Land West of London Lane, Ascott under Wychwood, Oxfordshire, OX7 6AB

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the location of the proposed development is appropriate in principle in terms of the policy approach to housing development in Ascott under Wychwood
• Whether the Council can demonstrate a five year supply of housing land
• The effect of the proposed development on the setting and significance of the designated heritage assets, namely the Grade II* listed Church of the Holy Trinity, Grade II listed Crown Farmhouse and Grade II listed buildings at Nos. 9 & 11 The Green
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area having particular regard to the effect on the Cotswolds Natural Landscape
• Whether there are any exceptional circumstances which justify major development with the Cotswolds Natural Landscape and whether such development would be in the public interest
• Whether the policies which are most important for determining the application are out of date due to a lack of a five year supply of housing land or any other reason and, if so, would any adverse impacts of the proposed development significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits

What decided it

The harm to the Cotswolds Natural Landscape (AONB) and to the setting of designated heritage assets was not outweighed by the housing benefits, and no exceptional circumstances or public interest justification under paragraph 183 of the Framework was demonstrated.

The substantial benefits of market and affordable housing delivery, together with moderate economic and environmental benefits, did not outweigh the significant harm to the character and appearance of the Cotswolds Natural Landscape and the less than substantial harm to the setting of heritage assets, so the balance tipped against the proposal