Agenda item

Refused reasons to be set out in the minutes.

The Committee considered application 15/01953/OUT, an outline application for the erection of up to 26 dwellings including the creation of a new access, associated landscaping, open space and drainage infrastructure at Land North of Southfield Farm North Lane, Weston on the Green for Mr Clive Tredwell.

In introducing the report, the Planning Officer advised the Committee that whilst they had considered and determined the application at their last meeting, due to an administrative error the applicant’s planning agent had not been given the opportunity to address the Committee. The application was therefore being presented again to the Committee to allow the applicant’s planning agent to address the meeting and the application to be considered afresh with Members having regard to the information before it at the Committee meeting and the contribution of the speakers.

Dr Susan Davis, Vice Chairman of Weston on the Green Parish Council and Roger Evans, a local resident, addressed the committee in objection to the application.

Matthew Taylor, the agent for the applicant, addressed the committee in support of the application.

Councillor Randall proposed that application 15/01953/OUT be refused as the settlement was beyond the village boundary. Councillor Macnamara seconded the proposal.

In reaching their decision the committee considered the officer’s report and presentation, written update and the addresses of the public speakers.

Resolved

That application 15/01953/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 considered to be unacceptable in principle and contrary to Policies ESD13, ESD15 and Villages 2 of the adopted Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and saved Policy C28 of the adopted Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and Government advice 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 , would represent an unsustainable form of development poorly related to the services and facilities within the existing village. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to Policies SLE4, ESD1 and ESD15 of the adopted Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and advice 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.            By reason of the lack of a satisfactory completed Section 106 Agreement to secure contributions to the community services and infrastructure that would be directly affected by the development, and to secure provision of affordable housing to meet local housing need, the Local Planning Authority cannot be satisfied that the impacts of the development in these respects can be made acceptable. 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