Planning Application Details

That the proposals would be contrary to the general restraint, housing and environmental policies of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan, particularly policies G1, G2, EN1, EN4 and H1, the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan, particularly policies G1, G3, G8, C3, H1 and H5, and the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 Second Deposit draft 2003, particularly policies G1, G2, G5, C1, C10, H1, H2 and H5. The site is not allocated for residential development and the proposals represent neither infill development nor previously developed land.

That the proposed erection of nineteen dwellings on the site which lies to the rear of The Swan, a grade 11* listed building, would unacceptably detract from the open setting of the listed building. As such the proposals would be contrary to policy CON 7 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan and the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 Second deposit draft 2003 and to advice contained in PPG 15 - Planning and the Historic Environment.

That the proposals necessitate the removal of local landscape features including trees (the subject of an unconfirmed TPO 18/2004) and an established pond contrary to policy G8, C14 and C16 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan and policies C8 and C10 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 second deposit draft 2003. The dwellings on plots 13 and 14 would adversely affect the health and stability of a group of willow trees and there is likely to be pressure from the future occupiers of plots 6 and 7 to remove other trees adjacent to these dwellings to the detriment of the visual amenities and nature conservation interest of the site. In addition, it has been established that the pond contains a population of great crested and smooth newts and, as the application is not accompanied by any details suggesting mitigation measures, the proposal is likely to result in the loss of the newt population, which are protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

That the proposals would be contrary to policies G1, G8 and C3 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan, policies G2 and G6 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 second deposit draft 2003 and advice contained in the South Oxfordshire Design Guide. The proposal is considered to be an overdevelopment of the site and the layout is an inward looking courtyard which is not informed by its setting, would appear overintensive, suburban, formal and insular on this rural site and would be out of keeping with the open nature of the addjoining village green. In addition the layout is dominated by car parking and garaging and it is considered that such a development would detract from the open charater of this part of Tetsworth which lies within an Area of Great Landscape Value.