said: “The main issue appears to be the use of a personal condition for the site in the interests of vehicle trip reduction given the substandard access onto the B4009 Britwell Road a busy, fast classified road. The Highway Authority maintains its recommendation for refusal.”

During the meeting on Wednesday, September 11, the planning officer said a condition was in place to manage vehicle movements.