Planning Application Details

The proposed development does not constitute the sustainable growth and expansion through the conversion of existing buildings, or the sustainable development and diversification of agricultural and other land-based rural businesses. The proposed development is in an unsustainable location and would result in new business premises in the open countryside. The principle of development is therefore unacceptable and the proposal is contrary to the NPPF, particularly paragraphs 83 and 84, Policies STRAT1 and EMP10 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 and Policy TET1 of the Tetsworth Neighbourhood Plan.

The proposed development, by reason of its scale and massing, would be harmful to the landscape character of the area and to the visual amenity of the area. The proposals are contrary to the NPPF, particularly paragraphs 127 and 170, Oxfordshire Local Plan Policies 2035 Policies DES1, DES2, and ENV1 and Tetsworth Neighbourhood Plan Policy TET3.

Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the proposals will meet BREEAM Excellent standard (or a recognised equivalent methodology) or that they will achieve at least a 40% reduction in the carbon emissions compared with a 2013 Building Regulations complaint base case. Insufficient evidence has been provided to demonstrate that the buildings will minimise the carbon and energy impacts of their design and construction or that the development has been designed to improve resilience to the anticipated effects of climate change. Therefore the proposed development is contrary to Policies DES1, DES8 and DES10 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the proposal would not be at risk of surface water flooding or increase the flood risk elsewhere. Therefore the proposals are contrary to the NPPF, particularly paragraphs 163 and 165, and South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 Policies DES1 and EP4.

Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the proposals would not harm ecology and habitats on the site and in the local vicinity, particularly European Protected Species. The applicant has also failed to demonstrate that there would be a net gain in biodiversity under the proposals. Therefore the proposals are contrary to the NPPF, particularly paragraphs 170 and 175, South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 Policies DES1, ENV2 and ENV3 and Policy TET8 of the Tetsworth Neighbourhood Plan.

Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the site is not contaminated by pollutants due to previous uses, potentially causing harm to human and animal health. The proposals are contrary to the NPPF, particularly paragraphs 170, 178 and 179, and South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 Policy ENV11.