Oxfordshire farm plans for 10 homes recommended for refusal

Developer Laxton Properties is seeking permission from Cherwell District Council to redevelop land at Dovecote Farm in Fritwell Road in Somerton into 10 houses.

The application, which was submitted in January, also proposes the building of a community allotment and a footpath access route.

A change of use from pastural farming to public outdoor amenity or leisure space on land adjacent to the Somerton Play Area has also been proposed.

Cherwell District Council’s planning committee will debate the scheme on April 16.

Planning officers have recommended it be refused.

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A computer generated image showing how the plans would look. (Image: BHPH Architects)

In the report to the committee, the officers said: “It would result in an urbanising development with the layout and form of housing more typical of modern urban developments.

“It is considered that the identified harm to the character and appearance of the locality is considered to represent unsustainable development and would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme, and it is recommended that planning permission is refused, for the reason given below.

“The provision of 10 dwellings would make a very limited contribution to the overall housing needs of the District along with the government’s wider objective for 1.5 million homes.

“This application does not provide any affordable housing. The provision of 10 dwellings does not outweigh the concerns relating to the unsustainable and isolated location of the application site.”

In an objection, a spokesperson for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) said: “The location does not lend itself to minimising vehicular trips and amenities are not within comfortable and safe walking or cycling distance.

“The consequences of the proposed development are likely to be significant when considering the visual impact on the landscape character in this area of open countryside and how this will be affected by the proposed development.

“Ultimately it is the opinion of CPRE that new homes should be provided through the plan-led system.

“This is the best means we have of ensuring that development decisions are based on democratic and transparent policies, and that environmental, social and economic needs are met.”

The existing yard at Dovecote Farm is made up of five large barns of varying size due to its most recent use as an agricultural yard.

According to a planning document, the existing farmyard is now redundant for agricultural purposes due to the farmer and landowner moving into retirement.

Therefore, it will no longer operate an agricultural unit from the site.

The proposed houses consist of a mixture of two storey properties and bungalows, with two detached bungalows.