Agenda item

Refused reasons to be set out in the minutes

The Committee considered application 18/02056/OUT, an outline application for the erection of up to 84no dwellings with public open space, landscaping and sustainable drainage system (SuDS) and vehicular access point from Merton Rd - All matters reserved except for means of access at Land North of Merton Road Ambrosden for Gladman Developments Ltd.

Councillor Dan Sames, addressed the committee as Ward member.

Maureen Cossens, Ambrosden Parish Council and Pamela Roberts, Vice Chairman of CPRE addressed the committee in objection to the application.

In reaching their decision the committee considered the officers’ report, presentation, written update and addresses of the ward member and public speakers.

Resolved

That application 18/02056/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, in the open countryside and taking into account the number of dwellings already permitted at Ambrosden as well as Cherwell District Council’s ability to demonstrate an up-to-date five housing land supply, is considered to be unnecessary, undesirable and unsustainable development that would lead to an over concentration of new housing development in Ambrosden, which would undermine the housing strategy and prejudice a more balanced distribution of rural housing growth planned for in the Cherwell Local Plan (2011-2031) Part 1. Thus, the proposal is unacceptable in principle and contrary to Policy Villages 2 of the Cherwell Local Plan (2011-2031) Part 1 and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

2.               The development proposed, by reason of its siting beyond the built up area of the village to the south west of the village, excessive scale and poorly integrated relationship with existing built development, would cause local landscape harm and a significant amount of harm to the character and appearance of the countryside, as well as cause considerable harm to the character and appearance of the area and would fail to reinforce local distinctiveness. It would also result in 'less than substantial' harm to the significance of the Grade II* listed Church of St Mary and the harm stemming from the proposal is not considered to be outweighed by any public benefits. Thus, the proposal is 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 advice within the National Planning Policy Framework.

3.               In the absence of the completion of a satisfactory unilateral undertaking or any other form of Section 106 legal agreement, the Local Planning Authority is not satisfied that the necessary infrastructure directly required both on and off site as a result of this development, in the interests of safeguarding public infrastructure, mitigating highway safety concerns, encouraging use of sustainable modes of transportation, delivering mixed and balanced communities by the provision of affordable housing and securing on site future maintenance arrangements will be provided. This would be contrary to Policy INF1, PSD1, SLE4, BSC3, BSC4, BSC9, BSC10, BSC11, BSC12, ESD1 and ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan (2011-2031) Part 1 and Government guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.