Planning Application Details

That the proposal would be contrary to policy EN4 of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan (as proposed to be modified), policy GB1 of the adopted Central Oxfordshire Local Plan and policy GB2 of the approved South Oxfordshire Local Plan (as proposed to be modified). The site lies within the Oxford Green Belt wherein there is a presumption against new development apart from that essentially required for the purposes of agriculture, forestry or recreation. No special circumstances have been put forward that would justify overriding established Green Belt policies. That the proposal would be contrary to the general, environmental and housing policies of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan (particularly policies G1, EN1 and H1 as proposed to be modified), the adopted Central Oxfordshire Local Plan (particularly policies G1, H4, H11 and C5) and the approved South Oxfordshire Local Plan (particularly policies G1, H5, H18 and C3 as proposed to be modified). The site does not constitute a strict infill plot and the proposal would result in an unacceptable form of backland development that would be likely to detract from the amenity and privacy of the occupiers of adjacent residential occupiers. That the proposal would be contrary to policies CON1 and CON7 of the adopted Central Oxfordshire Local Plan and policies CON7 and CON8 of the approved South Oxfordshire Local Plan (as proposed to be modified). It is considered that the erection of a new dwelling in this backland location would neither preserve nor enhance the character of the Forest Hill Conservation Area and would detract from the setting of the former Kings Arms Public House which is a Grade II listed building. That in dismissing an appeal against the decision of the District Council to refuse outline planning permission for inter alia the erection of a dwelling on this site, the Inspector stated that: "Your proposal would result in a dwelling being set some distance behind the street frontage but clearly visible from it. The fact that the site rises away from the road would give the building added prominence. In my view a dwelling here, however well designed, would be seen as being out of character with the conservation area and disruptive to its appearance. I also think that a building in this location would result in a visual rivalry with the listed building which would be detrimental to its setting." It is the Council's view that this statement applies equally to the present proposal.