A HOST of problems could arise from plans to build almost 300 new homes in North Hinksey, community leaders say.

Exactly 296 new homes are currently being considered by Vale of White Horse District Council across three sites.

The largest of the developments – off Tilbury Lane in Botley – would involve 150 homes built by developers Persimmon Homes Ltd.

The second at Lime Road, Botley, plans for 136 homes to be built by developers Bovis Homes, while Bouvard Group hopes to demolish two houses to build 10 new homes off Hurst Rise Road in Botley.

Chairman of North Hinksey Parish Council Andrew Pritchard warns the infrastructure can’t cope with the number of new homes proposed.

He said: “They are three major developments. Naturally, people are concerned about them.

“The newest application for 10 houses could create problems because it is on a narrow bend on a narrow road where schoolchildren walk to school.

“North Hinksey Parish Council objects to them, but we can only express a view. We are hoping the objections can be sorted out.

“For both the Tilbury Lane and Lime Road developments, they are part of the Vale’s local plan 2011 so there is going to be development there.

“What we want to do is have some of the problems addressed. Some people don’t want them at all, but that is unrealistic. Our objective is to make the developments as acceptable as possible for the people who are going to live there as well as minimising the impact for those who live around them.”

Mr Pritchard also questioned if Botley Medical Centre would be able to cope with the extra population and said the roads – and Lime Road in particular – were too narrow for the extra cars.

The parish council submitted its objections to the Hurst Rise Road plans and Tilbury Lane homes last month, and the Lime Road development in May.

The Tilbury Lane site is also in Cumnor parish where that council has objected saying its principal concerns were the impact on the residents of Fogwell Road, Tilbury Lane, and Hazel Road. A target decision date for the Tilbury Lane site is September 4, and Hurst Rise Road is September 14.

The target date for the Lime Road development is already overdue – from July 10.

building work is undergoing and in the future.”

It added that the sewage system should be reviewed, the footpath from Hazel Road be extended to Elms Road, and alternative access routes for construction vehicles should be considered.