Planning Application Details

The retention of the hardstanding to facilitate a material change of use of the land for a non-agricultural purpose in an open yard setting constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt, which would be harmful to the rural character and openness of the Green Belt. There are no very special circumstances that would outweigh the harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness or any other harm. The development is therefore contrary to policy GB4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011; policy CSEN2 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy 2012; and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework relating to the protection of the Green Belt.

The retention of the hardstanding to facilitate a material change of use of the land for a non-agricultural purpose in an open yard setting represents an unnecessary and invasive encroachment of development into a previously unspoiled rural landscape. This is contrary to policies G2, G4, C4 and D1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011; policies CSEN1 and CSQ3 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy 2012; and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework relating to the protection of valued landscapes, local character and distinctiveness.

That the traffic arising from the proposed change of use of the hardstanding area would be contrary to highway safety and convenience. It would also be harmful to the environmental amenity of the surrounding rural area and the amenity of existing occupiers and users of land along Mill Lane. The development is therefore contrary to policies A3, E5, D2, T1 and T10 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.

That the proposed change of use of the hardstanding area would constitute an intrusive and unneighbourly form of development in this rural locality, and would be detrimental to the amenity of occupants of neighbouring properties, particularly by reason of noise and general disturbance. This would be contrary to policies A3, E5 and EP2 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.

That the development has not been justified either on the basis of an agricultural or other specific need warranting location in the open countryside outside towns and villages. It is therefore contrary to the policy CSS1 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy 2012; and policy policy A1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.