- Decision
- allowed, 9 September 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: H Nicholls
- Authority
- South Oxfordshire (South East)
- Appeal reference
- 6011224
- Application reference
- P26/S0547/FUL
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- 1.5-storey 2-bed self-build detached house
- Homes
- 1
- Site context
- inside settlement
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- August 2026 NPPF
- Determinative policies
- L2(1)(ii)
- Development plan policies
- South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 DES6, HO1, HO8, Beckley and Stowood Neighbourhood Plan 2024 DG1, VB1
- Main issues
- neighbour outlook and light
Summary
A self-build house in Beckley was allowed. There was no harmful loss of outlook or light to the neighbour, meeting the local plan, the neighbourhood plan and the new L2(1)(ii) living-standards proviso (DL ¶11).
What made the difference
The neighbour relationship was acceptable on the detail. Notably, the self-build label was not secured by obligation because the principle did not depend on it (DL ¶12). Contrast PINS-6009942, where the missing obligation was fatal on BNG.
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| L2(1)(ii) | pass | efficient use of land "provided it maintains acceptable living standards" - no harmful loss of outlook or light to Honeybear (DL 11) | |
| HO5 | neutral | self-build not secured by obligation; not necessary as the principle was accepted under HO1 and HO8 (DL 12) |
Key facts
- Parties invited to comment on the 17 Aug 2026 Framework (DL 2)
Sources
This note is one of the decisions behind the NPPF 2026 Navigator, which shows how each Framework test has been applied across all the decisions in the database. Also available as Markdown.