MP enters debate on fresh bid for housing (From Oxford Mail)

MP enters debate on fresh bid for housing

1:00pm Monday 28th January 2013 in News By Freddie Whittaker, covering Politics and Kidlington. Call me on 01865 425498

DEVELOPERS who lost a planning bid for 76 homes near a busy road in the Vale have re-submitted their proposals.

David Wilson Homes’ application for the homes next to the A417 near Stanford-in-the-Vale was turned down in December.

The original plans were criticised by residents, who raised concerns about the impact the development would have on the village, and its proximity to a busy road.

On Wednesday, the firm reapplied at to Vale of White Horse district council.

The previous bid for the site was thrown out on the grounds the location was too far from existing settlements, and not enough detail was provided about highways, drainage and contributions to the local infrastructure.

Now Wantage MP and communications minister Ed Vaizey has entered into the debate.

Mr Vaizey said: “While I support the need for new housing in the Vale, I have serious concerns about this particular proposal.

“If it is built it would effectively incorporate a major trunk road within the curtilage of the village, which strikes me as going against all the principles of taking through-traffic outside villages.

“The new development would be cut off from the amenities of the village and residents would have to regularly cross a dangerous road. Villagers tell me they have identified various sites within the village which would be more suitable.”

Charles Gaunt, landlord of the Horse and Jockey pub, said: “I think people are going to be concerned, but we have to wait and see what they are proposing and how it’s different.

“I think if it’s for the same number of homes in the same location, it’s going to take quite a lot of work to convince people.”

A report on the application said: “The location of the site is reasonably close to a range of the limited existing facilities in the village and could be accessible by cycle and foot although the main A417 road would have to be crossed, and this could be perceived as a deterrent to sustainable travel to the village services, and result in additional local use of the private car.”

The document went on to recommend planning permission was refused, but suggested the proposals weren’t without merit due to the shortage of housing in the district.

David Wilson Homes southern planning director Giuseppe Zanre said: “We submitted a revised detailed planning application on Wednesday for new homes to the west of the A417 Faringdon Road to the Vale of White Horse district council for their consideration and determination in due course.”