®Planning appeal decision
Land Between Chestnut Farm and Elm View, Moreton, Near Thame, OX9 2HY
Planning appeal 6000848 at Land Between Chestnut Farm and Elm View, Moreton, Near Thame, OX9 2HY (South Oxfordshire District Council) was dismissed on 9 February 2026 by Inspector Hughes S, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use and the amount of development with particular regard to the effect on the character and appearance of the area, bearing in mind it would be within the settings of Moreton Conservation Area and the grade II listed Moreton Farmhouse, Vine Cottage and Folly Cottage.
a residential development of up to three dwellings
- Authority
- South Oxfordshire District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Hughes S
- Postcode
- OX9 2HY
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use and the amount of development with particular regard to the effect on the character and appearance of the area, bearing in mind it would be within the settings of Moreton Conservation Area and the grade II listed Moreton Farmhouse, Vine Cottage and Folly Cottage
What decided it
The harm to the significance of the Moreton Conservation Area, assessed as less than substantial but towards the lower end of the range, outweighed the moderate weight given to housing delivery and economic benefits, and provided a strong reason for refusal under paragraph 11(d)(i) of the Framework.
The moderate weight afforded to the delivery of three dwellings and economic benefits was insufficient to outweigh the great weight given to the less than substantial harm to the significance of the Moreton Conservation Area towards the lower end of the range, with the heritage harm providing a strong reason for refusal that displaced the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy ENV1Policy ENV6Policy ENV7Policy ENV8Policy DES1Policy DES2Policy CPQ1
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 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.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in South Oxfordshire
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
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- Dismissed29 October 202660055614 Spring Path, Thame, OX9 2EF
- Allowed26 October 20266011152Luffield House, 85A Wallingford Road, Goring, RG8 0HL
- Dismissed7 October 20266007830Land off Wyfold Lane, Peppard Common, RG9 5LR
- Allowed7 October 20266005521Land Rear of The Paddocks, Lower Icknield Way, Chinnor, OX39 4GR
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.