One five-bedroom house at Land South Of Glebe Cottage Lew Road, Curbridge, Witney

The site and surroundings

The site was paddock land at Curbridge’s eastern edge, beside existing homes, open countryside and a Grade II listed building 140 metres away.

“The site relates to an area of paddock land just south of Glebe Cottage which is surrounded by a small development of six houses and situated at the end of a private drive.”

“The application site lies at the very eastern edge of the built-up area in the southern part of Curbridge. It is outside of the built-up area of the village on open paddock land. The site is largely unrestricted and does not fall within any areas of special designation. However, the Grade II Listed Building 'Duttons Farm Barns' is located 140m to the south of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered four dwellings, changes to that permission, and a stable building whose foundations were laid but which was not completed.

“Permission was previously granted for a stable building on the application site, for which foundations were laid, but it was never fully completed. The current proposals involve the erection of a new 5-bed dwelling, positioned centrally within the plot.”

“Planning History 21/02175/FUL Erection of four dwellings, with garaging and parking along with upgrading of the access onto the Lew Road and associated works. Approved…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal’s benefits outweighed its limited effect on openness and it met relevant policies subject to conditions.

“In terms of harm, the proposal would reduce the openness of the host plot. However, this change is considered limited and not harmful to the character or appearance of the wider landscape. The dwelling would be visually contained, with filtered views from Lew Road, and its scale and design would integrate logically with the existing pattern of development. Subject to conditions, the proposal would deliver a well-designed and logical addition to the street scene.”

“Therefore, officers conclude that the adverse impacts identified do not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme. The proposal accords with the relevant policies of the West Oxfordshire Local Plan 2031 the and the NPPF when taken as a whole. Accordingly, the application is recommended for approval, subject to conditions and completion of a Biodiversity Gain Plan.”

Officer report

What residents said

Eight objection comments raised concerns about access rights, flooding, visual disruption and conflicts between the new home and nearby farming.

“At the time of writing eight objection comments have been received, some neighbours have commented multiple times in relation to the proposal. The comments noted the following key issues:”

“- Legal access uncertainty - whether the development site benefits from the necessary easement and rights of access. - Flooding and drainage risk - whether the revised drainage scheme is technically sound, adequately specified, and capable of preventing runoff and flooding impacts on neighbouring land both now and in the future.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke for the applicant, addressing the parish objections and describing the design, access and drainage arrangements.

What members discussed

Members asked about access width and construction vehicles; officers said the highway authority was satisfied and one extra home would not materially affect highways.

“The proposal was policy-compliant, would not cause harm to the surrounding area and would provide a family home in a sustainable location. The speaker asked that the committee approve the application. The Chair invited members to ask questions of clarification and to debate the application. The following points were raised: • Members asked for clarification on the access width to the site and whether construction vehicles could access the site during the building work.”

“This would maintain public confidence in the planning processes. The Chair acknowledged the concerns and asked that the sub-committee focus on the application currently under consideration. Councillor Andrew Beaney proposed that the application be approved in line with the officer’s recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Phil Godfrey and put to the vote. Vote: for approval 9, against 0, abstain 0 The Sub-Committee Resolved to: 1.”

Minutes

Main conditions

The recommendation included controls for construction, drainage, biodiversity, parking, landscaping, trees and keeping the garage accommodation ancillary.

“No development, including any works of site clearance, shall take place until a Construction Method Statement has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The approved Statement shall be adhered to throughout the construction period and shall provide for: I The parking of vehicles for site operatives and visitors II The loading and unloading of plant and materials III The storage of plant and materials used in constructing the development…”

“The detached garage with accommodation above hereby permitted shall be used as accommodation ancillary to the existing dwelling on the site and shall not be occupied as a separate dwelling.”

Officer report