The Inspector found that the Council did not have a 5 year housing land supply (4.34 years). However, there was no dispute that the proposal constituted ‘major development’ for the purposes of the National Landscape and the Inspector found that the development’s scale and indicative cul-de-sac nature, would not acceptably visually integrate into its surroundings. It would appear as a backland form of development that, owing to its extent and suburban form, would adversely change the character of the village, jarring with the established grain of linear development. It would also result in the permanent loss of Medieval ridge and furrow. There would be a significant amount of visual harm from public viewpoints and these shortcomings would be exacerbated by the appeal site’s elevated position. Less than substantial harm was found (at the lower end to mid-range) in relation to four listed buildings.

The Inspector weighed this harm against the exceptional circumstances put forward by the Appellant which were the delivery of market and affordable housing. He accepted that there is a significant need for the delivery of more market and affordable homes due to the significant unmet need for housing in West Oxfordshire and chronic shortfall of affordable housing. However, he did not consider that exceptional circumstances had been demonstrated to justify a development of this scale in the Cotswolds National Landscape and this provided a clear reason for refusing the development. He also did not find that the public benefits outweighed the less than substantial harm to the heritage assets.

Annabel Graham Paul successfully appeared for the local planning authority.