Land Adj To Ridgeway House Hogg End Bloxham

1. 1.The proposed development would be an urbanising form of development which, by reason of its location, access along The Ridgeway and proposed land use, would result in development beyond the built-up limits of the settlement, with dwellings poorly related to the existing village. The development would cause a significant adverse impact on the rural setting of the village resulting in a harmful visual intrusion of development into the landscape and open countryside and would therefore harm the rural character and appearance and quality of the area. The proposed development would also result in significant adverse effects on the character and appearance of the Ridgeway. Further, by reason of the design, scale and massing of Plot 5 the proposal would adversely affect the character and appearance 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.By reason of its design and layout the proposed development would fail to provide adequate levels of amenity to Plot 3 due to overlooking from first floor windows in the adjacent dwelling known as Davicani to the west. As such the proposal is contrary to Policy ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 Part 1, Saved Policy C30 of the Cherwell Local Plan 1996 and Government guidance in the National Planning Policy Framework.
3. 3.The application fails to demonstrate that the proposed development would have adequate access arrangements, in particular that appropriate visibility splays can be established from the site access onto Ridgeway, ensuring that these splays are contained entirely within the applicant’s property and do not extend onto land owned by third parties. In addition, insufficient information has been provided concerning (i) the refuse collection service for the proposed development, including confirmation that the swept path lies entirely within the designated red boundary line of the access on the Ridgeway, and (ii) the hose length of fire tender vehicles and the drag distance to the bin collection concerning the detached 4-bedroom dwelling. In the absence of this information, the Local Planning Authority cannot be satisfied that the proposal would not result in harm to highway safety or the convenience of other road users, without - in the case of the access/visibility onto The Ridgeway - demonstrable harm to its character and appearance. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy ESD15 of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 and the National Planning Policy Framework. 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.

Application type

Full Development

Scale / size

Large

Parish

Bloxham

Date validated

11 February 2026

Last date for comments

16 April 2026

Target decision date

17 April 2026

Agent address

Miss Megan King The Old Bank 39 Market Square Witney OX28 6AD

Statutory period

65 days

Documents

131