Planning Application Details

Due to the parallel nature of the proposed on site parking space in relation to the adjoining highway, the access and egress arrangements would require excessive manoeuvring across the footway. Due to the height and proximity of the boundary treatment at either side of the proposed access it is not possible to achieve suitable pedestrian awareness visibility splays and a driver manoeuvring in and out of the site would have limited vision of users of the footpath along the street. Due to the design and layout of the proposed access in relation to the adjoining highway, combined with the lack of such visibility, the proposal would result in a significant conflict between cars and pedestrians. The development proposed would present a significant risk to highway safety and to other users of the highway network, contrary to policies HEN1 and TRANS5 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035, Paragraphs 97 and 104 to 113 of the National Planning Policy Framework and Oxfordshire County Council's Parking Standards for New Residential Development.

The proposed parking space would require the removal of a low wall and boundary hedge which make a positive contribution to the sense of enclosure along Church Street that is characteristic of this part of the Conservation Area. The loss of the boundary treatment along this section of Church Street would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and there is insufficient public benefit derived from the development to outweigh this harm. As such the proposal is contrary to Policies DES1, DES2, ENV6 and ENV8 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035, Policy DQS1 of the Henley and Harpsden Neighbourhood Plan, and the National Planning Policy Framework.