Conditions / Refusal Reasons
That the proposal would be contrary to policy G4 of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan and policy GB2 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan. The site lies within the Oxfordshire Green Belt wherein there is a general presumption against new development apart from that which is essential for the needs of agriculture, forestry and recreation or some other purpose appropriate to the Green Belt. No justification has been put forward to warrant any departure from these Green Belt policies.
That the proposal would be contrary to the general, environmental and housing policies of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan (policies G1, EN4 and H1) and the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan (policies G1, G3, G5, C3 and H5). The site does not constitute a strict infill plot, that is a small gap in an otherwise built up frontage and its development would consolidate the existing scatter of development to the detriment of the rural character of the area, which lies within an Area of Great Landscape Value.
That the development would be contrary to Government advice set out in PPG 2 - Green Belts which states that there is a general presumption against inappropriate development within the Green Belt except for the needs of agriculture, forestry, outdoor sport, cemeteries and other uses of land that preserve the openness of the area. The proposal does not constitute limited infilling and it therefore comprises inappropriate development that is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt. No exceptional circumstances have been put forward that would warrant overriding this Government Guidance.
That in dismissing an appeal in December 1983 against the refusal of planning permission for the erection of a bungalow on the site (ref SO/N/10/83/O), the Inspector stated:
"The proposed bungalow on the site would cause the loss of part of a pleasant mature garden and would detract from the green and open character of the rural area south of Beckley and north of Oxford. The development would not constitute infilling, in the sense of filling a gap in an otherwise developed frontage, but would form a residential intrusion into the rural area near Oxford... I have come to the conclusion that the erection of a bungalow on the site would seriously detract from the rural character of an attractive and open area of countryside near Beckley which makes a valuable contribution to this part of the green belt."
It is considered that these conclusions apply equally to the present proposal.
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