Anger at Uni homes

4:30pm Thursday 12th July 2007

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Oxford University has been accused of failing to consult villagers over a proposed new housing development near Kid- lington.

The university has said it has already discussed the idea of building homes on a 368-acre greenfield site between Yarnton and Begbroke with local parish councils.

But Dr Jill Durrant, who took over as chairman of Begbroke Parish Council a year ago, said she had been totally unaware of any consultation.

Dr Durrant said: "There has been no recent consultation over the last 12 months. I have learned my predecessor received an invitation to a consultation meeting more than 12 months ago. But we have heard nothing directly from the university since.

"There have only been rumours concerning the routing of a new link road between the university-owned Begbroke science park and the A44.

"The university chose to go to Seera (the South East England Regional Assembly), before it consulted anybody.

"It was more concerned about getting the scheme into the South East Plan than seeking the views of local people."

The spectre of a new town north of Oxford was raised with the inclusion of the university's proposal in a new Cherwell District Council planning document, listing options for housing.

The university owns Begbroke Science Park at the centre of the site, along with surrounding farmland off the Oxford to Woodstock road.

Part of the site is owned by Merton College.

The university said last week that it had a "duty as a registered charity to explore the option of developing the site," and had put forward an outline proposal showing how it could be done.

But the news has caused alarm among local councillors and residents.

Dr Durrant said that Begbroke Parish Council was determined that the Green Belt should be retained.

"We don't want to be a big sprawl from Oxford to Woodstock," she said.

"Access to Oxford from here is already dreadful."