PLANS have been submitted for a major extension to Banbury’s Bretch Hill estate.

Bloor Homes has applied for up to 400 homes, with another 60 sheltered or “extra care” homes and “small scale” employment space.

The land has been earmarked in Cherwell District Council’s local plan as one of five sites for new estates in the coming two decades.

Bloor strategic planning director Steve MacPherson said it would be “very keen” to start in mid-2014 for homes to go on sale that year.

He said: “Over the last three to four years we haven’t stopped building houses at all. Delivery is an important aspect for the local authority.”

The plans are only for the principle of the development – to the far western side of Banbury, off Edinburgh Way – and finer details would need further council approval.