Conditions / Refusal Reasons
The proposed development, due to the siting, size, bulk and massing of the dwellings would result in a cramped form of development that would fail to respect the character and appearance of the site and the surrounding area. As such the proposal would be contrary to Policies G2, G6, D1, and H4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 and guidance contained within PPS1, PPS3 and the South Oxfordshire Design Guide 2000.
The proposed development, due to its siting, design, size, bulk and height, would have an overbearing effect on the neighbouring property to the south west, Number 4a Newtown Gardens, to the detriment of the amenity of the occupiers of this property. As a result, the proposal would be contrary to Policies D4 and H4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 and guidance contained within the South Oxfordshire Design Guide 2000.
The proposal relates to the construction of three 3 bedroom dwellings. This is contrary to Policy H7 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011, which seeks to ensure that any new residential development consisting of two or more dwellings meets the identified housing need for smaller two bedroom dwellings in the district. The lack of addressing housing need is also contrary to guidance contained within PPS1, and PPS3.
The proposed garden areas of the development are small in size, particularly compared to the size of the proposed dwellings to which they would relate, and would not comply with guidance contained within the South Oxfordshire Design Guide 2000. The proposal therefore fails to provide sufficient amenity space for the future occupiers of the development contrary to Policies D3 and H4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.
Newtown Gardens is a private road where there is restricted visibility and ease of traffic movement. The proposed development would increase the number of traffic movements along the road and at the junction of Newtown Gardens and Reading Road. Furthermore, the proposed parking layout would cause problems of accessibility and visibility in relation to traffic movements within Newtown Gardens. As such the proposal would be detrimental to highway safety contrary to Policy T8 of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan 2016 and Policies T1 and T2 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.
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