Planning Application Details

The proposal forms part of a housing allocation by virtue of policy NP4 of the made Benson Neighbourhood Plan. Policy NP4 of the made Benson Neighbourhood Plan requires a comprehensive scheme of development. The proposal would fail to fully integrate with the wider allocation and the application site is not required to secure the delivery of the Relief Road together with a dedicated pedestrian route to Roke. Due to its form and access arrangements it would result in a development that appears piecemeal and would not comprise a comprehensive development of the housing allocation. It would not be sufficiently integrated and connected to the housing allocation site and wider built context. It would therefore fail to make a positive contribution to the quality of the character and functionality of the wider settlement as well as the wider housing allocation. Furthermore, the proposed development would result in the unnecessary urbanisation of the open countryside to the detriment of its character and appearance and would lead to the coalescence of Benson and Rokemarsh. The proposal would not comprise sustainable development as defined by local and national legislation. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, polices CS1, CSR1, CSEN1 and CSQ3 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy, saved policies G2, G4, D1 and C4 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 and policies NP4, NP7, NP27, NP28 and NP29 of the made Benson Neighbourhood Plan.

The proposal would involve the unnecessary loss of grade 3a agricultural land, best and most versatile land, contrary to paragraph 170 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

In the absence of a completed S106 legal agreement, the proposal fails to secure affordable housing to meet the needs of the district. As such, the development would be contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework and Policy CSH3 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy and Policy NP4 of the adopted Benson Neighbourhood Plan.

In the absence of a completed S106 legal agreement, the proposal fails to secure on and off site infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of the development. As such, the development would be contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, Policy CSI1 of the South Oxfordshire Core Strategy and Policies T1, R2 and R6 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 and Policy NP4 of the adopted Benson Neighbourhood Plan.