You can read more about the report on the VOWH site here

You can see details of what they have in store for us and other poor villages here Strategic Sites February 2014

And here is a picture taken recently from the proposed site, surface water is most definitely a problem here:

If you think you can help us fighting this in any way, please contact us, let us keep Sutton Courtenay rural.

KSCR

This was despite KSCR getting an expert witness to state that the drainage of the site had not been properly examined by the developer and there was unknown flooding risk to surrounding and downstream properties as a consequence of the development.  Indeed our expert, a Senior Lecturer at University College London specialising in flood hazard, stated that  “the developer’s assessment does not identify the wider catchment area of the Ginge Brook (which receives water from the site) and the potential impact on downstream properties. This view is required for a development of this nature”.

The planning committee chose to ignore this advice.  Indeed our own County Councillor Richard Webber was “on the horns of a dilemma” and could not draw himself to vote against the application. The application was passed 8 votes in favour with 6 abstentions.

With the remainder of the Amey development, Pye, Redrow and Hobbyhorse Lane we now can’t stop an extra 500 cars being on the roads of the village within a couple of years and at least an extra 30 pupils wanting to attend the primary school.  There are other significant new developments likely to be applied for around the village as well. The government’s planning guidance is heavily biased in favour of developers at the moment and greenfield sites yield larger profits than brownfield.

On other matters, the mega-warehouse scheme next to the village is now under consideration by the Vale and the Redrow development for 65 houses north of Milton Road, which was given outline planning permission in the spring, has now come back for full planning permission.  Although the Redrow development can’t be stopped, you can comment on the more detailed plans on the Vale website, references P13/V2321/RM, P13/V2324/DIS. Lastly, the FCC application for its Waste Transfer Facility is likely to be considered at the OCC Planning Committee on Monday 2 Dec at 2pm.

The only slight ray of hope was a concession the Vale planning committee made at the October meeting in which the combined effect on the village of all this development carnage will be considered at some stage in the future.  Unfortunately great damage to the rural nature of the village has already been and continues to be done.

If you can help KSCR in any way please get in touch. Any legal expertise would be very welcome.  Lastly, thanks to the continued support that is being given to KSCR. It is greatly appreciated.

Council Chambers
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE

This application is in addition to the full application which was refused and subsequently appealed.
We sincerely hope that you will join us in making our objections to this planning applications clear to the planning committee . KSCR will make a formal objection during the planning committee meeting.

We will be meeting “underneath the arches” by the Guild Hall in Abingdon from 18:00 this Wednesday 30th October to meet councilors as they arrive for the the Planning Committee meeting that will consider approving the application.

We really need and look forward to your support, this may be our last chance to stop it.

Thank you in advance.
Kind Regards

KSCR

You can read the article here.

Kind Regards
KSCR

They are involved in consultation at all levels, national, local, and (increasingly) neighbourhood.  However, they do not necessarily pick up all applications, unless consulted by Local Authorities, and LAs are not bound to take all their observations on board. It can be hard for TW to cope with planning if applications come in piecemeal fashion, as happens at present, and to be fully aware of the cumulative effect. For example in SC, they seemed to be unaware of, and certainly could not comment on the two developments on the Ameys & RC Church sites,  as opposed to the ones currently under discussion.

If they consider the existing network inadequate for a development they can impose a Grampian-style condition. This means that there can be no occupation of the buildings until this condition is met. However, this still allows for houses to be built, but not occupied- or even for some to be occupied if the system can cope.

Sewerage: there have been quite a few instances of blockages in SC, but it is hard for TW to assess what is causing these- for example, whether they are due to misuse by residents.  As far as the new developments in Milton Rd are concerned, they think that the system can be upgraded either by enlarging the present pipe or adding an extra line.

The sewage flows north through the village & then via the pumping station to sewage works near Drayton.  Concern was expressed by Bill Hanks about what happens to the water from these works, in view of the risk of flooding.  But flooding is the responsibility of the Environment Agency, and TW do not deal with this. There seems therefore to be a risk of the problem falling between two Authorities. They also said that under new legislation, LAs are to be responsible for lesser water-courses, as opposed to rivers.

When pressed on the possibility of the new warehouse they agreed that sewerage could be a cause for concern. At present they have not been able to study the details.

Water: they are not aware of problems in SC, but Lesley & others raised the question of low water pressure.  If there are problems of this kind residents should report them.

In general, where upgrading is needed, it can be an open question whether the developer is required to pay for this- or it is left by LAs to TW- who pass on the cost to the customer!

Nicholas Richardson

If you missed the presentation you can see a PDF here
Presentation on Giant Warehouse

Kind Regards

KSCR Committe

There will be a public meeting at Sutton Courtenay Village Hall this Saturday, September 14th, from 15.00 to 16.30. to discuss the latest threat to our village:

A warehouse development the size of 10 football pitches with approx. 1,400 HGV lorry movements a day… all within less than 100m of the nearest houses of our village!

690+ parking spaces… just think what that will do for traffic through our village!

And guess where the sewage will be going?

You can read more about this application, and more importantly register your objection before September 20, 2013 here.

If you value our village and wish to keep Sutton Courtenay rural now is the time to make your voice heard – OBJECT!

Kind Regards

KSCR Committe

Dear supporter,

We have received the following invite from Ed Vaizey who will chair a meeting with Ed Boles, Minister for Planning, in Wantage. Please attend if you can, this is an important opportunity to make our feelings known to the politicians.

From: LANGLEY, Anne [mailto:LANGLEYA@parliament.uk]
Sent: 23 August 2013 15:34
Subject: MP: Planning Minister to Wantage constituency

Over recent months I have received many letters and emails from constituents who are concerned about the process through which decisions on large-scale planning applications are being made.   I have taken several opportunities to relay these concerns to Nick Boles MP, the Minister responsible for planning matters, and I am very pleased that Nick has now agreed to visit the constituency to hear about the various issues for himself.

Thank you very much for the support which led to Pye Homes being refused planning permission to build 34 houses north of Milton Road.  As we expected, Pye homes have registered an appeal to this decision.

They have also lodged an application for outline planning consent at the same site, in parallel to their appeal.  The previous application was for full consent. They clearly think this two pronged approach will wear us down and enhance their chances of success.  Pye are leaving no stone unturned to achieve their objective of expanding the village, and the government is not putting any barrier in the way to stop this and other aggressive developments – instead it is encouraging it.  The floodgates will open if this is approved, Sutton Courtenay will no longer be rural.

There are two things we would request you do to help us to stop this and other unnecessary developments.

1.  Write an email/letter as soon as possible (i.e. today) to the adjudicator of the appeal to encourage a Public Enquiry to be set up to decide on this matter.  If we don’t go to public enquiry, the matter will be decided behind closed doors and the residents of Sutton Courtenay will not have any opportunity to have a say in the decision.  The matter is too complicated and far too important to the village to be decided without us having a clear voice.  The address of the adjudicator is given below and the appeal reference is: APP/V3120/A/13/2201473. Deadline 12th August.

The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/10 Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN

 Or online at the planning portal website www.planningportal.gov.uk/planning/appeals

 Please email your request for Public Enquiry to: enquiries@pins.gsi.gov.uk

2.   Register your objection to the new Pye application P13/1543/O through our website www.kscr.org.uk.  This is a fresh application so your objection must be written again, the reasons for refusal have not changed since the last time, some examples are given on the KSCR website. Deadline for objections is the 21st August.

P.S.  Please take action ASAP; we really count on your support in our struggle to Keep Sutton Courtenay Rural.

 Thank you very much for taking the time to support us.

The KSCR Committee
Email: keepsuttoncourtenayrural@yahoo.co.uk

You can read about the appeal here ,you can object again, but the inspector responsible for the appeal will already have a copy of your original objection so…

Please register your request for a public inquiry with the VOWH planning department, the evidence for and against this application are complex and contradictory so require a full and open debate before a decision is reached.

In another surreal twist, Pye Homes has filed another application for the exact same site!… Ensure you register your objection to this new application here…

Please take action, we count on your support in the fight to keep Sutton Courtenay Rural.

KSCR