Decision made on 37 retirement homes plan for Woodstock

Woodstock in west Oxfordshire is set to get the new buildings in Rye Grass after planning permission was granted earlier this year to demolish the existing ones and replace them with 37 replacement apartment units.

Following this, the application agent Cottsway Housing Association, submitted a new plan on behalf of the applicant which amends part of the original proposal by including the addition of air source heat pumps.

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The planned development. (Image: West Oxfordshire District Council.)

In its notice of refusal, issued on July 25, principal planner at West Oxfordshire District Council, Joan Desmond, said: "The Local Authority would require a new planning application for the proposed changes on the basis that the proposed amendments include the addition of air source heat pumps with potential noise implications which would be materially different to the approved scheme.

"The proposed changes therefore cannot be dealt with through the process of a non-material amendment.

"I therefore confirm that the drawings submitted with this application are not acceptable as a non-material amendment to permission."

Woodstock. (Image: Oxford Mail)

The new 37 apartments being built will be age-restricted for those aged 55 and over and contained in four new apartment blocks together with associated works, amenity spaces and parking.

An applicant planning paper says the current site is brownfield land containing 18 retirement homes, warden's house and provides 14 car parking spaces.

The existing housing is mainly single-storey with just the corner block being two-storey in height.

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