Issue - meetings

Refused, reasons to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application 20/01747/F for the change of use of land to a 6no pitch Gypsy and Traveller site to include 6no mobiles homes, 6no tourers and associated operational development including hardstanding and fencing at Land South Side of Widnell Lane, Piddington for J Sweeny.

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officer’s report and presentation, the written update and the supplementary written update.

Resolved

(1)       That application 20/01747/F be refused for the following reasons:

1.         The proposed development, by virtue of its siting in the open countryside, overall scale and appearance, would have an urbanising effect on the open countryside, and would result in significant and demonstrable harm to the rural character and appearance of the area. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies ESD13 and ESD15 of the Cherwell local Plan Part 1, saved Policies C8 and C28 of the Cherwell local Plan 1996 and Government guidance within the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.         The planning application has not been supported by adequate information to demonstrate the impact of the proposed development on protected species has been properly understood and the requirement for mitigation to secure a net gain in biodiversity can be met. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy ESD10 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

3.         A Flood Risk Assessment has not been submitted with this application.  Therefore, an assessment has not been made of the flood risks arising from the proposed development and it has not been clearly demonstrated that the development and its future users will be safe over the lifetime of the development. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy ESD6 of the Cherwell Local Plan Part 1 and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.