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iii)the proposal complies with the other policies in the plan.C28 – Control will be exercised over all new development, including conversionsand extensions, to ensure that the standards of layout, design and externalappearance, including the choice of external finish materials, are sympathetic to thecharacter of the urban or rural context of that development. In sensitive areas suchas conservation areas, the area of outstanding natural beauty and areas of highlandscape value, development will be required to be of a high standard and the useof traditional local building materials will normally be required.C7 – Development will not normally be permitted if it would cause demonstrableharm to the topography and character of the landscapeC8 – Sporadic development in the open countryside including developments in thevicinity of motorway or major road junctions will generally be resisted.4.3 Non Statutory Cherwell Local PlanEMP7 – Development proposals for farm diversificationEMP11 – Proposals for horse related development4.4 PPS7 Sustainable Development in Rural Areas4.5 PPG13 Transport5. Appraisal5.1 The proposal stands to be assessed against the appropriateness of allowing such adevelopment in this location, its impact on the character and appearance of theopen countryside, impact on neighbouring residential amenity and highway safety.5.2 Policy ConsiderationsPolicies in the adopted Cherwell Local Plan and the Non-Statutory Local Plansupport proposals for horse related development provided they also comply with theother factors set out above. Paragraph 32 of PPS7 – Sustainable Development inRural Areas also states that;Horse riding and other equestrian activities are popular forms of recreation in thecountryside that can fit well with farming activities and help diversify ruraleconomies. In some parts of the country, horse training and breeding businessesplay an important economic role…Policies should facilitate the re-use of farmbuildings for small-scale horse enterprises that provide a useful form of farmdiversification.It is not clear whether or not this is a farm diversification project or whether this is anentirely new equestrian enterprise which will replace existing farming on the holding.Further clarification has been sought from the applicant.Whilst the existing buildings are of no significant architectural quality they are statedto be surplus to agricultural requirements and if not utilised for other purposes wouldbe left to ruin and dereliction. It would seem appropriate that a suitable use is foundfor them and their re-use for equestrian activities is generally supported by local andPage 16