20 dwellings at 37 Wilkins Close, Brize Norton, Carterton

“The application site (0.64 hectares) is located on the southern side of Combe Road within the village of Stonesfield. It comprises predominantly a grass meadow with two coppices of trees (to be retained in the proposal) and two wooden stable buildings in its western corner. The site forms the southern edge of a plateau of land above steeply sloping ground to the south, descending to the River Evenlode.”

“The majority of the local street scene is made up of two / two and a half storey traditional styled Cotswold stone buildings with slate roofs. The buildings closest to the site on Combe Road itself comprise predominantly semi-detached former Council houses, dating from the 1920s onwards. The site falls within the Stonesfield Conservation Area (the north western front part only) and Cotswolds National Landscape (CNL) (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)).”

“The combination of significant and evidenced unmet affordable housing need, the absence of any realistic alternative site within or adjoining the village capable of delivering equivalent provision, the constrained nature of the Burford-Charlbury sub-area within which virtually all land is designated CNL, the limited and time-reducing nature of the landscape harm, and the substantial wider public benefits including the nature enhancement of the majority of the field, together…”

“The heritage harm, whilst also requiring great weight pursuant to the statutory duties under the 1990 Act and paragraph 212 of the NPPF, falls within the less than substantial range. As set out in the Heritage Assets section, Officers are satisfied that the strong social justification identified by the Conservation and Design Officer is demonstrated by the evidenced affordable housing need and the wider public benefits of the scheme.”

“Housing need - the housing market will provide more than sufficient housing to meet identified need, so there is no need (according to the WODC Local Plan 2031 and to the recent village Housing Needs Assessment) for any additional market housing, whether within the built-up area or on adjoining land within the parish of Stonesfield.”

“Lead Local Flood Authority: Holding objection. A Flood Risk Assessment has been submitted and is acceptable in principle. A Sustainable Drainage Options Appraisal and Strategy has also been provided to demonstrate how surface water runoff will be managed post-development. Notwithstanding this, the LLFA currently objects to the application pending the submission of infiltration testing in accordance with BRE365 to demonstrate soakage rates.”

“The site lies within the Cotswolds National Landscape (CNL) and Stonesfield Conservation Area, where major development should be refused unless exceptional circumstances exist. No such exceptional circumstances or public benefits have been demonstrated contrary to local plan policy. • The proposal is outside the village envelope and constitutes unjustified encroachment into open countryside.”

“Stonesfield Community Trust commented as follows: Or iSupport for the application. There is strong evidence that Stonesfield has a very significant unmet affordable housing need and The Stonesfield Community Trust is aware that there is a shortage of affordable accommodation in the village.”

“With the appointment times staggered and opening times proposed, onsite parking would be sufficient. There had been no objections from Oxfordshire County Council Highways. The recommendation was to approve the application. The Chair invited the members of the sub-committee to debate the application. The following points were raised: • Members asked if there was plumbing included in the application.”

“Members asked if the applicant had not been a spouse of a WODC officer, would the application be before the sub-committee. The application was referred to committee because of the applicant's connection to a council officer, in line with the Council's procedures for maintaining transparency and avoiding any perception of bias.”