Conditions / Refusal Reasons
The existing wall is an historic architectural feature which makes a significant contribution to the open feel of Priestend, setting of the surrounding listed buildings, important open green spaces and their historic uses across this section of the Thame Conservation Area. The existing wall is of traditional stone construction and provides a long, low and almost continuous boundary which separates the open fields and Church grounds to the west of Priestend from the adjoining highway. The wall makes a significant contribution to historic and architectural interest of the Conservation Area and setting of the surrounding listed buildings. The addition of a large opening to make way for a timber five bar gate would result in a change to the historic appearance of the wall and would result in change to the way that the surrounding historic land uses are understood. The proposal would result in a low level of less than substantial harm to the character of the Conservation Area and setting of the surrounding listed buildings. There is no public benefit arising from the proposed entrance way and gate. The proposal does not meet the legislative tests set out within Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 where it fails to preserve or enhance the contribution that the exiting structure makes to the special historic and architectural interest of the designated Conservation Area and is contrary with polices STRAT1, TH1, DES1, DES2, ENV6, ENV7 and ENV8 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 and policies ESDQ16, ESDQ17 and ESDQ20 of the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.
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