Case Study: New homes & office space, South Oxfordshire District Council

Background

Our client had lodged a planning application with SODC in August 2020 for 43 apartments and 221 sqm new office space on the site of light industrial and low-grade existing office space on Newtown Road, Henley on Thames. The site is located on a business park and had been marketed for commercial use for 18 months with no interest and had been vacant for over 10 years.

Challenge

The adopted Henley Neighbourhood Plan designated the site for employment use only, with Henley Town Council objecting to the proposals on this basis. The local ward members, one of which sat on the Planning Committee, were also objecting on this basis.

Solution

SP Broadway were instructed a month before committee to undertake political engagement and to explain the advantages of a mixed-use regeneration of a brownfield site in this location. We drafted and prepared a briefing letter to Planning Committee members, highlighting the existing buildings were outdated and not in demand. This was followed up with telephone conversations to committee members highlighting 6 key advantages of the redevelopment:

  • 43 apartments in a sustainable location, 15 minutes’ walk from Henley station
  • 221 sqm of brand-new office space, ideal for small businesses and start-ups
  • 8 affordable apartments provided on-site on a shared ownership basis
  • High-quality, brand new homes instead of an office-to-residential conversion
  • Maintaining an employment use on-site instead of a wholly residential proposal
  • Bringing a vacant brownfield site back into a productive, mixed use

Result

Despite objections from the Town Council and local ward members, the Planning Committee voted 6-2 in favour of the application, with 1 abstention.

Case Studies

Politics of Planning

Former Conservative Minister for Housing and Planning calls for Green Belt Review
December 8, 2023
Autumn Budget 2023
November 24, 2023
Review: Herefordshire breakfast with Cllr Elissa Swinglehurst
November 21, 2023

Politics of Planning is our weekly planning update, bringing you the news and analysis you need to plot a successful planning course though fast-changing political waters.tyu

   

Events

Cllr Matt Furniss
Cabinet Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Growth, Surrey County Council
Online via Microsoft Teams
7.45am - 10am
December 14, 2023
Cllr Richard Clewer
Leader of Wiltshire Council
Online via Microsoft Teams
7.45am - 10am
January 24, 2024
Cllr Satvir Kaur
Leader of Southampton City Council
Online via Microsoft Teams
7.45am - 10am
February 28, 2024

Throughout the year we host roundtable discussions between leading politicians and key figures within the development industry.

See All Events