PLANS for 54 homes in Hook Norton should be refused, a council planning officer has said.

Cherwell District Council’s Linda Griffiths has recommended councillors reject the plan for land off Sibford Road.

Gladman Developments wants to build 54 homes – 19 affordable – on land north of Hook Norton Primary School and south of Redland Farm.

The planning officer said while the council had yet to approve plans for siting major estates up until 2031, she maintained the development should not be approved because of its “proximity and relationship” with the neighbouring farm, an intensive dairy farm.

She said: “The applicant has failed to adequately demonstrate that the proposed development would not be adversely affected by the activities associated with the dairy unit.”

This would result “in an unacceptable living environment for the occupiers of the new dwellings,” she said.

Nearly 100 villagers have written to the council expressing concerns over “further destruction of the environment”. Others warned that the village infrastructure could not cope with current demand and there were problems with school places.

Hook Norton Parish Council said the development was unsustainable.

It pointed to approved plans for 70 homes off Bourne Lane and 28 houses at the site of the DJ Stanton engineering building, in Station Road.

The district council’s planning committee will meet from 4pm tomorrow at the council’s White Post Road, Bodicote offices.

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