Conditions / Refusal Reasons
The site lies outside the built up limits of Sonning Common, is not identified for development in the Development Plan and the proposed development would not represent infill development as defined by the Core Strategy. It would be socially unsustainable as it has poor links to the main body of the village, resulting in occupiers of the dwellings being reliant on the private car in order to access essential services and facilities. The proposal would also be environmentally unsustainable, as it would lead to consolidation of development in an isolated rural location, thereby failing to conserve or enhance the landscape and scenic beauty of this part of the Chilterns AONB. As such, the proposed development would not accord with the District's strategy for growth. The District does not currently have a 5 year housing supply, nonetheless for the reasons set out the proposal is unsustainable and is therefore contrary to the NPPF, the NPPG and policies CS1, CSS1, CSR1, CSEN1, and CSM1 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy, and policies G2, G4, and D1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.
Insufficient technical information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed development would provide adequate vision splays and consequently that it would not result in severe harm to highway and pedestrian safety. As such, the proposal would be contrary to Paragraph 32 of the NPPF, government guidance in the NPPG and Policies H4 and T1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.
Insufficient arboricultural information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed development would safeguard important trees and consequently that it would not result in the loss of landscape features that would cause visual harm to the rural character of this part of the Chilterns AONB. As such, the proposal would be contrary to Policy CSEN1 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy and Policy C9 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011.
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