From: Public Access DC Comments Sent: 21 April 2008 18:05 To: DC Secretaries Subject: FW: PublicAccess for Planning - Application Comments (08/00716/OUT) Dan Birch Systems Support And Development Officer ICT and Information Services Cherwell District Council Ext 3714 Direct Dial (01295) 753714 mailto:danny.birch@cherwell-dc.gov.uk www.cherwell.gov.uk -----Original Message----- From: publicaccess@cherwell-dc.gov.uk [mailto:publicaccess@cherwell-dc.gov.uk] Sent: 21 April 2008 16:33 To: Public Access DC Comments Subject: PublicAccess for Planning - Application Comments (08/00716/OUT) PublicAccess for Planning - Application Comments (08/00716/OUT) "Somerton Parish Council" has used the PublicAccess for Planning website to submit their comments on a Planning Application. You have received this message because you are the Case Officer for this application or because this is a designated mailbox for PublicAccess comments submissions. Comments were submitted at 21/04/2008 16:33:11 Application Summary ------------------- Application Number: 08/00716/OUT Address: Heyford Park Camp Road Upper Heyford Bicester Oxfordshire OX25 5HD Proposal: OUTLINE application for new settlement of 1075 dwellings, together with associated works and facilities including employment uses, community uses, school, playing fields and other physical and social infrastructure. Case Officer: Jenny Barker Customer Details ---------------- Name: Somerton Parish Council Address: As per the address on File Postcode: OX25 6LP Comments -------- Submission Type: Customer objects to the Planning Application. Comments: We have reviewed the application and understand it is that is the same application as that submitted in November 07. Therefore our objections raised to that Application are the same and as relevant for this application. Our views are available at: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcfjz83b_18c8b9jf The text is reporduced below: Somerton Parish Council: Planning Application Response: Upper Heyford Date: 4th December, 2007. Status: Reviewed and Approved Introduction This document sets out the views of Somerton Parish Council in response to the Outline Planning Application submitted by North Oxfordshire Consortium ("NOC") on 6th November, 2007 to Cherwell District Council and discussed at a Parish Council meeting on Monday 26th November, 2007. Our views fall into four main areas which are (in order of Importance): (i) Traffic Volumes, (ii) Use of and Access to the Existing Buildings in our part of the Flying Field, (iii)the Fence and (iv) Low Cost Housing Provision. Traffic Traffic though the Village This has caused the biggest concern of the residents. As you know, we have (with kind assistance of CDC and OCC) implemented traffic calming measures within the village which we managed to achieve through a combination of assistance from OCC and CDC and our own resources. However, these are widely viewed as not really addressing the current problems of the Speeding vehicles using the village as a Rat-Run and large lorries getting diverted via the village. From our unskilled reading of the Transport Assessment, it predicts a 150% to 200% Increase* in the volume of traffic going through Somerton which cause a significant increase to the danger of the residents due to speeding as well as causing a serious detriment to the peace and rural charm of the village. The documentation contains no specific plans or amounts specified for Traffic Calming in Somerton with a vague commitment to reviewing this from what we can read. Our conclusion is to register this as an Objection to the Submitted plan and request that (i) the current design be adjusted to reflect our concerns above and (ii) a firm committment to funding of additional measures we require to counter this severe deterioration to the quality of life in our Parish. Additional Bus Services Many people are in favour of enhanced bus services citing the current infrequency as reason why they would not use the Services. The proposals seem very unspecific about additional provision for the residents of Somerton. Use of the Former Buildings The Parish Council strongly supports the general aims of the Comprehensive Planning Brief ("Brief") and the verdict of the Planning Inspector about the defining the characteristics of the Cold War Landscape - the maintenance of the "Air of Foreboding" and its Openness. The presented proposal seems to be out of line compared to the Brief passed this year in two areas that we can see - Vehicular Movements per Day and Availability of certain buildings for commercial use. The Parish Council Objects to the deviations from the Comprehensive Planning Brief. The Parish Council is very supportive of the following statements about the controls proposed for tenants of the buildings on the Flying Field with one modification: i. No external storage will be permitted except where explicitly consented by the Planning Authority. ii. No signage will be permitted without landlord consent and without advertisement consent being granted except where explicitly consented by the Planning Authority. iii. No external lighting will be permitted save for that which already exists or that which is consented by the Local Planning Authority. iv. No car parking will be permitted except in designated areas save for up to 3/4 car parking spaces adjacent to each Hardened Aircraft Shelter. v. No Lorries or trailers will be kept externally within the Flying Field for more than 48 hours. Proposals Received for five Buildings: 3052, 3053, 3054, 3055 (HASs) and 3135 These will be responded to online . Fence and Public Access The Fence has been an emotive issue for many years as it appears incongruous to the rural landscape. However, the Parish Council sees the following benefits of retaining the Fence in the form proposed (i.e. removal of the barbed wire and removal of the Western End down to Heyford Road): Maintaining the "air of foreboding" and openness in line with the Planning Inspectors recorded views of a Cold War Site, It is a stark, visible reminder of the Cold War Era and should be visible from within the Flying Field. Saves each building having additional security measures so outward appearances are the same as those in the Cold War era. It provides protection for the wildlife established there - there are proven cases where wildlife has been allowed to flourish because man has been kept out (firing ranges etc.) otherwise, there would be increased litter and wildlife destruction due to people accessing the area and also being inconsiderate with dogs. Provision has been made for Open space with the Country Wildlife Area as part of Ave's ditch path reinstatement. The most objectionable part (the fence coming down to the Heyford Road) has been addressed. Low Cost Housing The Parish Council is supportive of these ideas and requests that a robust and effective monitoring system is put in place to ensure these proposals are carried out. Neil Good Clerk to Somerton Parish Council. PublicAccess for Planning. (c) CAPS Solutions Ltd.