Planning Application Details

The proposal would be contrary to Policies G1, G2 and G4 of the adopted Structure Plan for Oxfordshire 2016, Policy GB2 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 (SOLP) and the advice contained within PPG2 "Green Belts". Policy GB2 (SOLP) lists circumstances where new buildings will be allowed in the Green Belt and the redevelopment of commercial sites is not included within that list. The proposed development is, therefore, inappropriate by definition. The proposal to erect four dwellings across part of the site would create a larger area of buildings across the site, in a more prominent position and would consolidate development and would detract from the rural character and openness of the Green Belt.

The proposal would be contrary to Policy E6 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan. Policy E6 aims to retain buildings and land in employment use, unless the existing use is not viable or giving rise to nuisance, to ensure that communities can provide employment opportunities for local residents and be sustainable. The site is currently in use as a service station and workshop without giving rise to nuisance and insufficient evidence has been submitted to show that the site has been adequately marketed. Therefore, the use could continue either in the current use or for some other employment use before a residential use of the site will be considered.

The proposal would be contrary to Policies G1 and G2 of the adopted Structure Plan for Oxfordshire 2016, Policies G2 and H6 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 (SOLP) and advice given in PPS 3 "Housing". Policy H6 (SOLP) identifies locations where new housing will not be allowed. Milton Common is a settlement with few services and facilities and is not therefore a sustainable location for new housing.

The proposal would be contrary to Policy C4 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan and the advice contained in The South Oxfordshire Landscape Assessment. Policy C4 (SOLP) aims to protect the landscape setting of settlements. The proposal to erect four dwellings across part of the site would create a larger area of buildings across the site, in a more prominent position and would consolidate development on the edge of the settlement detracting from the landscape setting of Milton Common.

The proposal would be contrary to Policy H9 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan which seeks to provide 40% of affordable housing on sites that are capable of providing a net gain of 5 or more dwellings. Notwithstanding the objection to the principle of development, the site is capable of accommodating 5 or more dwellings and no provision for affordable housing has been put forward.