Conditions / Refusal Reasons
The application site lies within the countryside and the principle of new housing on the site is not acceptable. There are no material considerations of sufficient weight, including the extant approval to convert an agricultural barn to a dwelling under permitted development rights, that would outweigh the provisions of the development plan. Therefore, the proposal is contrary to Policies STRAT1, and H1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 and with the aims of the NPPF.
Due to its design, layout, scale and massing the proposed development would fail to respect the existing character of the site and the contribution it makes to the rural character and appearance of the surrounding countryside. Therefore, the proposal is contrary to Policies ENV1, DES1 and DES2 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035, the NPPF and technical guidance set out in the South Oxfordshire Design Guide.
This application does not include any Energy Statement, including SAP calculations in line with the recognised methodology set by Government, demonstrating how the development will achieve at least a 40% reduction in carbon emissions compared with code 2013 Building Regulations or details of how this will be monitored, contrary to Policies DES8, and DES10 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 (SOLP) and with the aims of the NPPF.