Conditions / Refusal Reasons
The proposed development, by reason of its size, position and appearance, would represent an unduly cramped form of development with limited spacing between the two proposed dwellings. Furthermore, the appearance of Plot 2 would appear as a hybrid of two contrasting design approaches and would fail to reinforce local distinctiveness. As such, the proposal would be out of keeping with the established pattern of development in the locality within this part of the Chilterns AONB and would be contrary to Policies CSEN1 and CSQ3 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy, Policies G2, C4, D1 and H4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 and advice contained within Sections 3 and 5 of the South Oxfordshire Design Guide 2008.
The proposed development, by reason of its close proximity to protected trees, would result in foreseeable root damage to an Oak and two Pine trees. The poor relationship would also lead to future pressure to prune the Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Norway Maple and the Pines back, distorting their natural shape. The cramped nature of the development would also lead to a substandard amount of usable garden space for both dwellings leading to future pressure to prune the protected group of trees at the rear of the dwellings. As such, the proposal would be contrary to Policy CSEN1 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy, Policies G2, D3, C9 and H4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011, BS 5837, 2012 Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction and advice set out in Section 3.4 of the South Oxfordshire Design Guide 2008 and the supporting Trees and Development best practice guidance.
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