Fir Cottage, Fir Lane, Steeple Aston, OX25 4SF, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX25 4SF

Planning appeal 3373904 at Fir Cottage, Fir Lane, Steeple Aston, OX25 4SF, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX25 4SF (Cherwell District Council) was dismissed on 17 February 2026 by Inspector Smith H, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposal would preserve the Grade II listed building, or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses, and preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Steeple Aston Conservation Area.

demolition of existing single-storey extensions and part demolition of an existing first-floor extension. Erection of a part single-storey/part two-storey rear extension and associated internal alterations

Authority: Cherwell District Council
Appeal type: householder · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Householder developments
Inspector: Smith H
Postcode: OX25 4SF

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the proposal would preserve the Grade II listed building, or any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses, and preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Steeple Aston Conservation Area

What decided it

The harm to the significance of the designated heritage assets, assessed as less than substantial but of considerable importance and weight, was not outweighed by the small public benefits arising from the proposal.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy ESD15Policy C18Policy C28
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 213Paragraph 214Paragraph 215

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

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The decision letter

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6 other decided appeals within two kilometres of this site. In the app every dot opens its decision, and its letter wherever one was published, and you can draw your own site to see what has been decided around it.AllowedDismissedSplitThis decision

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More decisions in Cherwell District Council

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.