Campaigners celebrate dismissal of science park plan

Campaigners are celebrating winning a "David versus Goliath" battle after a proposal to build a science and innovation park in a rural area was dismissed.

The development on green belt land and on part of Waterstock Golf Course was previously rejected by South Oxfordshire District Council, though the developer appealed the decision.

But the Planning Inspectorate identified "harm to designated heritage assets, the character and appearance of the area and to golfing facilities".

Waterstock parish meeting chair Rob Arthur said: "This was something of a David versus Goliath situation, so we want to thank the very many people who played a crucial role in this positive outcome."

The planning application of up to 120,000 sq m (393,701 sq ft) of land included research and development units, light industrial units, offices, a school and a multi-storey car park.

The planning inspector concluded it would "not be sustainable development" and there were "significant material considerations".

The council previously refused it as it would "introduce a large-scale science and innovation park into a rural area" and "result in the loss, deterioration and harm" to protected species in a Conservation Target Area.

Campaigners raised concerns about the environmental harm and noise, the loss of the golf course and more than 100 acres of green belt, and travel infrastructure.

Campaign co-ordinator Henry Manisty said the community was "deeply relieved and grateful", calling it a "victory for common sense".

"The proposed development site is unsustainable, being entirely vehicle dependent with no railway, cycling or walking options... there were just so many negatives," he added.

The planning agent for Greystoke CB Limited, the investment company which is behind the plans, has been contacted for comment.

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