Planning Application Details

That the proposal would be contrary to the policies of the Structure Plan for Oxfordshire and the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan which seek to restrain the overall level of development (Policies G1) particularly within the Oxford Green Belt where development will generally only be permitted for agriculture, forestry and recreation and care will be taken to ensure the visual amenities of the Green Belt and the purposes for including land within it, are not injured or prejudiced (SP Policy EN5, SOLP GB2, GB3. The Council's foremost concern in relation to development adjoining the River Thames is the maintenance of the particular character of the river, its valley and the settlements on its banks (SOLP Policy C4). The South Oxfordshire Local Plan allows for the re-use of rural buildings subject to certain provisos including a requirement that in the case of proposals for residential use, other uses have been explored and found to unacceptable in planning terms (SOLP C11). The conversion of the boathouse to a dwellinghouse would be harmful to the special rural character and openness of this part of the Oxford Green Belt and River Thames valley. Other uses for the building have not been explored and found unacceptable in planning terms. That the proposed development would be contrary to the policies of the adopted South Oxfordshire Local Plan which seek to ensure that development proposals do not prejudice the safety of users of the public highway (SOLP Policy G10). The proposal if permitted would result in an unacceptable intensification of use of a substandard access lacking adequate visibility and awareness of the single traffic movements to the detriment of the safety and convenience of users of the public highway.