Housing plan moves forward despite parking concerns

Controversial plans to build homes on a town's car park will move forward despite more than 2,000 objections.

West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) said it would progress plans to build up to 70 affordable homes on Witney's Woodford Way car park, reducing the number of public spaces from about 250 to 20.

More than 2,300 people have backed a petition against the proposals, with critics saying it will increase pressure on other car parks and deter visitors.

The council said Witney would still have more than 1,600 parking spaces in the town centre and that recent surveys suggest there is plenty of capacity.

The development would provide one and two-bedroom flats for social rent on the site of the council-owned car park.

With more than 2,300 households currently on its housing waiting list, WODC has insisted the project is needed.

Leader Andy Graham said: "We are acting now because the need is urgent, with families, individuals and key workers in West Oxfordshire being priced out of the place they call home.

"This scheme is about delivering on what we've heard from residents: that we need more truly affordable homes, particularly social rent, in the right locations, with strong links to services and the community."

The plans progress as WODC looks to build 18,000 new homes by 2043 to meet government housing targets, prompting critics to raise concerns about the loss of parking spaces.

Under the current proposals, 90 spaces would remain. Of those, 70 would be allocated for residents of the new housing, leaving 20 for public use.

More than 2,300 people have backed a petition against the plans which was launched by deputy leader of WODC's Conservative group Liam Walker.

He said: "This proposal is completely out of touch with the reality of life in Witney.

"Woodford Way car park is a well-used, central facility that hospital staff, shop workers and local businesses rely on every single day. Slashing it down to just 20 public spaces at the same time as pushing through plans for 18,000 new homes simply doesn't add up.

"Our town centre is going to get busier, not quieter, and that means we need more free, accessible parking, not less."

Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, executive member for environment at WODC, said: "We understand the concerns around parking and have considered carefully the alternatives available within nearby car parks in the town centre.

"The Marriotts Walk car park has plenty of capacity for longer-stay parking, and we are also exploring additional options for residents and key workers, alongside the spaces that will remain on site."

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