Agenda item


OS Parcel 3300 North of Railway Line, Adjoining Palmer Avenue, Lower Arncott

Decision:

Refused, reasons to be set out in the minutes

Minutes:

The Committee considered application 20/00871/F for the erection of a free-range egg production unit, gatehouse and agricultural workers dwelling including all associated works at OS Parcel 3300 North of the Railway Line Adjoining Palmer Avenue, Lower Arncott for W Potters & Sons Limited.  This was a re-submission of application19/00644/F.

 

Richard Corbett, agent for the applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

 

In reaching its decision the Committee considered the officer’s report and presentation, the written updates and the address of the public speaker.

 

Resolved

 

(1)       That application 20/00871/F be refused for the following reasons:

 

1.  The proposed permanent dwelling constitutes sporadic residential development in the open countryside, beyond the built-up limits of the nearest settlement, for which it has not been demonstrated that there is an essential need. In its proposed location the dwelling would therefore be an unjustified and unsustainable form of development.  As such the proposal is contrary to saved Policies C8 and H18 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.  By virtue of its scale and siting, the proposed development would result in significant and demonstrable harm to the character and appearance of the area, and harm to the landscape character of the area, the enjoyment of users of the nearby Public Right of Way, and this harm significantly and demonstrably outweighs the need for the proposal and the benefits arising from the proposal, including the production of food.  The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies ESD13 and ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and saved Policies AG2, C8 and C28 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework.

3.  The applicants have failed to adequately demonstrate that the proposed development would not result in detrimental impacts on the ecological and biodiversity at the site and nearby designated Local Wildlife Sites, and further would not provide a nett gain in biodiversity opportunities at the site. The proposals would also prevent the aims of the Ray Conservation Target Area being achieved. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies ESD10 and ESD11 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework with regards to ‘Conserving and enhancing the natural environment’.

4.  The applicants have failed to demonstrate that the proposed development could be undertaken without it causing materially detrimental levels of pollution to the River Ray and ponds within the vicinity of the site. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy ESD8 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and saved Policies AG3, AG4 and ENV1 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework.

5.  By virtue of an inadequate Flood Risk Assessment the applicants have failed to demonstrate that the proposed development would not increase the flooding risk on the site or elsewhere and would remain operational in the event of flooding and therefore does not accord with Policies ESD6 and ESD7 of the Cherwell Local Plan (2011-2031) Part 1.

 

Supporting documents: