Conditions / Refusal Reasons
The proposed development, through a significant increase in footprint and height, would result in a replacement dwelling of greater than 10% volume than the existing dwelling and would have an excessive bulk and massing in close proximity to the street. Furthermore, the inclusion of high level glazing would draw attention to the prominence of the building. As such, the proposal would have an overall greater impact than the original dwelling and would detract from the character and appearance of the site and the surrounding area, which lies within the Chilterns AONB, contrary to Policies CSEN1 and CSQ3 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy and Policies G2, C4, D1 and H12 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 and advice contained within Section 5 of the South Oxfordshire Design Guide 2008 and the NPPF.
The proposed development, through its proximity to a Category A Sweet Chestnut tree would result in foreseeable tree root damage from the excavation required to provide standard strip foundations causing the tree's premature decline. As such, the proposal would be contrary to Policy CSEN1 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy and Policies G2, C9 and H12 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011, BS 5837, 2012 and advice set out in the South Oxfordshire Design Guide 2008 and the supporting Trees and Development best practice guidance and the NPPF.
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