Conditions / Refusal Reasons
The proposed development, which seeks to retain an unauthorised commercial development, would not constitute a sustainable from of development. The site is located in a countryside location outside of any settlement, poor in terms of accessibility and lacking in sustainable transport options and infrastructure to accommodate sustainable modes of transport to and from the site. Consequently it is not a suitable location for economic development to be sited, having a high reliance on the use of private motor vehicles. The development is therefore in conflict with policies STRAT1, EMP10, TRANS 2 and TRANS 5 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan, the Oxfordshire County Council Local Transport and Connectivity Plan 2022-2050 and National Planning Policy Framework.
The proposed development would contribute to an increase in the amount of built form on the site and would be detrimental to the visual amenities and rural character of the area contrary to Policies STRAT 1, EMP10 and ENV1 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan and National Planning Policy Framework which seek to protect the countryside from harmful development.
The proposed development would result in increased vehicular trips accessing and egressing the site using an access which is considered to be substandard increasing the risk to highway safety and to the safety of other road users within the vicinity. The proposal would therefore have an unacceptable impact on highway safety contrary to Policy TRANS5 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan and National Planning Policy Framework.
Insufficient information is available with regard to the extent to which principles of energy efficiency, promotion of sustainable design and carbon reduction have been addressed in the unauthorised development. The unauthorised development is therefore contrary to policies DES7, DES8 and DES10 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035; and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework aimed at achieving good design and delivering sustainable development.
In making this decision the Council has followed the requirements in paragraph 38 of the National Planning Policy Framework, but as the proposal is contrary to established planning principles in relation to sustainable development for the above reason, it has not been possible to suggest potential solutions to the scheme as submitted.
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