Planning Application Details

The internal volume of the barn has a scale and spatial quality uncommon in agricultural buildings such that it is included on the list of buildings of special architectural and historic interest as a Grade II listed builing. The existing use permits the trussed roof structure to be fully appreciated in its entirety. The current scheme involves the use of a subdividing central wall between the two units and the creation of three floors of accommodation with subdividing glazed and solid walls to create internal rooms. As such the proposed development would collectively destroy the integrity of the internal space and structure, and considerably reduce their impact and interest to the detriment of the character and appearance of the listed building. Furthermore, in the opinion of the District Council other uses for the barn that would better respect the internal character of the building have not been adequately pursued and found to be unacceptable. As such the proposal would be contrary to to the advice contained in PPG 15 Planning and the Historic Environment, Policies G1, CON6, CON7 and C11 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan and Policies G2, CON5, CON6, CON7 and E8 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 Second Deposit (Draft).

The external space west of the appeal barn, which currently provides an appropriate, simple setting for the whole group of buildings is considered to be crucial to its character. The proposal does not involve any subdivision of this space to reflect individual curtilages but does involve alterations to the west(airfield) elevation and the creation of parking spaces for the units which would change the character of the area from agricultural to residential and would add further to the general domestification of the area which would detract significantly from the setting of this listed building and the area in general. Furthermore, in the opinion of the District Council other uses that would better respect the character and appearance and setting of the building have not been adequately pursued and found to be unacceptable. As such, the proposal would be contrary to the advice contained in PPG15 Planning and the Historic Environment, Policies G1, CON6, CON7 and C11 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan and Policies G2, CON5, CON6, CON7 and E8 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 Second Deposit (Draft).

Externally the main characteristic of this barn is the uninterupted sweep of its tiled roof, which is currently broken only by the hipped projections over the entrance bays. The current scheme involves the provision of a glazed screen beneath the existing open aisle, rooflights and glazed doorways on the east (courtyard) elevation.The rooflights would appear as considerable interuptions to the roof plane and the other alterations to this elevation would give this elevation to the building a more residential appearance and would weaken its current agricultural character. Furthermore, if allowed there is likely to be additional pressure in the future for the addition of further glazing particularly to first and second floor bedrooms. As such the proposal would detract significantly from the special architectural and historic character of the building and in the opinion of the District Council other uses that would better respect the character and appearance of the building have not been adequately pursued and found to be unacceptable. As such, the proposal would be contrary to the advice contained in PPG15 Planning and the Historic Environment, Policies G1, CON6, CON7 and C11 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan and Policies G2, CON5, CON6, CON7 and E8 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 Second Deposit (Draft).

That no information has been submitted to test for the presence of bats which are a protected species and it has not been possible to assess the proposal in this respect or advise on appropriate mitigation measures if bats are found in the barn. As such the proposal would be contrary to the advice given by Englsh Nature regarding planning proposals relating to protected species, to Policies G1 and C14 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan and to Policies G2 and C8 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 Second Deposit (Draft)