Housing development approved despite objections

Plans for more than 350 new homes in a village have been approved despite more than 100 objections being submitted.

Developer Harper Crewe Bloombridge wants to build on a 17-hectare site in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

Among the objections heard by West Oxfordshire District Council's lowlands planning meeting, the chairman of Brize Norton Parish Council said the development would be "unacceptable urban sprawl".

A new community building and public open spaces are also part of the plans, which the developer said would also include measures to improve the flood risk situation in the area.

A total of 35% of the planned homes on the site, on the northern edge of Carterton, would be affordable, with some being specifically set aside for veterans.

Vehicular access would be via Burford Road, while walking and cycling links to existing local services and facilities would also be improved, according to the developer.

One hundred and sixteen objections to the development were posted on the council's planning portal

Chairman of Brize Norton Parish Council Les Goble said the development would mean the village would have grown from 382 houses to 1,200 by 2027.

"This cannot be construed as limited development," he said.

"It's clear that Brize Norton has delivered above and beyond its reasonable contribution to the housing requirement."

He added that if the development went ahead, together with with recently announced plans for 2,500 homes, it would "cause unacceptable urban sprawl between Carterton, Brize Norton, Minister Lovell and Witney".

Councillor Steve Cosier said he could not support the plans.

"We are always talking about water, sewage, infrastructure, and all of us sing from the same hymn sheet when we say it isn't good enough," he said.

The proposals also include improvements to Kilkenny Lane Country Park, and contributions towards healthcare, education and a new cemetery and woodland burial site.

Laura Bisbey, who spoke behalf of applicant Harper Crewe Bloombridge, said the plans would include measures to improve the flood risk situation downstream.

She also said the company would agree to deliver an interim private sewage network in the event that Thames Water do not resolve the issues with the network.

There were also four supporting comments in favour of the development, with neighbours saying that the added housing could unlock more community resources, and that more homes were needed.

The plans were approved, with four councillors voting in favour, two councillors voting against and six abstaining.

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