Issue - meetings

Refused reasons to be set out in the minutes

The Committee considered application 19/00596/OUT for a residential development of up to 18 dwellings with associated access, internal roads, car parking, public open space, landscaping, drainage and other associated infrastructure Land North of Southfield Farm, North Lane, Weston-on-the Green, Greystoke Land Limited.

Diane Bohm, Chairman of Weston-on-the-Green Parish Council addressed the committee in objection.

Anthony Crean QC, the applicant, addressed the committee in support of the application.

In reaching their decision, the committee considered the officers report, presentation, written update and the address of the public speakers.

Resolved

That application 19/00596/OUT be refused for the following reasons:

1.                  The development proposed, by reason of its scale and siting beyond the built up limits of the village, encroachment into the open countryside, and taking account of the Council's ability to demonstrate an up-to-date five year housing land supply, is considered to be unnecessary, undesirable and unsustainable new development that would harm the rural character and setting of the village. The proposal is therefore unacceptable in principle and contrary to Policies ESD13, ESD15 and Villages 2 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and saved Policy C28 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and Government guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.                  The development proposed, by reason of its poor connectivity and links to the existing village and position adjacent to the busy Northampton Road, and the relative lack of facilities within the village, would represent an unsustainable form of development, that would not give future occupiers a realistic choice of travel means.  The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Policies SLE4, ESD1 and ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and Government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework which seeks to ensure that new development facilitates sustainable modes of transport and provides opportunities for the use of public transport, walking and cycling.

3.                  The submitted Drainage Strategy is inadequate and does not provide sufficient information to demonstrate that a drainage strategy based on Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems has been explored for the site.  The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy ESD7 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and Government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework.

4.                  In the absence of the completion of a satisfactory Planning Obligation, the Local Planning Authority is not convinced that the necessary infrastructure directly required as a result of this development, in the interests of supporting the sustainability of the village and the development, and in the interests of safeguarding public infrastructure and securing on site future maintenance arrangements, will be provided. The proposal therefore conflicts with Policies BSC3 and INF1 of the adopted Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and Government advice within the National Planning Policy Framework.