A DECISION to turn down plans for 270 homes in Witney’s Windrush Valley could be “just the start” of a long battle, according to residents.

West Oxfordshire District Council’s lowlands area planning sub-committee unanimously rejected the proposal by Gladman Homes to develop land off Burford Road on Monday.

But the developer, which was not represented at the meeting, is expected to appeal and put the final decision in the hands of an independent planning inspector.

Jennie Allen, chairwoman of the Windrush Valley Protection Group set up by residents, said: “It was absolutely the right decision in light of a preposterous application.

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“However, it’s highly likely the developer is going to appeal so this is just the start of the process and the campaign will be running full steam ahead.”

Gladman appealed against the council’s decision in January to refuse planning permission for 127 homes in Aston Road, Bampton, with a six-day public inquiry ending earlier this month. On the developer’s website it says it is “obsessed with winning consents”.

West Oxfordshire District Council member for Witney Central, Andrew Coles, said: “We’re very concerned about the future because Gladman is going to appeal.

“We have to do our damnedest to make sure this proposal is stopped once and for all and this beautiful landscape is preserved for now and the future.

“I’ve never seen such a unanimous sway of opinion against an application.”

Ms Allen, who said she collected 2,500 signatures for petitions, told the sub-committee on Monday the valley was “one of the most beautiful and scenic parts of Witney” and is a natural barrier to nearby villages.

Planning officers and councillors were concerned the development would lead to more traffic through the town.

They also highlighted the proximity of the proposed estate to the Flogas gas storage facility at Apley Works.

It was called “unacceptable in public safety terms” by the Health and Safety Executive.

Tony Gaskell, from Flogas Britain, said up to 200 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was stored on site.

He said 270 families moving next to it would have a “significant impact” on the risk of people being affected by a potential explosion.

There were also concerns about an increased flooding risk in other parts of the town by building on a sloped flood plain. But the Environment Agency did not object to the plans, as it was satisfied by Gladman’s proposal for underground storage tanks to help prevent flooding.

The council’s area development manager Phil Shaw said the council “assumed” Gladman would appeal.

Deputy leader Mark Booty believed the developer was happy to bypass the local authority and put its energy into the public inquiry.

He said: “We’re in for a real battle for this site over the next two years.”

The developer, which has not commented on its plans for an appeal, has stated in the past that it wanted to “provide a good mix of housing sizes . . . embracing a high quality design.”

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