MORE than 1,000 homes could be built on land in north Witney if major new plans are given the go-ahead.

The development could also pave the way for a West End Link Road, as well as a new primary school, to cope with the estate.

The scheme has been welcomed by some community leaders, who see the scheme as a chance to ease congestion problems for the whole town. However, warnings have also been sounded over whether suggested flood alleviation measures will be able to cope with the influx of new homes.

About 1,400 homes would be built on the site near Hailey Road, and townsfolk are being asked to have their say.

Colin Dingwall, chairman of Crawley Parish Council, welcomed the plans.

He said: “We have seen major development over the last 30 years at Thorney Leys, and then Deer Park, which provided much-needed infrastructure to the west.

“Also at Cogges and Madley Park to the south and east, which have funded Jubilee Way and The Cogges Link Road.

“Crawley Parish Council has been campaigning for 25 years, and is pleased to see this final development coming forward in the Local Development Framework (LDF), which will finally provide answers to the much needed infrastructure issues in the north.

“The LDF is a plan which takes us through to 2026 so this is not going to happen quickly.”

He added: “But if we miss this opportunity to provide much needed infrastructure, we will continue to suffer congestion, flooding and pollution in the north for decades to come.”

Developers Gleeson Strategic Land (GSL) and Taylor Wimpey, who were also behind Thorney Lees, have now put proposals out to public consultation.

Scott Chamberlin, managing director for GSL, said: “The proposed scheme and initiatives will greatly enhance not only the infrastructure but also improve living, working and social conditions in a highly sustainable development.”

Mr Chamberlin added: “We believe that our proposal will deliver many positives which are greatly needed by Witney residents.”

Developers claim a new road, which will run from Woodford Way to West End and will create another River Windrush crossing, will help relieve air pollution, congestion and parking problems in the town centre.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Witney Transport Study has shown if the Cogges Link Road went ahead, it would provide infrastructure for 1,000 homes in north Witney.

But if both the Cogges Link Road and the West End Link Road were given the green light, then 1,400 homes could be built.

Most of the land needed for the road is already owned by the developers.

The development would be built close to Hailey Road, which is prone to flooding, and two per cent would be on the floodplain.

The housebuilders said they would create a drainage system which would control any surface water generated by the site.

This could involve building balancing ponds, which store water when it rains, and then release it at a controlled rate.

David Condon, of Witney CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) and Witney First, was concerned the flood measures would not be enough.

He said: “It seems to me there is a complete disregard for the flooding problem that Witney has at the moment.

“It is the wrong place to develop Witney, as it will just add to the floodplain.”

Stephen Harness, 42, of The Springs, said: “The link road has always been a good idea.

“I think it would help the new town centre of Marriotts Walk, and it would be a good bus link into the town. It would relieve all of the congestion on Bridge Street.”

It could also provide a park-and-ride facility for commuters to Oxford.

As part of the development, sports pitches would be created, along with new shops, footpaths and public transport to the rest of Witney.

The urban edge of north Witney would have a woodland setting to blend in with surrounding countryside.