Planning Application Details

That the development would be contrary to the provisions of the Structure Plan for Oxfordshire (1992). The general strategy is to protect the environment and character of the County and to restrain development outside the country towns (Policies G1 and H1). Development will be severely restricted in the Green Belt (Policy EN5). Sporadic development will not be allowed in the open countryside (Policy EN7). The proposal would extend development beyond the built-up limits of Sandford-on-Thames contrary to Green Belt policy and to the general policy of restraint in the Structure Plan. That the development would be contrary to the policies of the adopted Central Oxfordshire Local Plan (1992) and the approved South Oxfordshire Local Plan (1993). In order to protect the District's attractive character, landscape and countryside, development in the rural areas will be generally restrained (COLP Policy G1 SOLP Policy G1). The need to protect the countryside for its own sake will be a paramount consideration for the Council in assessing proposals for development (COLP Policy C1 SOLP Policy C1). Within areas designated of Great Landscape Value the Council will seek to conserve and enhance the quality of the landscape (COLP Policy C5 SOLP Policy C3). Proposals for new development in the open countryside and on the edge of settlements where it would extend their built-up areas into the countryside and in the Oxford Belt will not normally be approved (COLP Policies G3, GB1 and H3 SOLP Polices G5, GB1 and H6). The proposal would be on the edge of the settlement of Sandford-on-Thames and extend beyond the built-up area into the countryside in an area designated as Green Belt and of Great Landscape Value. The proposal would be contrary to the purposes of these area designations and be of detriment to the character and landscape of the area.