RESIDENTS hope a development providing 250 homes in Carterton will help boost the town.

Plans have been submitted by David Wilson Homes to West Oxfordshire District Council to build the houses next to Kilkenny Lane Country Park on the northern edge of Carterton.

It includes the demolition of the existing property called Byfield, a detached house on the edge of the site.

Residents have welcomed the proposal and hope it will lead to improvements in Carterton’s infastructure.

Peter Handley, Oxfordshire county councillor for Carterton South and West, said: “It would be beneficial.

“Carterton needs a greater population so it can be sustainable and keep shops thriving.

“It could bring more money which could be used for infastructure.”

He said the new homes would also boost pupil numbers at Carterton Community College.

Bob Edwards, a governor at the college, which provides education from 11 to 16, said: “Carterton needs more houses so it can attract more pupils to the secondary school and also primary schools in the town.”

They include St Joseph’s Primary, St John the Evangelist Primary, Gateway Primary, Edith Moorhouse Primary and Carterton Primary.

Chairman of Carterton Chamber of Commerce Phil Scott said: “This housing development could see more people wanting to set up their own business in Carterton or wanting to work in the town.”

The development, which includes 75 affordable houses, is part of the West Oxfordshire District Council Local Plan which envisages 5,500 homes across the district, including 1,900 in Witney and a further 1,850 in Carterton.

Anju Sarpal, from David Wilson Homes, said: “The development will contribute to the town’s wider facilities.

“The country park will also benefit.

“We have been working with local residents to provide new allotment space and structured boundary planting off Shilton Road.

“We are anticipating work to start in the autumn.

Carterton has trebled in size since the 1960s to about 15,000 people.

Last month, residents were asked for their views on plans to build 700 new homes east of the town.

Known as Carterton East, this includes a primary school, shops, community and leisure facilities and an extension to Kilkenny Lane Country Park.

As well as 700 homes, of which 40 per cent would be affordable, the plan by Bloor Homes for land owned by Christ Church, Oxford, includes allotments, playing fields and a new road to link the B4477 with the Witney and Curbridge road.