A ROW has broken out between Carterton and neighbours Brize Norton after plans to build 700 homes were compared to Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.

The comparison has been branded as “disrespectful and outrageous” by one Carterton leader.

Carterton Town Council said it was “deeply offended” by the remarks made in a dossier by Brize Norton Action Group, which is opposing the Carterton East development between the town and village.

Developer Bloor Homes and landowner Oxford University college Christ Church are seeking outline planning permission from West Oxfordshire District Council to build on the site bordered by Carterton Road, the B447, Burford Road and Brize Norton. In the 15-page document, to be given to district councillors ahead of a decision, the action group said the “historic village” is under threat.

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It added: “Think of Carterton and Russia and Brize as Ukraine and you get the idea”.

Carterton Mayor Lynn Little said she was “upset and shocked” by the analogy. She said: “This town has fine people with a wonderful community and we’re working as hard as we can to make Carterton the place we want to work and live in.

“To liken us to Russia after what has happened is disrespectful and outrageous.

“I’m absolutely devastated.”

Town clerk Caroline Ramsey said the council had held a neighbourhood meeting in the summer with surrounding parishes to discuss housing proposals and other issues.

She said the council has not supported the development and would prefer to see the site used for a combination of housing and employment space.

Ms Ramsey said: “I was quite flabbergasted when I saw it as we haven’t even asked for this housing development.

“We’ve have tried to extend the hand of friendship but this basically says ‘Carterton is a dump and we don’t want to be part of it’.”

The action group, supported by Brize Norton Parish Council, said there are currently 350 homes but this would be almost trebled by the development, included as part of the district council’s draft Local Plan.

It claims the proposed site was meant to be a natural buffer between the town and village after previous development in Shilton Park and believes traffic will increase.

Member Selwyn Shorrock, 74, said: “The dossier is really just meant to show that you’ve got a big place threatening a little place.

“It’s difficult to get half a dozen homes to blend into the character of an existing village so putting 700 homes here will destroy the character.

“It seems like the first step towards coalescence and being absorbed into Carterton, which we don’t want.”

Parish council chairman Keith Glazier said: “It’s a simile and I think they’ve overreacted.

“It wasn’t the intention to say that it’s purely Carterton and we’re aware of who’s driving the development – the landowner, developer and district council.”

 

 

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