Land West of Fringford Road, Caversfield, OX27 8TJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• The extent of the housing land supply for this area and the implications of this
• The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area including the GAP
• The effect on the setting of the RAF Bicester Conservation Area
• Whether or not the proposed development would preserve the Grade II* St. Laurence's Church having regard to its setting
• The sustainability of the site in terms of its location
• Whether or not the site is suitable for development having regard to flood risk

What decided it

The very significant weight attributable to the delivery of much-needed housing, including 35% affordable housing, in the context of a serious housing land supply shortfall, outweighed the moderate heritage and landscape harms identified.

The significant benefits of housing delivery (including affordable housing), economic benefits, biodiversity net gain and resolution of existing surface water flooding outweighed the moderate harms to character and appearance, the setting of the RAF Bicester Conservation Area, and the heritage assets around Caversfield House and the Church, so the balance tipped in favour of the scheme.