Plans for Witney hotel staff parking on North Leigh FC pitch

Eynsham Hall Hotel in North Leigh near Witney is currently undergoing renovation work.

The Elizabethan-style manor house was built in 1904-8 by the Mason family who made their fortune in copper mining.

London-based hotelier Ennismore Limited is demolishing modern extensions and replacing them as well as building a new East Wing.

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The hotel with conference facilities, spa and swimming pool complex, went on the market in 2018 with a guide price of £8.25million.

It was bought by Ennismore founder and co-chief executive Sharan Pasricha who will be opening the property as Estelle Manor. 

E H Hotels has applied to West Oxfordshire District Council for planning permission to use grounds at next-door North Leigh FC for a 120-space temporary car park for staff until the scheme is fully complete.

Planning documents say the car park will keep staff and guest traffic separate and North Leigh FC will maintain access to the grounds and other training pitches.

A design and access statement reads: "The temporary car park would be solely for the use of the Eynsham Hall staff with parking provided separately for members of North Leigh FC."

Supporting information prepared by Mode Transport Planning says North Leigh FC was recently granted planning permission for a 3G pitch.

No objections were submitted to the scheme, however, North Leigh Parish Council raised concerns about access from the A4095 which has limited signage and no pedestrian crossing.

The parish council also raised the risk to pedestrian safety because of the increase in traffic to the club.

Mode Transport Planning said its drawings demonstrate that suitable visibility can be achieved in both directions from the football club access for the speed limit which is 50mph on the A4095. 

The hotel is expected to accommodate up to 250 on-site staff, 150 of which would be full-time with the remaining 100 on a more casual basis.

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Mode estimated peak hour vehicle generation on a weekday between 7am and 8am should be 22 arrivals and four departures, between 8am and 9am 11 arrivals and no departures and between 5pm and 6pm two arrivals and nine departures.

An Eynsham Hall-branded staff minibus will pick up staff and transport them to the hotel in time for the beginning of shifts so "the car park will not result in an increase in the number of pedestrians crossing the A4095," it said.

Planning papers add that "this arrangement will also significantly reduce the likelihood of pedestrian and car driver conflicts at the site access.

"In view of the above, this technical note has demonstrated that there are no highways-related issues arising from the proposals and therefore, the scheme is recommended for approval."