Planning Application Details

The South Oxfordshire Local Plan states that extensions to listed buildings must be sympathetic to the original structure in design, scale and materials (policy CON6). Proposals for development which would adversely affect the setting of a listed building will be refused (CON7). Within Conservation Areas, new development should preserve or enhance the character of the area (CON8); the design and scale of new work should be in sympathy with the established character of the area; and existing walls, trees, hedges or other features which contribute to the character of the area should be retained (CON10 and CON15). Development which would result in the loss of trees which are important to the local scene will not normally be permitted (C16). In this case St Thomas of Canterbury Church is a grade I listed building within the Goring-on-Thames Conservation Area. Having regard to the design and detailing of the proposed extension and its relationship to the large lawson cypress, the proposal represents an inappropriate and unacceptable form of development that would detract from the character, appearance and setting of the listed building; would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the Goring conservation area; would damage the root system of a tree with significant amenity value in the conservation area and jeopardise its future; and would involve the removal of two yew trees which contribute to the setting of the church. It is known that the church is a former priory church and that its cloister directly abutted the existing south wall. As no archaeological evidence has been submitted it has not been possible to determine whether the development would be harmful to a site of significant and known archaeological interest. As such the proposal would be contrary to Policy CON17 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan.