Hobby Horse Childrens Centre Mewburn Road Banbury OX16 1PA

1. 1.Condition 3 Notwithstanding the letter to the local planning authority dated 17.10.2024 indicating that "a small working group" had been formed "to look at the options, focusing on the viability of relocation to our main campus or seeking alternatives elsewhere", insufficient information has been submitted to meet the requirements of Condition 3 for the submission of an Initial Plan to outline the strategy and timeline for securing permanent premises for the nursery school use and the removal of the temporary buildings. As such, it has not been demonstrated that the applicant has made consistent and demonstrable efforts to secure permanent premises for the nursery school use or maintained regular communication with the Local Planning Authority to monitor and support this process, and the development is therefore contrary to Policies BSC7 and ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011- 2031, saved Policy C28 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and Government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework. Condition 4 While the applicant submitted a letter to the local planning authority dated 26.06.2025, which was within 12 months of the date of the planning permission, the letter did not (a) provide sufficient update on the actions taken towards securing permanent premises, (b) provide sufficient details on the progress made in identifying, negotiating, or acquiring a permanent site, (c) describe any challenges or setbacks encountered, or proposed solutions, and (d) provide an updated timeline reflecting any changes to the original plan. In addition, this discharge of condition application was not accompanied by an Annual Progress Summary as required by Condition 4, nor has a Final Report been submitted to provide a summary of the entire process, details of the secured permanent premises, including location and specifications, confirmation of the intended timeline for moving to the permanent premises, or sufficient reasons for not securing permanent premises and the future plan for the nursery school. As such, it has not been demonstrated that the applicant has made consistent and demonstrable efforts to secure permanent premises for the nursery school use or maintained regular communication with the Local Planning Authority to monitor and support this process, and the development is therefore contrary to Policies BSC7 and ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011- 2031, saved Policy C28 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and Government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework. In accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) and paragraph 39 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Cherwell Council has given consideration to whether amendments or additional information would overcome its concerns with the application, but unfortunately it has concluded that it would not be possible to resolve those concerns within the scope and timescales of this application. Cherwell Council has resolved that the application proposals do not amount to sustainable development and consent must accordingly be refused. The case officer’s report and recommendation in respect of this application provides a detailed assessment of the merits of the application when considered against current planning policy and guidance, including consideration of the issues raised by the comments received from consultees and members of the public.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

OX16 1PA

Application type

Discharge Of Conditions

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Banbury

Date validated

16 January 2026

Target decision date

13 March 2026

Statutory period

56 days

Documents

9