Description
Demolition of the existing bungalow and ancillary buildings. Erection of a two-storey building containing four dwellings (4 x 2-bedroom apartments) with associated car and cycle parking and amenity space provision. Retention of existing vehicular and pedestrian access onto Lime Grove (as amended to relocate the proposed access and reduce the ridge height of the building).
Conditions / Refusal Reasons
The application site is located in a prominent position at the junction of Lime Grove and Church Road. The proposed development, due its layout, scale and massing along with the extent of hardsurfacing and removal of existing vegetation, would result in a cramped form of development that would not be in keeping with the more spacious and verdant character and appearance of the application site and the surrounding built form. As such the proposal would be contrary to Policy CSQ3 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy, Policies G2, D1 and H4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011, Policy CH C1 of the Chinnor Neighbourhood Plan and guidance contained within the South Oxfordshire Design Guide 2016 and National Planning Policy Framework.
The proposed development, due to the relocation of the vehicular access off Lime Grove, would result in damage to protected lime trees. These trees make an important contribution to the character and appearance of the site and avoidable damage to these trees is unacceptable. Furthermore, the siting of the proposed parking areas may result in future pressure from the occupiers of the development for the lime trees to be pruned or felled. As such the proposal fails to accord with Policy CSQ3 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy and Policies G2, C9, CON7, D1 and H4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 and guidance contained within the South Oxfordshire Design Guide 2016 and National Planning Policy Framework.
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