Planning Application Details

The proposed development would be contrary to the provisions of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan which seek to protect the District's countryside from adverse developments and enhance the environment whenever opportunities arise (G1). Development in the countryside and on the edge of settlements where it would extend the built up area will not normally be allowed except for agriculture and forestry (G5). Planning permission will not be granted for new houses in the countryside; in hamlets or isolated groups of dwellings (H6). Proposals for the re-use or adaptation of rural buildings in the countryside will be permitted provided that the building is suitable for the proposed use without major rebuilding and would not require significant alteration which would damage its fabric or essential character and in the case of proposals for residential use other uses have been explored and found to be unacceptable in planning terms (C11). In Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty development must be of a scale and type appropriate to the area (C2). In this case, the existing building is a small scale, simple, open fronted structure constructed in timber boarding on a concrete block plinth under an asbestos sheet roof. It lies in a rural location on the edge of the Carmel College complex and within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The proposal would involve significant alterations to the building which are tantamount to the erection of a new dwelling in an area where new building is restricted. No other use for the building has been found to be unacceptable in planning terms and there is insufficient justification for making an exception to the Council's policies.