UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Upton Parish Council
Held on Thursday 3rd July 2025 at 7.00pm
St Mary’s Church, Upton
Present:
Cllrs Francoise Yates (FY) (Chair), Matthew Talbot (MT), Chris Seelig (CS)
In attendance: Benjamin Shaw (Clerk), 31 members of the public
- Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs Emma Watts-Lay (EWL) and David Beckles (DB).
- Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest made in relation to the agenda items.
- Open Forum
The Chair suspended the usual public speaking time limits, with agreement from all councillors, due to the high level of public attendance and interest. Public participation lasted approximately 60 minutes, during which multiple residents shared views on planning matters, particularly regarding planning application P24/V2170/FUL.
The Clerk reminded attendees of the Council’s duty under the Equality Act 2010 and reinforced the need for respectful, planning-based language.
Concerns raised included:
- The appropriateness of development in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
- Site access, drainage and flood risks (Flood Zone 3)
- Infrastructure pressure and lack of amenities (schools, healthcare, waste)
- Enforcement concerns and retrospective application confusion
- Visual and environmental impact
- Need for legal or professional representation
Councillors confirmed that Upton Parish Council had already requested the District Council call-in the application for determination by committee.
A show of hands indicated unanimous public support (28 in favour, 3 observers) for the Parish Council to object to the application.
- Planning Applications
4.1 P25/V1188/DIS – Pentreen, Stream Road, Upton OX11 9JG
Application to discharge Condition 7 (Drainage Details) of P24/V0675/HH.
Resolved: Council had no comment on the application.
Proposed: Cllr FY | Seconded: Cllr MT | Vote: Unanimous
4.2 P24/V2170/FUL – Land at Wattle Cottage Farm, Prospect Road, Upton OX11 9HT
Change of use from equestrian to a mixed equestrian and Gypsy/Traveller site for 4 pitches.
Resolved: Council resolved to object to the application on the following grounds:
- Inappropriate development in an AONB
- Location within Flood Zone 3
- Lack of suitable amenities and infrastructure
- Concerns regarding retrospective and unauthorised development
- Conflicts with Local Plan 2031 (including Core Policy 27)
Proposed: Cllr FY | Seconded: Cllr CS | Vote: Unanimous
Meeting Closed: 8.02pm