Site: PR48 Land South of Solid State Logic Headquarters Site size (ha): 2.47
Cherwell Green Belt Study 138 April 2017 Site: PR48 Land South of Solid State Logic Headquarters Site size (ha): 2.47
Site description
Fields defined by the A44 to the east and the edge of Begbroke to the north, used as recreational space by Solid State Logic, whose headquarters building forms the settlement edge. Hedgerows form the site boundaries to the south and west. Relationship between site, settlement and countryside
The parcel has a strong association with the adjacent office development, and neighbouring Begbroke Manor, but both are separated from the inset urban edge by the A44. The office building detracts from countryside character, but settlement to the west of the main road, the historic core of the village, is mostly rural in character, form and density. The hedgerows do not create strong separation between the site and the wider countryside. Parcels
The site is assessed as one parcel.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 139 April 2017 Site: PR48 Land South of Solid State Logic Headquarters Site size (ha): 2.47
Parcel: PR48 Parcel area (ha): 2.47
Looking north-east from western edge of parcel.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 140 April 2017 Site: PR48 Land South of Solid State Logic Headquarters Site size (ha): 2.47
Parcel: PR48 Parcel area (ha): 2.47 Contribution to Green Belt purposes
Purpose Comments
Purpose 1: Checking Development here would relate to the expansion of Begbroke, not Oxford. Therefore the sprawl of Oxford parcel plays no role with respect to this purpose.
Purpose 2: The parcel accounts for part of the gap between Begbroke and Yarnton. Its release would Preventing merger of reduce the distance between the settlements, as perceived from the A44, but intervening settlements fields and hedges would still preserve separation.
Purpose 3: The western part of Begbroke is washed-over by Green Belt, reflecting its open character, Safeguarding and is therefore considered to constitute part of the countryside rather than the urban area. countryside Built development adjacent to this parcel does have some urbanising influence, but in the context of a settlement area which relates more strongly to the countryside than the urban area, from which it is separated by a strong boundary (the A44), any development here would constitute significant encroachment.
Purpose 4: There is no intervisibility between Begbroke and Oxford. However, being adjacent to a main Preserving Oxford's route into the City the parcel can be considered to contribute to Oxford’s wider rural setting. setting and special character
Purpose 5: Assisting All parcels are considered to make an equal contribution to this purpose. urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land
Potential alternative Green Belt boundary
The hedgerows around the parcel would constitute a weaker boundary than the A44.
Harm to Green Belt resulting from release
Scenario Comments Rating
Release of PR48 The A44 constitutes a strong boundary Moderate high between inset settlement and the older part of Begbroke, so although development in this parcel would relate strongly to the adjacent built development it would nonetheless constitute significant encroachment on the countryside.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 141 April 2017 Site: PR48 Land South of Solid State Logic Headquarters Site size (ha): 2.47
Harm to Green Belt resulting from partial release of site Harm to Green Belt resulting from release of whole site
Cherwell Green Belt Study 142 April 2017 Site: PR49 Land at Stratfield Farm, Oxford Road, Kidlington Site size (ha): 10.46
Cherwell Green Belt Study 143 April 2017 Site: PR49 Land at Stratfield Farm, Oxford Road, Kidlington Site size (ha): 10.46
Site description
Strongly-hedged fields adjacent to the urban edge at Kidlington, between the Oxford Canal and the A4260. The buildings of Strafield Farm lie towards the centre of the site. Relationship between site, settlement and countryside
The site abuts the urban edge, and is similarly contained to the west by the Oxford Canal. There is no distinction in landform between the urban area and the site. Recreational uses – the Stratfield Brake open access land managed by the Woodland Trust and the Stratfield Brake Sports Ground, a large pitch complex - strengthen the distinction between the site and land to the south. Parcels
The site is assessed as one parcel of land.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 144 April 2017 Site: PR49 Land at Stratfield Farm, Oxford Road, Kidlington Site size (ha): 10.46
Parcel: PR49 Parcel area (ha): 10.46
Looking north-west along southern edge of Kidlington, from roundabout.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 145 April 2017 Site: PR49 Land at Stratfield Farm, Oxford Road, Kidlington Site size (ha): 10.46
Parcel: PR49 Parcel area (ha): 10.46 Contribution to Green Belt purposes
Purpose Comments
Purpose 1: Checking Development here would relate to the expansion of Kidlington, not Oxford. Therefore the sprawl of Oxford parcel plays no role with respect to this purpose.
Purpose 2: The parcel forms a relatively small part of the gap between Kidlington and Oxford. The gap Preventing merger of is small, so all land within it makes some contribution to this Green Belt purpose, but the settlements parcel’s release would not extend the urban edge beyond the roundabout which marks the south-eastern corner of the settlement.
Purpose 3: The parcel contains no urbanising development, but it lacks strong separation from the Safeguarding urban edge and does not have a strong relationship with the wider countryside, with countryside recreational land uses to the south, the canal to the west and Kidlington Roundabout to the east separating it from farmland.
Purpose 4: The parcel’s relationship with the Oxford Canal, an important historical route into the City, Preserving Oxford's gives it some contribution to Oxford’s historic setting, but proximity to the edge of setting and special Kidlington, which abuts the canal along all of the western side of the settlement, means that character this is a minor role.
Purpose 5: Assisting All parcels are considered to make an equal contribution to this purpose. urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land
Potential alternative Green Belt boundary
The hedgerow along the southern edge of the site would form a consistent, straight boundary that would be no weaker than the existing settlement edge. Hedgerows separating the three smaller fields at the centre of the parcel could form a boundary to smaller release of land that would have little impact on the settlement gap or Oxford’s historic setting. Harm to Green Belt resulting from release
Scenario Comments Rating
Release of PR49 Release of PR49 would represent a limited Moderate encroachment on countryside and on the gap between Kidlington and Oxford, rather than any step-change in settlement form or extent. Release of the three smaller, central fields Release of the central fields would, by virtue of Low moderate only (see ratings map at end of site their size and reduced perception of any assessment) development from the road and the canal, have a commensurately lower impact on Green Belt.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 146 April 2017 Site: PR49 Land at Stratfield Farm, Oxford Road, Kidlington Site size (ha): 10.46
Harm to Green Belt resulting from partial release of site Harm to Green Belt resulting from release of whole site
Cherwell Green Belt Study 147 April 2017 Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
Cherwell Green Belt Study 148 April 2017 Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
Site description
This site is subdivided by the A4165 into two distinct areas: • North Oxford Golf Club, to the west of the A4165, and bounded to the west by the railway line; • Farmland centred on St Frideswide Farm, in the area between the A4165, Cutteslowe to the south and the A34 to the north, bounded to the east by a watercourse and associated hedgerows. The urban edge abuts the site along Linkside Avenue and Jordan Hill Road to the south of the golf course and, to the east of the A4165, alongside Cutteslowe Park other than along a c.250m stretch where the district boundary stops short of the urban edge. The north-western edge of the site abuts the Water Eaton Park and Ride and Oxford Parkway railway station, which are within the Green Belt. Relationship between site, settlement and countryside
The site as a whole constitutes the larger part of the Green Belt between the nearest edges of Oxford and Kidlington – the so-called ‘Kidlington Gap’. The Green Belt in this area is dominated by, and fragmented by, transport infrastructure: major connecting roads combine with built development at Water Eaton to reduce the perceived gap between Oxford and Kidlington, but roads also serve to contain the western part of the site (the golf course), reducing the extent to which it relates to the wider countyside. These containing influences do not apply to the farmland east of the A4165: this section of the site is, topographically, visually and in land-use, part of the Cherwell valley, a landscape which remains open all the way into the heart of Oxford. The site does not extend as far as the River Cherwell but nonetheless relates strongly to it. Some distinction can be made between the land lying between Oxford and the Water Eaton Park and Ride, and land to the east of Oxford Parkway station and the Park and Ride, in which development associated with Oxford Parkway would potentially have less of an impact on the Kidlington Gap. Parcels
Three separate parcels are identified within this site, one to the west of the A4165 and two to the east. It should be noted that: • Parcel PR50a is also assessed separately as PR38b, and part of it forms a separate site: PR123; • Part of PR50b is also assessed separately as PR38c; • Part of PR50c overlaps with PR167.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 149 April 2017 Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
Parcel: PR50a Parcel area (ha): 32.10
Looking south towards the urban edge on Jordan Hill Road, from the public footpath crossing the golf course.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 150 April 2017 Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
Parcel: PR50a Parcel area (ha): 32.10 Contribution to Green Belt purposes
Purpose Comments
Purpose 1: Checking Although contained by strong boundaries the terrain of the golf course, with a hill at the sprawl of Oxford southern end, marks it out as distinct from the flatter urban area.
Purpose 2: The golf course is a principal element in the gap between Oxford and Kidlington. Its size, Preventing merger of extensive tree cover and topography – the southern half of the course is located on a hill – settlements makes it a physical and visual barrier.
Purpose 3: The nature of the golf course landscaping as well as its physical containment gives it some Safeguarding distinction from the surrounding countryside, but it has a stronger visual relationship with countryside the countryside than with the settlement edge, from which it is largely separated by tall lines of conifers.
Purpose 4: There is no relationship between this area and Oxford’s historic core, and the area is not Preserving Oxford's elevated enough to form part of the green backdrop to views out from the City, but the setting and special parcel's low hilltop location and wooded character do provide a containing edge in views character towards Oxford from the north, and from more distant high ground. This adds a rural character to Oxford's setting at close proximity to the City.
Purpose 5: Assisting All parcels are considered to make an equal contribution to this purpose. urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land
Potential alternative Green Belt boundary
The parcel has strong outer boundary features – the railway and A4165, with both of these and the A34 combining to form a dense block of infrastructure at the northern tip – although were the parcel to be released there might be a case for also removing Oxford Parkway and the park and ride from the Green Belt, as they would no longer be isolated from the settlement edge. There are no existing east-west boundary features within the golf course, so a new edge would need to be created were a partial release to be considered. Limiting Green Belt release to the southern part of the parcel would reduce adverse impact on the settlement gap, but not to any great extent because the hilltop landform here increases its visual contribution. Only the lower, western side of the hill is more contained within the landscape. Harm to Green Belt resulting from release
Scenario Comments Rating
Release of PR50a The physical prominence of the golf course High makes it an important buffer feature on the urban edge, limiting perception of the city before entering the built-up area and therefore playing an important role in maintaining the ‘Kidlington Gap’. The concentration of roads, rail, lighting, pylons, car parking and the station building, and to an extent, the golf course, limit the countryside character of the settlement gap but do not diminish the fact that an open gap exists and serves a stated Green Belt purpose. Release of PR50a would leave very limited justification for retaining PR38a in the Green Belt, and would also weaken the justification Cherwell Green Belt Study for retaining the151 Green Belt status of Oxford April 2017 Parkway and the Water Eaton Park and Ride. Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
This release would result in the A34 becoming the Green Belt boundary from the Northern Gateway up to Oxford Parkway station, leaving only the width of a single field to separate Oxford from Kidlington. Release of PR50a would also mean that land in PR50b, adjacent to the A4165 and contained to the south by the urban edge and to the north by the development at Water Eaton, would have a stronger relationship with the urban form than at present. Release of the southern half of PR50a, Limiting Green Belt release to the southern Moderate high retaining a moderate level of tree cover part of the parcel would reduce the adverse (see ratings map at end of site assessment) impact on the settlement gap, but not to any great extent because the hilltop landform here increases its visual contribution. Release of the south-western part of There is potential for reducing harm through a Moderate PR50a, retaining a moderate level of tree more limited release of land adjacent to the cover (see ratings map at end of site settlement edge. The lower, western side of assessment) the hill is more contained within the landscape, so its release would cause limited harm in terms of the settlement gap, encroachment on countryside and historic character, but it would constitute a degree of sprawl. Release would slightly weaken justification for retaining land to the west of the railway line (assessed as parcel PR122 and PR38a) in the Green Belt, which would in turn contribute to a strengthened perception of the A34 representing a boundary to the urban edge.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 152 April 2017 Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
Parcel: PR50b Parcel area (ha): 96.07
Looking east from bridleway / access road to Water Eaton Manor, just east of the A4165 Oxford Road.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 153 April 2017 Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
Parcel: PR50b Parcel area (ha): 96.07 Contribution to Green Belt purposes
Purpose Comments
Purpose 1: Checking There is no strong separation from the urban edge at Cutteslowe, but Cutteslowe Park sports sprawl of Oxford pitches represent a transition into this visually open, valley landscape. There are no strong landscape features to contain development. Perception of development as sprawl would increase with distance from the existing settlement edge. Limited development southward from Oxford Parkway Station and the Water Eaton Park and Ride would have a degree of separation from the urban edge of Oxford at Cutteslowe, although land here is close enough to the city to make some contribution to preventing sprawl.
Purpose 2: The parcel occupies most of the gap between Oxford and Kidlington to the east of the Preventing merger of A4165, any development is likely to be very exposed in this visually open landscape. There settlements is a moderate slope down northwards from the road to Water Eaton Manor which currently prevents intervisibility between the northern and southern parts of the parcel and strengthens its settlement-separating role; development encroaching on this slope would have a significant impact on the settlement gap.
Purpose 3: This parcel forms part of a broad valley with consistent agricultural land use and field Safeguarding patterns. Any development here would encroach on countryside. countryside
Purpose 4: The Cherwell valley is an important element in Oxford’s historic setting, but the contribution Preserving Oxford's of the western side of the parcel is more limited than the contribution of the eastern side, setting and special which is closer to the valley floor and river. character
Purpose 5: Assisting All parcels are considered to make an equal contribution to this purpose. urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land
Potential alternative Green Belt boundary
The outer edges of the parcel are hedgerows, which do not constitute strong boundary features, but the existing settlement edge at Cutteslowe is not strongly defined either. There would be potential to define an alternative Green Belt boundary within the south-western part of the parcel, releasing land that would result in less harm to Green Belt purposes than release of the parcel as a whole. This assumes that the Green Belt area adjacent to the settlement edge alongside the A4165 that lies within the City of Oxford is also released. Any release of land adjacent to the Water Eaton Park and Ride would lack strong boundary features to the south and east, and would also weaken the justification for retaining the Green belt status of the Park and Ride and adjacent railway station. Harm to Green Belt resulting from release
Scenario Comments Rating
Release of PR50b Release of PR50b would cause a considerable High reduction in the settlement gap between Oxford and Kidlington, and would also weaken the justification for retaining the Green Belt status of the adjacent Oxford Parkway and the Water Eaton Park and Ride. This release would result in the A34 becoming the Green Belt boundary from the Northern Gateway up to Oxford Parkway station, leaving only the width of a single field to separate Oxford from Kidlington. The concentration of roads, rail, lighting, pylons, car parking and the station building, and to an extent, the golf course, Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
limit the countryside character of the settlement gap but do not diminish the fact that an open gap exists and serves a stated Green Belt purpose. Release of south-western corner of PR50b – The parcel relates strongly to the wider Moderate high assuming that the Green Belt area Cherwell valley countryside, so loss of adjacent to the settlement edge alongside openness up to St Frideswide Farm would still the A4165 that lies within the City of constitute a significant countryside Oxford is also released, and that any encroachment, but there would be potential to development is low enough to avoid release land on the western edge without significant visual impact on the gap significantly affecting the area closer to the between the settlement edge and Oxford River Cherwell that plays a strong role in Parkway (see ratings map at end of site Oxford’s historic setting. This release would assessment) leave the field to the south-west (assessed as PR211b) entirely contained, with no justification for its retention as Green Belt.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 155 April 2017 Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
Parcel: PR50c Parcel area (ha): 22.60
Looking east from Water Eaton Park and Ride; the parcel is the field beyond the boundary fence.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 156 April 2017 Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
Parcel: PR50c Parcel area (ha): 22.60 Contribution to Green Belt purposes
Purpose Comments
Purpose 1: Checking Considered in association with potential expansion out from Oxford Parkway and the Park sprawl of Oxford and Ride the parcel has a degree of separation from the urban edge of Oxford at Cutteslowe, although it is close enough to the city to make some contribution to preventing sprawl.
Purpose 2: Development associated with expansion out from Oxford or Kidlington would have a Preventing merger of significant impact on the settlement gap. Considered in association with potential expansion settlements out from Oxford Parkway and the Park and Ride, the parcel forms a relatively small proportion of the Oxford-Kidlington gap, but it is close enough to Kidlington to compromise the Green Belt role of land to the north of the A34.
Purpose 3: The parcel is influenced by adjacent development, but forms part of a broad valley with Safeguarding consistent agricultural land use and field patterns. Any development here would encroach on countryside the countryside.
Purpose 4: The Cherwell valley is an important element in Oxford’s historic setting, but the parcel is not Preserving Oxford's close enough to the river to make a strong contribution, and is compromised by proximity to setting and special Oxford Parkway and the Park and Ride. character
Purpose 5: Assisting All parcels are considered to make an equal contribution to this purpose. urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land
Potential alternative Green Belt boundary
The parcel does not adjoin any defined urban edge. Any release of land here associated with the adjacent Oxford Parkway and Park and Ride would significantly weaken the contribution of those sites as Green Belt land, with the railway/A34 and A4165 being more logical boundaries. The eastern and southern edges of the parcel are hedgerows, which do not constitute strong boundary features. The railway line and A34 create physical separation from Kidlington, but development in this parcel would nonetheless weaken the gap between Kidlington and Oxford. There are north- south hedgerows within the parcel that could form the boundary to a more limited release of land at its western end. Harm to Green Belt resulting from release
Scenario Comments Rating
Release of PR50c Release of PR50c would weaken the High justification for retaining the Green Belt status of the adjacent Oxford Parkway and the Water Eaton Park and Ride. It would also weaken the Green Belt contribution of the land between here and the southern edge of Kidlington but also, being located to the south of the A34, would have a degree of association with Oxford. Proximity to major roads, rail, lighting, pylons, car parking and the station building limit the countryside character of the settlement gap in this area, but the parcel still relates strongly to the wider Cherwell valley countryside.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 157 April 2017 Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
Release of field at western end of PR50c The proximity of the railway station and park Moderate high (see ratings map at end of site assessment) and ride weakens the rural character of the parcel, but any development would constitute a degree of countryside encroachment and would weaken justification for retaining the adjacent developed site as Green Belt.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 158 April 2017 Site: PR50 Land North of Oxford Site size (ha): 150.77
Harm to Green Belt resulting from release of site
Scenario Comments Rating
Release of PR50 in its entirety The site as a whole is critical to the maintenance of High separation between Oxford and Kidlington, and would represent significant sprawl of the large urban area of Oxford.
Harm to Green Belt resulting from partial release of site Harm to Green Belt resulting from release of whole site
Cherwell Green Belt Study 159 April 2017 Site: PR51 Land to West of A44/Rutten Lane, North of Cassington Road, surrounding Site size (ha): 188.84 Begbroke Wood
Cherwell Green Belt Study 160 April 2017 Site: PR51 Land to West of A44/Rutten Lane, North of Cassington Road, surrounding Site size (ha): 188.84 Begbroke Wood Site description
Farmland to the west of the A44 between Yarnton and Begbroke, defined principally by the edge of Yarnton and the A44 to the east and field boundary trees and hedgerows to the north, south and west of the site. The wooded Worton Heath abuts the north-western corner of the site and a railway line borders the south-western corner. Begbroke Wood and an associated residential property (Foresters Lodge), together with one field, are contained by the site (other than an access track) but excluded from it. A large proportion of the site is located on the summit and slopes of a hill. Relationship between site, settlement and countryside
The site adjoins most of the western edge of the inset village of Yarnton. Its northern edge abuts the village of Begbroke at Hall Farm, but the entire village to the west of the A44 is defined as Green Belt. The site as a whole forms most of the settlement gap between the inset areas of Yarnton and Begbroke, with only a small field (assessed as site PR48) and the A44 intervening. There is a strong sense of distinction between the elevated farmland on the one hand, particularly the ridge top and land sloping down to the west, north and south, and the low-lying settlements to the east, and the site's outer edges mark no significant distinction from the wider countryside. That part of Begbroke adjacent to the site retains a form, character and density of development that is compatible with a Green Belt location, but the settlement edge of Yarnton has no strong boundaries to the site, so there is a stronger relationship with the flatter farmland along the eastern edge. Parcels
The site is assessed as 3 parcels of land: • PR51a, between Begbroke, Begbroke Wood and the A44; • PR51b, between Yarnton, the Frogwelldown Lane track and Begbroke Wood; • PR51c, the hilltop and land sloping away to the west, north and south.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 161 April 2017 Site: PR51 Land to West of A44/Rutten Lane, North of Cassington Road, surrounding Site size (ha): 188.84 Begbroke Wood
Parcel: PR51a Parcel area (ha): 23.99
Looking north-west towards the western end of the village of Begbroke from the public footpath passing through the parcel.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 162 April 2017 Site: PR51 Land to West of A44/Rutten Lane, North of Cassington Road, surrounding Site size (ha): 188.84 Begbroke Wood
Parcel: PR51a Parcel area (ha): 23.99 Contribution to Green Belt purposes
Purpose Comments
Purpose 1: Checking Development here would relate to the expansion of Begbroke, not Oxford. Therefore the sprawl of Oxford parcel plays no role with respect to this purpose.
Purpose 2: The parcel accounts for the majority of the gap between Begbroke and Yarnton. Its release Preventing merger of would significantly reduce the distance between the settlements, as perceived from the A44. settlements Any development is likely to be very exposed in this visually open landscape.
Purpose 3: The parcel relates more strongly to the wider countryside than to urban development: the Safeguarding village of Begbroke to the west of the A44 does not have any urbanising influence on the countryside parcel, and the inset settlement areas to the east are separated from the parcel by the main road and some adjacent open farmland. The sloping farmland has a visual relationship with open land to the east between Begbroke and Yarnton, a relationship which strengthens the latter's countryside character.
Purpose 4: This land lacks a direct visual relationship with Oxford , but its association with higher Preserving Oxford's ground to the west means that it forms part of the rural setting of the City. setting and special character
Purpose 5: Assisting All parcels are considered to make an equal contribution to this purpose. urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land
Potential alternative Green Belt boundary
Begbroke Wood, an ancient woodland, is a strong landscape element to the west, but the exclusion from the parcel of a field between the wood and Dolton Lane weakens this as an alternative outer edge. The A44 marks a stronger distinction between settlement and countryside where it abuts the inset edge of Begbroke, and any release of this parcel in isolation would lack connectivity with inset development. Harm to Green Belt resulting from release
Scenario Comments Rating
Release of PR51a Release of the parcel would significantly High reduce separation between Yarnton and Begbroke, and would encroach on countryside. It would weaken the Green Belt contribution of that part of Begbroke village lying to the west of the A44, and adjacent land between the parcel and the village edge (some of which is assessed as site PR48), between the parcel and Begbroke Wood and the small remaining gap between the parcel and the northern edge of Yarnton.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 163 April 2017 Site: PR51 Land to West of A44/Rutten Lane, North of Cassington Road, surrounding Site size (ha): 188.84 Begbroke Wood Parcel: PR51b Parcel area (ha): 58.50
Looking north-east towards Yarnton from the Frogwelldown Lane right of way.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 164 April 2017 Site: PR51 Land to West of A44/Rutten Lane, North of Cassington Road, surrounding Site size (ha): 188.84 Begbroke Wood Parcel: PR51b Parcel area (ha): 58.50 Contribution to Green Belt purposes
Purpose Comments
Purpose 1: Checking Development here would relate to the expansion of Yarnton, not Oxford. Therefore the sprawl of Oxford parcel plays no role with respect to this purpose.
Purpose 2: Although the parcel accounts for part of the gap between Begbroke and Yarnton, its release Preventing merger of would not significantly reduce the distance between the settlements. settlements
Purpose 3: Open countryside to the north, south and west ensures that land within the parcel retains a Safeguarding strong connection to the wider countryside, but some distinction can be made between the countryside sloping topography of most of the parcel, which although creating intervisibility with the settlement edge also creates a strong distinction from the flatter ground on which Yarnton is located, and the north-eastern corner which slopes southward and has more of a relationship with the settlement form.
Purpose 4: The parcel includes arable farmland on high ground, which contributes to the ring of hills Preserving Oxford's around Oxford that form a key aspect of its distinctive setting. The lower slopes adjacent to setting and special Yarnton are less significant in this respect. character
Purpose 5: Assisting All parcels are considered to make an equal contribution to this purpose. urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land
Potential alternative Green Belt boundary
Frogwelldown Lane is a relatively strong landscape feature but other field boundaries are weaker. However the settlement edge does not have any strong separation from the parcel, other than where fields in the vicinity of Yarnton House form a buffer. Yarnton Medical Practice on Rutten Lane has no separation from adjacent houses within the settlement edge, and would more appropriately fall within the defined settlement rather than the Green Belt. Harm to Green Belt resulting from release
Scenario Comments Rating
Release of PR51b Most of the parcel is sloping land that is High distinct from Yarnton and forms part of a wider landscape of elevated farmland, release of which would constitute significant encroachment on the countryside. Release of the two fields in the north- Release of this area would still constitute a Moderate high eastern corner of PR51b (see ratings map degree of encroachment, but the reduced land at end of site assessment) area and the lack of topographical distinction or strong boundaries from the settlement edge would reduce harm. The settlement edge would not be extended far enough north to have a significant impact on the gap between Yarnton and Begbroke.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 165 April 2017 Site: PR51 Land to West of A44/Rutten Lane, North of Cassington Road, surrounding Site size (ha): 188.84 Begbroke Wood Release of just the field adjacent to the The southernmost of the two fields has a Moderate northern end of Rutten Lane (see ratings stronger relationship with the settlement form, map at end of site assessment) and would not constitute any northward extension of the inset village edge. The outer field boundaries are just hedgerows, but the western field edge approximates to an increase in slope angle, which adds to its strength in providing distinction from the wider countryside.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 166 April 2017 Site: PR51 Land to West of A44/Rutten Lane, North of Cassington Road, surrounding Site size (ha): 188.84 Begbroke Wood Parcel: PR51c Parcel area (ha): 106.35
Looking east from the Shakespeare's Way long distance route down over the northern part of the parcel towards Begbroke.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 167 April 2017 Site: PR51 Land to West of A44/Rutten Lane, North of Cassington Road, surrounding Site size (ha): 188.84 Begbroke Wood
Parcel: PR51c Parcel area (ha): 106.35 Contribution to Green Belt purposes
Purpose Comments
Purpose 1: Checking Development here would relate to the expansion of Begbroke or Yarnton, not Oxford. sprawl of Oxford Therefore the parcel plays no role with respect to this purpose.
Purpose 2: The parcel occupies a large part of the gap between Yarnton and Begbroke. Release of the Preventing merger of parcel would significantly narrow the physical gap between the two settlements, contributing settlements to a reduction in the sense of separation. Any development is likely to be very exposed in this visually open landscape.
Purpose 3: The landform associated with this parcel gives it a strong sense of separation from both Safeguarding Yarnton and Begbroke, and Begbroke Wood represents an additional barrier at the northern countryside end. That part of Begbroke to the west of the A44 does not represent an urbanising influence.
Purpose 4: The parcel includes farmland on high ground, which contributes to the ring of hills around Preserving Oxford's Oxford that form a key aspect of its distinctive setting. Development may have an adverse setting and special effect on preserving Oxford’s setting and special character. character
Purpose 5: Assisting All parcels are considered to make an equal contribution to this purpose. urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land
Potential alternative Green Belt boundary
The parcel's boundaries do not represent any strong distinction between the countryside within it and the wider countryside beyond it. Harm to Green Belt resulting from release
Scenario Comments Rating
Release of PR51c There is a strong sense of separation from High settlement in the valley to the east. Any release of land, whether extending out from Begbroke or Yarnton to include land within this parcel or representing an isolated release, would constitute significant countryside encroachment.
Cherwell Green Belt Study 168 April 2017 Site: PR51 Land to West of A44/Rutten Lane, North of Cassington Road, surrounding Site size (ha): 188.84 Begbroke Wood
Harm to Green Belt resulting from release of site
Scenario Comments Rating
Release of site PR51 in its entirety The site as a whole is critical to the maintenance of High separation between Yarnton and Begbroke, and for the most part constitutes open farmland with a strong countryside character, development of which would represent significant encroachment on the countryside and would potentially detract from the generally rural character of the high ground surrounding Oxford.
Harm to Green Belt resulting from partial release of site Harm to Green Belt resulting from release of whole site
Cherwell Green Belt Study 169 April 2017