Planning Application Details

That the proposal would be contrary to policies of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan. Except on specifically allocated sites (Policy H2), residential development will generally be limited to strict infilling or the erection of up to nine dwellings within the built-up area of larger villages (Policies H4 and H5). New dwellings on the edge of settlements which would extend their built-up area into the countryside will not normally be permitted (Policies G5 and H6). The need to protect the countryside for its own sake is a paramount consideration (Policy C1); development which would damage the attractive landscape setting of villages will not normally be permitted (Policy C6); and the District Council will protect Areas of Great Landscape Value from development which would have an adverse effect on the character and appearance of the landscape (Policy C3). Proposals for development which would adversely affect the setting of a listed building will be refused (Policy Con 7). The Council will seek to ensure that the character of individual Conservation Areas is preserved or enhanced (Policy Con 8). The site is not allocated for development in the Local Plan nor is it within the built-up confines of the village. The development of this land would extend the built-up area of the village into the countryside detrimental to the rural character and landscape of an Area of Great Landscape Value and to the setting of the village. Furthermore, the proposals would detract from the rural character and setting of the Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Conservation Area and the adjacent listed buildings at Woodleys Cottage and Orchard Cottage. No material environmental benefits would accrue from the removal of the dilapidated greenhouses and no evidence of any special need for the dwellings has been put forward to justify setting aside the policy and environmental objections set out above.

That the access to the site is, by way of geometry and visibility unsuitable to serve the development. The development would therefore be contrary to Policy G10 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan.

That the erection of 16 dwellings on a site of 1.297 hectares represents an unsustainable density of development contrary to Policy G2 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan and to Government guidance on making efficient use of land in Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 and is unlikely to result in an appropriate mix of dwelling size, type and affordability in accordance with that guidance.

That no mechanisms are in place to ensure provision of a minimum of 25% of the dwellings to be affordable housing in accordance with Policy H7 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan.

In the absence of an assessment of the site, which lies within an area of archaeological interest, the development could be harmful to important archaeological features contrary to Policies Con 16, Con 17 and Con 18 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan and Government guidance in Planning Policy Guidance Note 16.