Agenda item

Erection of two dwellings with associated access and landscaping (as amended by plans received on the 25th of August 2022).

The committee considered planning application P22/V1120/FUL for the erection of two dwellings with associated access and landscaping (as amended by plans received on the 25th of August 2022), on land at Site Of 1 Sugworth Crescent, Radley, Abingdon.  

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance, and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report, which formed part of the agenda pack for the meeting. 

The planning officer introduced the report and highlighted that the application was called into the committee by Councillor Diana Lugova. The planning officer informed the committee that site was in the parish of Radley but was considered to be within the built-up area of Kennington, withing the Oxford Green Belt. There was previously a single dwelling on the site, but this was demolished leaving the site vacant.

The planning officer also indicated that permission was previously granted for a new dwelling to the north of the site, and that this application sought to subdivide the plot and erect 2 semi-detached houses on the south side.

As this application fell within the Oxford Green Belt, it would be considered
inappropriate development unless there were certain exceptions. As the planning officer believed that the application could be considered limited infilling in a village, they recommended permission be granted subject to conditions.

Chris Henderson spoke on behalf of Radley Parish Council, objecting to the application.

Alex Edge, the agent representing the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Councillor Bob Johnston, a local ward councillor, spoke objecting to the application.

Members then asked why officers considered the site was in the built-up area of Kennington, when it was in Radley, and the planning officer confirmed that it was considered to be in the built-up area of Kennington village in planning terms but was in the parish of Radley.

The committee also noted that the application was for a pair of semi-detached
houses in addition to the previously approved plans for the north of the site for an additional dwelling, meaning there would be three dwellings on the site in total if the application was approved. Members believed that if three properties were put forward together then they would not be approved as it would be considered overdevelopment and out of character with the surrounding area.

As the committee agreed that this application was overdevelopment of a green belt site and that the semi-detached buildings and their frontage onto the road were out of character with the surrounding area, the members agreed that the application should be refused.

A motion, moved and seconded, to refuse the application was carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to refuse planning application P22/V1120/FUL, for the following
reasons:

1.       The proposed erection of two dwellings in addition to the single dwelling previously approved is considered to constitute overdevelopment of the site which would harm the openness of the Green Belt, contrary to policy CP13 of the Vale of White Horse Local Plan 2031 Part 1, policy PP.2 of the Radley Neighbourhood Plan and paragraph 137 of the NPPF.

2..      The semi-detached design of the proposed dwellings is contrary to the unique character of the area particularly in relation to Sugworth Crescent to the north and the proposed hardstanding is considered to be overly prominent in the street scene. Therefore, the proposed development would be out of keeping with and harmful to local character, contrary to policy CP37 of the Vale of White Horse Local Plan Part 1 and paragraph 130 of the NPPF.