A VILLAGE fed up with housing developers has issued a challenge – insisting that if plans are found to be unsustainable, builders should not appeal against a refusal.

Residents of East Challow, near Wantage, say developer Bovis Homes is trying to force them into accepting an “unsustainable” 50-home estate.

With a total of 321 homes planned, the 300-home village is set to double in size.

Villagers claim the Windmill Place development would increase the risk of traffic accidents on narrow roads.

Accountant Anne Marie Bromley, 44, said: “We can prove this proposal is unsafe, unsustainable and un-needed.

“If Bovis promises not to appeal, the planning committee can make a considered and reasonable decision without the added pressure.”

More than 280 villagers, backed by the parish council, have issued Bovis with a challenge: if it loses the planning application, it will promise not to appeal.

A 71-home estate is already under construction on the former Nalder industrial unit in the village, and last month Vale of White Horse District Council revealed it had underestimated its housing need by 7,000 homes, and proposed building an extra 200.

Since its last Local Plan for development expired in 2011, the council has been unable to demonstrate its five-year supply of land for housing, required by the Government. In the past year it has lost five out of six appeals against planning refusals.

The planning committee is due to decide on the application on May 27.

Bovis spokesman Scott Curtis refused to promise not to appeal against any rejection.