Planning Application Details

That the proposal would be contrary to the general, countryside and housing policies of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan (particularly policies G1, G2, EN4 and H1) and the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan (particularly policies G1, G8, H5 and H18). The proposal to erect six dwellings on the site does not constitute infill development but a form of backland development that would be out of keeping with the character of surrounding residential development and be harmful to the local landscape character. In addition the proposal to erect six dwellings appears a cramped overdevelopment of the site, that is dominated by car parking spaces. The height of the dwellings (9.5 metres) is also considered to be excessive and plots 2, 3 and 4 fail to meet the minimum garden sizes for three bedroom properties as set out in the South Oxfordshire Design Guide.

That the proposal would be contrary to policy E7 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan and Government advice in PPG7 in that it would result in the loss of a site which is available for use by employment generating development. Insufficient evidence has been submitted to show that the existing use gives rise to such a degree of nuisance or that there is not a continued need for the premises to justify setting aside the development plan policy.

That the proposal would be contrary to policy CON15 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan. It is considered that the erection of six dwellings would constitute a cramped form of development that would neither preserve nor enhance the character and appearance of the Aston Rowant Conservation Area.