Land West of Thame Road, Chinnor, OX39 4QU

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• the extent to which the proposal would harm the character and appearance of the countryside, having particular regard to the setting of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; the landscape setting of Chinnor; the visual amenity of people in and around the settlement; and the visual separation of Emmington and Sydenham towards Chinnor
• the adequacy, or otherwise, of the proposed arrangements for pedestrian accessibility on to Thame Road and connectivity with 'everyday' community facilities and services in the village
• whether sufficient evidence has been submitted to demonstrate that the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land from within part of the site would be the most sustainable choice from reasonable alternatives on the premise that areas of poorer quality land should be used first in preference to that of a higher quality
• the extent and consequences of the shortfall in the Council's housing land supply
• whether, or to what extent, the proposed development complies with the development plan, having particular regard to its spatial strategy and the availability or otherwise of community infrastructure
• whether or not the tilted balance under paragraph 11(d) of the Framework is engaged; and the determination of the resultant planning balance, in light of all material considerations

What decided it

The significant harm to landscape character and visual amenity, combined with conflict with the development plan and loss of best and most versatile agricultural land, was found to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the housing and other benefits under the tilted balance.

The adverse impacts of landscape and visual harm, loss of best and most versatile agricultural land and conflict with the development plan significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits of housing delivery and other identified benefits, so the tilted balance did not favour granting permission.