Agenda item

Refused reasons to be set out in the minutes

The Committee considered application 18/01894/OUT for outline planning permission with all matters reserved for up to 25 dwellings with associated open space, parking and sustainable drainage at OS Parcel 4300 North of Shortlands and South of High Rock, Hook Norton Road, Sibford Ferris for Land & Partners Limited.

Ginny Bennett, Sibford Parish Council and Duncan Chadwick, on behalf of the Sibford Action Group, addressed the committee in objection to the application.

Jonathan Harbottle, the applicants agent, addressed the committee in support to the application.

Councillor Chapman proposed that application 18/01894/OUT be refused as the application is contrary to Policies ESD1, Villages 1 and Villages 2 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1, Saved Policy H18 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework. Councillor Webb seconded the proposal.

In reaching their decision the committee considered the officer’s report and presentation.

Resolved

That application 18/01894/OUT be refused for the following reasons:

1.                  By reason of its scale and the relative sustainability of Sibford Ferris, and taking into account the number of dwellings already permitted across the Category A villages, and Cherwell District Council's ability to demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply, which exceeds the requirement for a 3 year housing land supply, the proposed development is considered to be unnecessary, disproportionate, undesirable and unsustainable development that would undermine the housing strategy in the Cherwell Local Plan Part 1 which seeks to distribute new housing to the most sustainable locations having regard to such matters as public services and facilities, transport and employment. This would be contrary to Policies ESD1, Villages 1 and Villages 2 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1, Saved Policy H18 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.                  By virtue of its extension beyond the built limits of the village on a greenfield site and in an area of Grade 2 (very good) agricultural land and its visual impact on the rural character and appearance of the locality, the proposed development would cause unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the area, open rural countryside and rural edge of village setting, failing to reinforce local distinctiveness.  The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies ESD13, ESD15 and Villages 2 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1, saved Policy C28 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

3.                  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. This would be contrary to Policies INF1, PSD1, BSC10 and BSC11 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.