Land West Of Foxden Way Great Bourton

1. 1.The proposed development would be an urbanising form of development which, by reason of its location and proposed land use would result in an isolated cluster of dwellings poorly related to the existing village, would adversely impact the rural setting of the village and would result in a harmful visual intrusion of development into the landscape and open countryside, and would therefore result in harm to the rural character and appearance and quality of the area. This identified harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policies ESD13 and ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1, Saved Policies C8 and C28 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and Government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework.
2. 2.The proposed development would be sited in a geographically unsustainable location with poor access to services and facilities and therefore future residents would be highly reliant on the private car to meet their day to day needs which would not reduce the need to travel and would result in increased car journeys and hence carbon emissions. The proposed development therefore conflicts with Policies ESD1 and SLE4 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1 and Government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework. This identified harm would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits associated with the proposed development and therefore the development does not constitute sustainable development when assessed against the National Planning Policy Framework as a whole.
3. 3.It has not been demonstrated that the development would be exempt from the requirement to deliver biodiversity net gain as the red line site area does not include all land necessary to carry out the proposed development. As such there is insufficient information to demonstrate that the proposal would be capable of delivering appropriate biodiversity net gains contrary to Policy ESD10 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031, the National Planning Policy Framework relating to net gains for biodiversity, and Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. In accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) and paragraph 39 of the National Planning Policy Framework, Cherwell Council has given consideration to whether amendments or additional information would overcome its concerns with the application, but unfortunately it has concluded that it would not be possible to resolve those concerns within the scope and timescales of this application. Cherwell Council has resolved that the application proposals do not amount to sustainable development and consent must accordingly be refused. The case officer’s report and recommendation in respect of this application provides a detailed assessment of the merits of the application when considered against current planning policy and guidance, including consideration of the issues raised by the comments received from consultees and members of the public.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

OX17 1QP

Application type

Outline Application

Scale / size

Medium

Parish

Bourton

Date validated

8 January 2026

Last date for comments

11 February 2026

Target decision date

17 March 2026

Statutory period

68 days

Documents

93