A HEALTH risk could be posed by building a housing estate next to a gas storage facility in Witney, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

The HSE comments that the development of 270 homes in the Windrush Valley, off Burford Road, would be “unacceptable in public safety terms” are included in a report by planning officers that will urge councillors to reject the proposal by Gladman Homes at a meeting on Monday.

Campaigners who formed the Windrush Valley Protection Group to fight the proposal have welcomed the recommendation.

In the report to West Oxfordshire District Council’s lowlands area planning sub-committee, the HSE defined the Flogas gas storage facility at Apley Works, which lies next to the site, as a “hazardous installation.”

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About a third of the site, which would include families with children, could be affected by the facility at varying levels of danger.

It said: “The HSE advises against the erection of 270 dwellings in this location on public safety grounds because of the proximity of the adjacent gas storage and bottling facility.”

Planning officers said the development would be an “illogical urban extension of the town to the detriment of the rural character and appearance of the area”.

The report added that the plans failed to “promote sustainable transport aspirations”.

More than 1,200 people signed an online petition opposing the scheme, saying it could increase the flood risk and traffic, while more than 170 people formally made objections to the council.

The protection group issued A4 posters saying “Stop housing development on Burford Road” to more than 1,000 nearby homes and campaigned in the town centre.

Residents previously referred to a document by the HSE that analysed how to prevent another explosion similar to the Buncefield fire at Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal in Hemel Hempstead, in December 2005.

Group chairwoman Jennie Allen said the recommendation was “the right one” but believed Gladman would appeal if the plans are rejected by the sub-committee.

A six-day public inquiry into the district council’s decision to refuse plans by the developer for 127 homes in Bampton ended last week.

Ms Allen said: “Residents have let their feelings be known. We would like to think this is the end of the matter however unfortunately it may only be the start, given the developer is likely to appeal.”

In a planning statement, Gladman said it wanted to “provide a good mix of housing sizes and tenures with a range of housing embracing a high quality design philosophy”.

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