Planning Application Details

The proposal site lies outside of the confines of either Stadhampton or Chalgrove, in a rural, isolated location and would not meet the definition of infill development. By reason of the separation distance between the proposal site and the built area of any settlement, as well as poor connectivity, occupants would be overly reliant on private transport to reach basic facilities and services. The development does not in any way contribute meaningfully to the 5YHLS. The harm of the proposal, in being in an unsustainable, inaccessible location, undermines the spatial strategy, and as such far outweighs any benefit. The principle of residential development is contrary to policies CS1, CSS1 and CSR1 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy, and the proposal is recommended for refusal on these grounds.

The proposed development involves conversion of a rural, agricultural building to a residential use, and is therefore required to meet the requirements of saved policy E8 of the SOLP. Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that other uses have been explored, and subsequently eliminated, or that other uses would only result in greater harm than a residential use in an isolated location in the countryside. Highways objections have also been raised. The development does not conform to criteria v) and vii) of saved policy E8 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan, and the proposal is recommended for refusal on these grounds.

The proposed dwelling would not provide occupants with a safe and convenient access to the highway network or access to public transport. No mechanism has been secured to provide passing points to the narrow, unmade track, which serves as the main access to the development. The deficiency associated with the poor access serves to highlight the unsustainable location, and the narrowness and lack of passing points increases the risk to highway safety posed by the development. The development conflicts with saved policy T1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan.