Conditions / Refusal Reasons
The South Oxfordshire Local Plan seeks to protect the District's settlements from adverse development and also to enhance the environment whenever opportunities arise (Policy G1). The Council also aims to ensure that the character of Conservation Areas is preserved or enhanced (CON8) and that the design and scale of new work is in sympathy with the established character of the area (CON10). Within the built up area of settlements permission will normally be granted for replacement dwellings, subject to amenity, environmental or traffic considerations (Policies H4 and H16). In this case the existing bungalow is prominently located on an elevated site in the Old Didcot Conservation Area, and although it does not contribute positively to the historic character of the area it is relatively unobtrusive. The proposal to replace the existing building with a larger, higher building on a similar footprint and the provision of a large double garage forward of the dwelling represents a bulky, overbearing form of development which would detract from the character and appearance of the Old Didcot Conservation Area and the setting of the neighbouring listed building at The Nook.
That having regard to the elevated position of the site, and to the size, siting and design of the proposed dwelling in relation to the neighbouring property, 40 Manor Road, the proposal represents a dominant form of development which would be oppressive to and overlook the neighbouring property to the detriment of the residential amenity enjoyed by its occupants. As such the proposal would be unacceptable and would be contrary to Polices G1 and H4 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan.
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