A PARISH council has objected to plans for a four-bedroom house after it claims developers felled ‘mature trees’ without a licence.
Plans for a four-bedroom ‘family’ home, on the triangular portion of land south of the CALA Homes Carmel Meadows development in Crowmarsh Gifford near Wallingford, is currently in the consultation period.
On the South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) planning applications website it reveals plans submitted by Fair Life Development Ltd to build an additional family home; however, it has objections and concerns from both Crowmarsh Parish Council and the County Archaeological Services.
The target decision date for the planning application is June 2, but trees in the area neighbouring the Carmel Meadows development have already been felled.
In a written objection Crowmarsh Parish Council said: “The site has been subjected recently to the felling of mature trees, apparently without a Forestry Commission licence, and destruction of natural habitat.”
The parish council say the clearance of trees and vegetation has been done with ‘no consideration or the environmental and ecological consequences’ and that people have reacted with ‘horror’.
The parish council also highlighted that the plans were ‘unsuitable’ due to its ‘remote’ location.
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Crowmarsh Parish Council added: “The site lies in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where development will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances, and there is no requirement for more four-bedroom houses in the parish.”
Additionally, County Archaeological Services suggested a programme of archaeological investigation is likely to be required ahead of the determination of any planning application for the site. This is due to the location being ‘an area of considerable archaeological potential’.
In the comment it explains the area called the ‘earthwork’ was probably constructed in the late Iron Age.
SODC is currently investigating the tree felling incident in relation to this planning application.
A spokesperson for South Oxfordshire District Council said: “We are currently considering an application for planning permission for a single dwelling located off Nosworthy Way, Crowmarsh.
“We noted on our site visit that a number of trees have been felled, so our officers are currently investigating the matter. The outcome of the application has not yet been determined.”
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