Planning Application Details

The site lies on the outskirts of Forest Hill, a settlement with few facilities within the Oxford Green Belt. The proposal represents an undesirable consolidation of the existing loose knit development on the east of Wheatley Road in an unsustainable location. As such the proposal is contrary to Policies G1, G5 and H1 of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan and Policies G2, G4, and H6 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan.

The site lies within the Oxford Green Belt where there is a presumption against inappropriate development. The erection of a new dwelling in this location would be an inappropriate from of development which would detract from the openness of the Green Belt and be intrusive in the rural landscape contrary to Policy G4 of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan and Policy GB2 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan.

The location of the new access to serve the proposed dwelling does not meet the required visibility standards used by the Local Highway Authority. This is a concern as vehicles will enter the public highway without the required visibility splays, which will be detrimental to highway safety and contrary to Policy T8 of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan 2016 and Policy T1 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan.

The proposed off- street parking space would not be served by an adequate turning facility, which is considered essential by the Local Highway Authority as the Wheatley Road (B4027) is a busy classified road. This is a concern as vehicles are likely to reverse out of the site (without the required visibility splays), which will be detrimental to highway safety and contrary to Policy T8 of the Oxfordshire Structure Plan 2016 and Policy T1 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan.

In the absence of details with this application, the Local Planning Authority is not satisfied that a new dwelling could be built on site without adversely affecting the setting of the listed building and the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. As such the proposal would fail to conserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Forest Hill Conservation Area and the setting of the adjacent listed building contrary to Policies G2, Con 5 and Con 7 of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan.