115 homes in west Oxfordshire have been halted by an inspector due to potential harm to the setting of a conservation area nearby and possible disruption to occupants from a neighbouring football club's floodlights.
The appeal involved two large fields on the edge of Caterton, which is situated 12 miles west from Oxford, on which the appellant wanted to build 115 houses.
The inspector, Hayley Butcher, argued that the gap between Carterton and the smaller village of Shilton was necessary as an "important visual gap" and any development between the two would take away from Shilton's historic rural setting.
The appellant argued they would develop planting in the area to help conceal the housing, but it was decided the planting would take too long to mature and would not fully cover the housing, particularly in winter.
Concerns were also raised about Carterton Football Club's floodlights and noise, which would be close to the proposed housing. It was noted that "humans are sensitive receptors" and the floodlight would be likely to cause a nuisance.
Finally, the council established the development could result in loss of habitat for various farmland breeding birds, including yellow wagtails, linnets, and skylarks.
After a consideration of the balance between the need for affordable housing and the possible harm to the conservation area and living conditions of future occupants, the appeal was dismissed.
