Planning Application Details

Policy CSR1 of South Oxfordshire Core Strategy allows for infill development in the smaller villages subject to the criteria of saved policy H4 of the Development Plan. Brightwell-cum-Sotwell is identified as a smaller village where infill development is permitted up on sites of up to 0.2ha in area. Infill development is defined as 'the filling of a small gap in an otherwise built up frontage or on other sites within settlements where the site is closely surrounded by buildings'. The site is not an infill plot, it is an important open space on the edge of the village and development of the plot would extend the built-up area of the settlement into the surrounding countryside. As such the proposal would detract from the rural character and landscape setting of this part of Brightwell- Cum - Sotwell and the character and appearance of the adjacent conservation area contrary to Polices CSS1, CSR1 and CSEN3 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Core Strategy and saved Policies G2, C4, CON7 and H4 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan.

Policy D4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan aims to protect the amenity of neighbouring properties. Development will not be permitted if it would unacceptably harm the amenities of neighbour properties through loss of privacy, daylight or sunlight. The proposal creates an unacceptable level of overlooking into a habitable room of North Barn, compromising the privacy and amenity of occupants contrary to saved policy D4 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan.

That, having regard to the scale, massing and design of the new dwelling the proposal would be out of keeping with and would cause harm to the local character and distinctiveness of this part of Brightwell - Cum - Sotwell contrary to Policy CSQ3 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy and saved policies G2, D1 and H4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.