Six new dwellings at Land at Woodway Farm, Chinnor Road, Aston Rowant

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission to demolish equestrian buildings and build six homes with access, parking and amenity space.

“The committee considered planning application P25/S1671/O.”

“Outline planning application (scale, landscaping and appearance reserved) for demolition of the existing equestrian buildings and erection of six detached and semi-detached dwellings with access, parking (including car ports) and amenity space. (As amended by plans received 28 November 2025.) As Per Drainage and Ecology Information received 4 February 2026”

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The site

The proposal would redevelop the existing equestrian site, with appearance, scale and landscaping reserved for later approval.

“The planning officer presented the report. The proposal was for outline planning permission for the redevelopment of the existing equestrian site at Woodway Farm through the demolition of the current buildings and the provision of 6 new dwellings. Appearance, scale and landscaping would be reserved for later approval. The key considerations were whether the principle of development, together with the proposed access and layout, would be acceptable.”

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Officers’ recommendation

Officers considered the proposal acceptable and recommended approval because it reused a developed site without unacceptable harm.

“As no technical objections had been received the proposal was considered acceptable in terms of landscape, ecology, drainage, residential amenity and highway safety. South Oxfordshire cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and national planning policy would require significant weight be given to sustainable development in these circumstances.”

“The proposal would make effective use of a previously developed site, providing six additional homes without causing unacceptable harm. The recommended conditions would address detailed matters and the subsequent reserved matters application. The application was recommended for approval.”

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Technical views and concerns

The Parish Council and local residents raised concerns, while council officers and other consultees raised no technical objections subject to conditions.

“A number of concerns had been raised by the Parish Council and local residents regarding sustainability, landscape impact, highway safety, drainage, ecology, and the site’s relationship to the village. These matters had also been assessed by the Council’s own professional consultees.”

“On highway matters, Oxfordshire County Council raised no objections. The Highway Authority concluded that the proposal would not cause an unacceptable impact on highway safety or severe impacts on the road network. In relation to parking, turning areas and visibility splays could all be accommodated and secured through planning conditions.”

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Who spoke

A councillor spoke for the parish council, and two speakers supported the application.

Members’ questions and views

Members discussed access, policy, landscaping and lighting, then said they supported the application and saw no policy reason for refusal.

“A member asked about access arrangements for the existing farm and was informed that this would be through the use of an existing track access, with the main gated access only used by the farm’s combine harvester.”

“Members commented that they supported the application and that the site visit, held on Tuesday 14 July 2026 had helped. Members stated that they could not see a policy reason which would support refusal of the application.”

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The vote

A motion to approve the application with an additional access management condition was carried.

“A motion, moved and seconded, to approve the application, with the additional condition relating to an access management plan, was carried on being put to the vote.”

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The decision

The committee approved the outline application subject to conditions, including an access management plan covering residential and agricultural uses.

“Wording for additional condition 21: No development shall commence until an Access Management Plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The access management plan shall include details of access arrangements for both the residential and agricultural uses. The development shall thereafter be carried out in accordance with the approved plan and so maintained.”

“RESOLVED: to approve outline planning application P25/S1671/O subject to the following conditions: 1. Commencement – Outline with Reserved Matters 2. Approved plans 3. Ecology – HMMP 4. Ecology – CEMP 5. Ecology – External Lighting 6. Ecology – Enhancements 7. Flooding – Groundwater Monitoring 8. Surface water drainage works (details required) 9. Foul drainage works – (details required) 10. Surface water drainage – Compliance 11. Foul drainage works – Compliance 12.”

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