Planning and the Local Environment

This page details which planning policies or other designations may affect the property and how the Council will decide development proposals. Some are statutory and legal designations - Conservation Areas, the 'Article 4' area, Tree Preservation Orders or Listed Buildings. Others are the result of specific planning policies found in the West Oxfordshire Local Plan such as the Oxford Green Belt.

Ancient Woodland

Ancient woodlands are areas of land which have had a continuous woodland cover since at least 1600 AD. They may be ancient semi-natural woodland which retains a native tree and shrub cover or plantation on ancient woodland sites where the original tree cover has been felled and replaced by planting usually over the last century. These woodlands have landscape value but are also an important habitat for native flora and fauna. They are an irreplaceable asset that, once destroyed, can never be re-created.

The extents of ancient woodlands are held on a draft register by English Nature and are currently in the process of being updated.

Conservation Areas

There are nearly 50 Conservation Areas within West Oxfordshire which have been identified by the Council as having special architectural character or historic interest. Many of the historic villages and towns in the district are included and every effort is made to preserve and enhance these settlements and their setting.

Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Cotswolds was designated by the government as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966; it is one of 41 AONB in England and Wales and is the largest covering 790 sq miles. Being an AONB the area is protected to conserve the nationally important landscape character that makes the Cotswolds so special.

Historic Parks and Gardens

Since the 1980s English Heritage has established a national register of historic parks and gardens under the National Heritage Act 1983. There are 16 parks and gardens of special historic interest in West Oxfordshire which have their character and setting protected.

Listed Buildings

These are buildings and structures identified by the Department of the Environment as being of special architectural or historic interest and whose protection and maintenance are the subject of special legislation. Within West Oxfordshire there are about 3,200 buildings listed where special controls exist for any work affecting the character or appearance of the building as well as their curtilage and setting.

To find out specific information about a Listed Building please contact our Conservation team on 01993 861300

Main Rivers

Consent must be obtained from the Environment Agency for works within 8 metres of all main rivers and any such development would be subject to Environment Agency Bye Laws to allow access for repair and maintenance.

Oxford Green Belt

An area of land around Oxford within which there is a general presumption against urban development. Where development does take place it must be carefully designed and sited so as to minimise the impact on the character of the Green Belt.

Public Footpaths

The network of footpaths through West Oxfordshire provides an important recreational resource for the benefit and convenience of residents and visitors to the area. The Oxfordshire Way and the d'Arcy Dalton Way pass through West Oxfordshire with shorter circular routes created, managed and publicised by Oxfordshire County Council.

Scheduled Ancient Monuments

Since 1882 a schedule has been kept of monuments whose preservation is given priority over other land uses. English Heritage is responsible for identifying new sites which are then placed on the schedule by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. In West Oxfordshire there are nearly 150 of these protected sites including ancient monuments, historic landscapes and archaeological sites.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

There are nearly 30 sites in West Oxfordshire identified by English Nature as being amongst the very best wildlife and geological sites in England. These include Wychwood Forest and Chimney Meadows which are also National Nature Reserves. It is important to protect and manage appropriately these areas as they support plants and animals that find it more difficult to survive in the wider countryside.

Tree Preservation Orders

These are made by the Local Planning Authority under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 to protect individual trees, groups of trees or woodlands against felling, uprooting, lopping or other damage. Permission is required from the Council to fell or carry out works to a tree protected by a TPO.

To find out specific information about a Tree Preservation Order, Contact our Forestry & Landscape Officer on 01993 861662

World Heritage Site

These are places of international importance for the conservation of mankind's cultural and natural heritage. As of 2003 there are 25 World Heritage Sites in the UK and its overseas territories. Blenheim Palace in West Oxfordshire was designated by UNESCO in 1987. Its inclusion highlights the outstanding international importance of the site which is taken into account when considering any proposals likely to affect Blenheim.

Wychwood Project Area

In 1086 the Royal hunting Forest of Wychwood covered much of what is now West Oxfordshire. The Wychwood Project uses the focus of the Royal hunting Forest to encourage local people to understand, conserve and restore the rich mosaic of landscapes and wildlife habitats within the 41 parishes that, today, cover this same area. By working closely with the local community, the Project is creating benefits now and an inheritance for future generations.

The Wychwood Project is supported by West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, the Friends of Wychwood and other local charities. There are a wide range of opportunities for local people to become involved with the work of the Project.

Please note that the information presented here relates to a building, house or business. The Council does not have information about land ownership and the extent of the property and its curtilage that you may be interested in. This may extend into an adjoining planning policy or constraint area.
Also, just because there are no policies or constraints listed does not mean that the property is immune from planning control. Other general planning policies and overall planning law will apply to any development that might take place.
Please contact the Development Control Section to receive advice about how these policies and planning law in general, affect what can happen to the property.