1.	APPLICATION SITE AND LOCALITY 

1.1.	The application site is part of Bicester Golf and Country Club which includes a golf course, hotel and other leisure facilities.  The complex is relatively large and in 2015 a large extension was permitted to the hotel (15/01068/F). The site is located in the open countryside in a relatively isolated position and is situated to the south west of the village of Chesterton.
1.2.	The M40 motorway exists immediately to the west of the site.
1.3.	The land which forms the current application site is currently unmanaged and works appear to have commenced in relation to the construction of the proposed swimming lake (approved under separate consent).  
1.4.	Planning permission has previously been granted for an assault course on the site (13/01492/F) which does not appear to have been implemented. A large profiled metal building also exists in the northern part of the site.  This building was permitted under 14/01598/F to house an activity hall which would be used for fitness and exercise such as circuit training, a climbing wall and other activities. This building is largely constructed however it is not yet in use. 
2.	DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
2.1.	The current application seeks a non-material amendment to 15/01068/F to change the alignment of the windows and doors on all elevations of the extension to be more uniform.
3.	RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY

3.1.	The following planning history is considered relevant to the current proposal:
Application Ref.	Proposal	Decision	
	
15/01068/F	Erection of two storey extension to existing hotel to form 62 new bedrooms (60 net increase)	Application Permitted	
4.	PRE-APPLICATION DISCUSSIONS

4.1.	No pre-application discussions have taken place with regard to this proposal.

5.	RESPONSE TO PUBLICITY

5.1.	This application has not been publicised. 
6.	RESPONSE TO CONSULTATION

6.1.	No consultations were made in regard to this application. 
7.	APPRAISAL

7.1.	The amendments proposed in this application would not alter the size or scale of the overall extension and would therefore not have any impacts beyond what has already been approved.

7.2.	The changes relate to the positioning of the fenestration on all elevations of the approved extension to make them more uniform. It is noted within the officer’s report that concerns were raised regarding the original positioning of the fenestration during the planning application but the applicants declined to amend this aspect of the application. Permission was granted despite these concerns with the officer justifying approval on the grounds that; “whilst this is considered to be a little unfortunate, having regard to the fact that the existing building is a modern building, and the extension is generally not visually prominent from the public domain (including the public right of way) and it will be set some distance from the boundary of the Chesterton Conservation Area, it is on balance considered acceptable”.

7.3.	Given that this non-material amendment seeks to bring the design and layout of the fenestration back in line with the original building it is considered that it is a positive amendment to the scheme and is minor in nature.

7.4.	Overall there would be fewer windows on the extension than previously approved however these windows will be larger in scale. This will give a neutral impact as the area of the elevations covered with fenestration will remain the same.

7.5.	Having regard to the above, it is considered that the alterations are minor in their nature and would fulfil the criteria of a non-material amendment.

8.	CONCLUSION
8.1.	In summary, having regard to the circumstances of the proposed change, and for the reasons above, the proposed amendment is considered to fulfil the criteria for a non-material amendment.

9.	RECOMMENDATION
Approval – In accordance with drawings A30-31 B (Proposed Courtyard Elevations); and A30-30 B (Proposed Elevations) Project No. IALN17-0083	

Case Officer: 	Lewis Knox	DATE: 28.12.2017	
Checked By: 	Alex Keen	DATE: 28.12.2017