Planning Application Details

The Development Plan identifies appropriate locations for new development. Planning permission for new houses will not be granted unless the development falls within strictly defined criteria. Within the smaller villages planning permission will not be granted for new houses unless the proposal is for infill development on sites up to 0.2 hectares in size in an otherwise built up frontage or where the site is closely surrounded by buildings. The site is not an allocated site, is too large to be an infill site and is not closely surrounded by buildings. As such, the proposal is unacceptable in principle contrary to policy CSR1 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Core Strategy 2027 and the policies of the National Planning Policy Framework.

In connection with a previous appeal on this site in 2004, the Inspector considered that even though the scheme proposed a low density housing development for 9 houses and could be of high quality, it would be a further cul de sac form of development within Moulsford. He opined that the proposal would be harmful to the character of the area and "One of the principal open areas in Moulsford would disappear" (para 13) setting a precedent for development of other sites. He found the scheme to be unacceptable for these reasons and the circumstances of this case would not justify taking an alternative stance. As such the proposed development would represent an incursion into an important open space within the village detracting from the character and appearance of The Street, the landscape setting of the village and the natural beauty of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty contrary to saved policies G2, C4 and H4 of the Adopted South Oxfordshire local Plan and Policies CSQ3 and CSEN1 of the adopted Core Strategy

Notwithstanding the objections set out in reasons 1 and 2, there is insufficient information to assess the impact of development on archaeological remains and in respect of flood risk. Without such information the proposal would be contrary to saved Policy CON12 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan and advice contained in the National Planning Policy Framework.

That the proposal fails to provide affordable housing in accordance with Policy CSH3 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Core Strategy.