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Principle of Development
The Principle of Development considers whether the proposed use is in accordance with planning policy, before looking at other matters such as the design, layout etc.
On this application, planning officers may consider (amongst other matters) whether:
The Change of Use from agricultural/equestrian to residential is appropriate on a green field site such as this;
The site is in a Sustainable Location, according to national and local planning policy; and
Subject to the above being acceptable, if the Scale (amount) of development is appropriate for the site.
The following points represent a high-level assessment of the planning application documents. If you want to know more about this application, a detailed assessment on all of these points can be found on the ‘Links’ tab.
The applicant misrepresents policy - development of this type shouldn’t be permitted in Stratton Audley.
The Cherwell Local Plan, in both its current and emerging format, seeks to direct development towards sustainable locations and strictly control development in the open countryside. Stratton Audley is designated as a Category C village under Policy Villages 1 – the least sustainable category within the district – where development is restricted to infill (fronting onto established roads), conversions, or replacement buildings.
The applicant incorrectly represents Stratton Audley as a village where minor development would be permitted. Planning policy doesn’t allow for this.
This application isn’t infill - it’s inappropriate development of the open countryside.
This application isn’t infill and instead constitutes backland development behind existing properties. Therefore, it isn’t acceptable and is in clear conflict with Policy Villages 1.
The application site sits within the open countryside (as demonstrated by planning documents relating to adjacent properties which specifically identify the post-and-rail fencing as being appropriate to an ‘open countryside setting’). Despite this, the proposals fail to meet any of the criteria under Policy H18 for development in the countryside.
Planning policy says that new homes should be built in sustainable locations - not in Stratton Audley.
Stratton Audley is an unsustainable location with no schools, medical facilities, shops, or adequate public transport. The village's Category C classification reflects its high dependency on car use. Residents of this development would be heavily reliant on private vehicles to access essential services and facilities, contrary to National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requirements for sustainable development.
The Paddock has been identified as part of an important Settlement Gap.
Furthermore, the application site sits within the emerging Local Plan's Policy COM13 Settlement Gap (shown in green on the plan below), designated to protect the separate identity of Stratton Audley and retain its rural character. The proposals fail to comply with this policy and would erode the key characteristics of this strategic gap.
