Planning Application Details

The application site is situated in an unsustainable location in the open countryside, physically separate and remote from the nearest settlement and without safe and sustainable access to local services and facilities. The proposed development would be highly reliant on the use of private motor vehicle to access local services and facilities and does not benefit from any exceptions under either the National Planning Policy Framework or Develop Plan that would justify its provision in such an isolated and unsustainable location in the countryside. The develop is therefore contrary to policies STRAT1, DES8 and TRANS5 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035; policy TOW1 of the Towersey Neighbourhood Plan; and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework and the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites in so far as these aimed at achieving sustainable development.

The lack of a 5-year supply of gypsy/traveller sites under the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 and the personal circumstances of the applicant and his family are outweighed by other considerations, including the adverse impacts of the development in terms of the character of the landscape; the intrinsic value of the countryside; the character and visual amenity of the surrounding area; the unsustainable location of the site; the net loss of biodiversity; the failure to adequately address contamination risks; the lack of information regarding sustainable surface and foul water drainage; and the deliberate unauthorised nature of the development already undertaken. Furthermore, the proposed development would not positively enhance the environment and increase its openness. Rather, it has been designed in a manner that encloses the site in a way that gives the impression that the site and its occupants are deliberately isolated from the rest of the community. The proposed development is therefore contrary to policy H14 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035; and government guidance contained in the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites aimed at achieving the suitable and sustainable location of gypsy/traveller sites; and the suitable design and assimilation of gypsy and traveller sites into their surroundings.

The proposed material change of use of the land and related operations have an urban character and appearance that sits uncomfortably in the existing rural landscape and countryside setting. The development is harmful to the landscape and the intrinsic character, beauty and tranquillity of the countryside, contrary to policies ENV1 and H14 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035; and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework and the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites in so far as these aim to protect the landscape qualities and intrinsic value of the countryside from adverse development.

The proposed development is of a character and appearance that sits uncomfortably in an otherwise open and tranquil rural setting. The multiple proposed caravans, by their very nature, do not respect the local distinctiveness of the area, being of a standardised, modern, utilitarian and non-vernacular design. The development does not physically or visually enhance or complement its surroundings and does not make adequate provision for any outdoor amenity space, including provision for landscaping or a play area for children. The development is therefore contrary to policies DES1, DES2, DES5 and H14 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035; policy TOW 16 of the Towersey Neighbourhood Plan; and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Policy for Traveller Sites, aimed at achieving good design and respect for local distinctiveness.

Insufficient information has been submitted with the application to allow for a proper assessment of the impacts of outdoor lighting relating to the proposed development on the amenity of the area, the natural environment and dark sky character of the setting. This is contrary to policies DES6 and ENV12 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035

The potential harm to the health of the occupants of the proposed development from existing contaminants on the site has not been adequately addressed in the current application. This is contrary to policy ENV11 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035.

The unauthorised development already undertaken by the applicant and the additional development proposed to be undertaken has and will result in a net loss of biodiversity and likely harm to protected species. Insufficient information has been submitted with the current application to determine what mitigation or compensation would be required to achieve compliance with policies ENV2 and ENV3 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035; policy TOW7 of the Towersey Neighbourhood Plan; and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework aimed at protecting biodiversity.

Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed development can be feasibly and sustainably drained in a manner that addresses flood risk and water quality concerns, having particular regard to the impermeable nature of the underlying geology, the natural fall of the land away from the highway and the absence of any water course or public sewer in proximity to the site. The development is therefore contrary to policy EP4 and H14 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 and government guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework aimed at addressing flood risk and water quality.