PLANS to build 283 homes on the edge of Oxford have been described as 'irresponsible' and 'dangerous' despite council officers recommending the scheme for approval.

Vale of White Horse District Council’s planning committee will discuss Redrow Homes’ application for land off Kennington Road on the southern edge of Kennington – which will also include a play area, public open space and shop – at a meeting on Monday

It follows the approval of a 240-house estate in nearby Radley on land also off Kennington Road, by the council last month.

Concerns raised by residents in more than 50 objections include traffic issues, an already 'under-pressure' GP surgery and the loss of the remains of a Roman settlement.

Dr Bettina Wittneben, who lives in Kennington Road, is one of those opposed to the development.

She said: "The infrastructure along Kennington Road is already in crisis and adding 283 homes in addition to the recently approved extra 240 homes further down on Kennington Road is irresponsible and dangerous.

"It is irresponsible because so far there has been no clear strategy in how Redrow would deal with effluent from the site. It is dangerous because Sugworth Lane will not be able to cope with the increase in traffic resulting in accidents."

Dr Wittenben will be one of several residents, including members of Radley Parish Council, who will be speaking against the development at Monday’s meetings.

Although the 11-hectare farmer’s field south of Sandford Lane and East of Kennington Road borders Kennington, it is in the parish of Radley.

Radley Parish Council has officially objected to the scheme, accusing developer Redrow Homes of acting in a 'cavalier' and 'non-transparent' manner.

Neighbouring authority Kennington Parish Council, meanwhile, stated it would leave the decision for the Vale to determine, though also highlighted issues with an inadequate sewage network that it said needed to be resolved before the development began.

Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) has also said it is worried about how Kennington Health Centre would cope with an estimated 700 new patients. It is asking for £278,532 from the developer to these meet additional needs.

A report by Vale planning officers to the planning committee said changes had been made to the original proposals, which went in for 288 houses in November, to address concerns and that the scheme represented a sustainable development as well providing funding for local infrastructure, including the long-awaited scheme to create a diamond interchange at the Lodge Hill interchange in Abingdon.