Care
will be taken to ensure that the visual amenities of the Green Belt
are not injured by development within, or conspicuous from, the Green
Belt which, although not prejudicial to its main purpose, might be
inappropriate by reason of siting, materials or design.
G5 In
the open countryside, sporadic and ribbon development and development
in the vicinity of motorway or major road junctions will not be permitted.
Special consideration will be given to development proposals for agricultural,
forestry or outdoor recreational needs or for other uses appropriate
to a rural area which cannot reasonably be accommodated in a nearby
settlement.
EN1 The
nature, size, location or cumulative effects of a development should
not have an unacceptable environmental impact.
EN4 The
natural beauty of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be conserved
to reflect their national importance. Proposed developments should
not conflict with this aim.
Elsewhere
local planning authorities will take account of the impact of proposed
developments on local landscape character. Development will be permitted
only if it does not unacceptably damage the local landscape.
EN12 Development
in the flood plain, or which would result in an unacceptable risk
of flooding, will not be permitted unless appropriate flood protection
and compensation measures can be provided.
EN13 Development
will only be permitted where adequate water resources for the development
already exist or can be readily provided without risk to existing
abstractions, water quality, the water environment and nature conservation.
R4 The
local planning authorities will seek to increase and improve access
to the countryside.
The
existing network of public rights of way including routes in towns
will be maintained and improved. Development which would damage the
rights of way network will be resisted.
WD4 Provision
will be made for sufficient landfill sites to dispose of that waste
which remains to be disposed of once minimisation, re-use, recycling
and reduction policies have been applied. The County Council will
control the release and location of landfill sites so that waste which
has to be landfilled is used to assist the progressive restoration
of mineral workings to appropriate after-uses with the least possible
harm to the environment.
WD5 Waste
disposal by landfill will only be allowed into sites where mineral
extraction has taken place. Planning permission for landraising and
other forms of landfill will not be granted unless it can be demonstrated
that it is necessary to improve the agricultural quality of the land.
Minerals
and Waste Local Plan (1996)
W7 To
control the release and location of landfill sites in such a way as
to ensure that satisfactory restoration is progressively achieved
with the least possible harm to the environment. Proposals will therefore
be assessed against the following criteria:
(a) there
is a definite need for the facilities which can not be met by
existing or permitted landfill sites;
(b) there
should be no material damage or disturbance to the environment
or to the amenities of residential and other sensitive uses or
buildings, both during and after operation, by reason of noise,
dust, vermin, smell, gas and other pollution, or long-term damage
to the visual amenities;
(c) the
proposed filling should not raise or impede the floodplain of
rivers and streams or create risk of pollution of surface or underground
water courses;
(d) the
proposal will cause no material damage to any feature of importance
within a Site of Special Scientific Interest or other site of
nature conservation importance which cannot be protected by measures
incorporated within the proposal;
(e) the
proposal will cause no material damage to an ancient monument
or archaeologically important area requiring permanent preservation;
(f) the
proposal will not adversely affect an Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty or of High Landscape Value;
(g) in
the case of proposals in the Green Belt the development should
not injure the visual amenities of the Green Belt or conflict
with its purposes because of inappropriate siting, scale or design;
(h) the
proposed access to the site, and transport routes for carrying
waste to it, are suitable for the volume and nature of traffic
which may be expected;
(i) the
site and the methods of operation proposed are capable of progressive
restoration and completion within an acceptable period having
regard to the particular circumstances in each case;
(j) proposals
for sites must meet with the hydrological and geological requirements
for safe disposal of the particular waste concerned;
(k) where
waste disposal might damage the visual amenities of an area during
the period of operation, the site will be screened by earth mounding,
tree planting or other techniques appropriate to the area.
PE3 Appropriate
buffer zones will be safeguarded around mineral workings or waste
disposal sites for protection against unacceptable losses of residential
or natural amenity.
PE4 Proposals
for mineral extraction and restoration (including waste disposal)
will not be permitted where they would have an impact on groundwater
levels in the surrounding area which would harm existing water abstraction,
river flow, canal, lake or pond levels or important natural habitats.
Proposals must not put at risk the quality of groundwater.
PE5 Mineral
working or waste disposal should not harm the immediate setting and
nature conservation value of the River Thames and other watercourses
of significant visual or nature conservation value, or canals.
PE6 Where
mineral working or waste disposal is to be permitted a further buffer
zone must be left between the mineral working/waste disposal and adjacent
significant watercourses and canals to preserve their setting and
avoid pollution. The size and landscape treatment of the buffer zone
will depend on the characteristics of the area and the details of
the proposals. Proposals for diversion of watercourses will be determined
in accordance with policy PE5. Existing trees and hedges should be
retained.
PE7 In
the floodplain proposals for mineral extraction and restoration should
not result in the raising of existing ground levels. Mineral extraction
or restoration by landfill should not adversely affect groundwater
levels or water quality, impede flood flows, reduce the capacity of
flood storage or adversely affect existing flood defence structures.
The developer and/or landowner will be expected to undertake any hydrological
surveys necessary to establish the implications of a proposal.
PE11 The
rights of way network should be maintained and individual rights of
way retained in situ. Diversion should be temporary, safe and convenient
and should be reinstated as soon as possible. Any proposal for permanent
diversion should fulfil the functions of recreational and communications
use of the right of way. Improvements to the rights of way network
will be encouraged.
PE13 Mineral
workings and landfill sites should be restored within a reasonable
timescale to an after-use appropriate to the location and surroundings.
Proposals for restoration, aftercare and after-use should be submitted
at the same time as any application for mineral working. Planning
permission will not be granted for mineral working or landfill sites
unless satisfactory proposals have been made for the restoration and
after-use, and means of securing them in the long-term.
PE17 Every
application for mineral extraction or waste disposal should as appropriate
be accompanied by:
(a) a
full description of existing site conditions including a preliminary
archaeological assessment based on a desk study;
(b) a
working plan indicating all aspects of the extraction/disposal
operation;
(c) plans,
details and any draft obligations necessary to fulfil policy PE13;
(d) a
written statement and landscape survey providing full supporting
details, including details of the relationship of the proposals
to the wider surrounding area and hydrological/hydrogeological
surveys where the site is in the floodplain or near to an SSSI;
and
(e) full
transport information, including details of traffic generation
and proposed lorry routes.
PE18 In
determining applications covered by this Plan the County Council will:
(a) have
regard to the appropriate provisions of the Code of Practice in
Annex 1, which is part of this Plan, and
(b) regulate
and control development by the imposition of conditions on the
grant of permission. Where this cannot satisfactorily be done,
appropriate planning obligations will be sought.
South
Oxfordshire Local Plan (adopted April 1997)
G1 The
Council will seek to protect the District’s countryside, settlements
and environmental resources from adverse developments and seek to
enhance the environment whenever opportunities arise.
G2 In
considering all proposals for development the Council will take account
of the likely impact on the environment and the need to conserve non-renewable
resources. The Council will normally require applicants to submit
environmental statements with planning applications where the proposals
are considered likely to have significant environmental effects.
G7 Proposals
which would (by reason of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot,
ash, dust, grit, or other forms of polluting emissions) have an adverse
effect on people, the atmosphere, the land, underground water supplies
and watercourses will not be permitted. Proposals for the expansion
or intensification of existing uses causing adverse environmental
effects will generally only be permitted where such proposals would
secure a significant reduction in environmental impact.
G8 The
District Council will seek to ensure that all new development displays
a high standard of design and layout. Planning permission will only
be granted when the following criteria are met:
(i) the
layout of the development respects the landscape characteristics
of the site and its surroundings and retains important topographic
features, watercourses, ponds, trees and hedgerows;
(ii) the
overall scale and density of the development and the height and
massing of its various elements are in keeping with the site and
its surroundings;
(iii) in
appropriate locations the design of new buildings and the materials
used in their construction are in keeping with the character and
form of the local built environment.
Proposed
agricultural buildings will be considered under Policy C8.
G9 Where
appropriate, the Council will require landscaping and planting as
an integral part of new development.
G16 In
areas liable to flood, as shown on the proposals maps, planning permission
will not be granted for any proposals which would:
(i) impede
the flow of flood-water;
(ii) reduce
the capacity of the flood plain; or
(iii) increase
the risks to life or property as risk from flooding;
unless
appropriate flood mitigation measures are included.
G17 Where
surface water run-off from development is likely to result in an adverse
impact on people and property, appropriate attenuation measures must
be provided.
GB1 The
boundaries of the Green Belt shall be as shown on the proposals map.
GB3 Within
the Green Belt the carrying out of engineering and other operations
and the making of any material change in the use of land will not
be permitted unless the openness of the Green Belt is maintained and
there is no conflict with the purposes of including land in the Green
Belt.
C1 The
need to protect the countryside for its own sake will be an important
consideration when assessing proposals for development.
C3 Within
areas of great landscape value, the District Council will seek to
conserve and enhance the quality of the landscape and to protect it
from development which is likely to have an adverse effect on its
character and appearance. The Council will exercise careful control
in relation to the design and siting of buildings and the use of land
generally.
C6 Development
which would damage the attractive landscape setting of the settlements
of the District will not be permitted. The Council will consider the
effect of any proposal on important local landscape features which
contribute to the visual character and sense of place of a settlement.
The Council will also seek to preserve important public views into
and out of a settlement.
C10 Proposals
to diversify the agricultural industry will be permitted provided
that:
(i) the
proposal conforms with the Council’s policies for the use proposed
and there are no overriding amenity, environmental or highway
objections;
(ii) the
land is kept open, and the appearance and character of the landscape
is not damaged and where possible is enhanced;
(iii) the
use is compatible with the countryside location and would not
result in a loss of amenity, or spoil the enjoyment of users of
the countryside; and
(iv) where
farm buildings are to be used, the proposal conforms with Policy
C11. New buildings will not normally be allowed in the open countryside;
they may be permitted in exceptional circumstances and where there
are no overriding environmental objections.
R5 Proposals
for golf courses will normally be permitted if the Council is satisfied
that:
(i) the
essential character of the area is conserved or where possible
enhanced, particularly in the Green Belt and in areas of outstanding
natural beauty. Golf courses will not normally be permitted in
prominent locations or in areas where the landscape would be damaged;
(ii) full
use is made of existing buildings which are worthy of retention.
The only new buildings that will normally be permitted will be
a club-house and maintenance building and these must be limited
in scale and in keeping with the locality in terms of siting,
design and appearance;
(iii) it
would not damage the amenities of local residents, affect the
use or enjoyment of public Rights-of-Way, spoil other people’s
enjoyment of the countryside, cause traffic or highway safety
problems or conflict with the other policies in this plan;
(iv) the
proposal would not adversely affect sites of archaeological, historical
or nature conservation importance or result in the loss of high-grade
agricultural land as defined in Policy C7;
(v) wherever
possible opportunities are taken to enhance the landscape, to
improve public access and wildlife habitats.
R7 The
District Council will seek to retain and protect the existing public
Rights-of-Way network and where appropriate will support proposals
to improve it.
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