HOUSING chiefs are pressing ahead with a 4,300-home development blueprint for West Oxfordshire.

The district council is sticking to the 4,300 target imposed by the Labour Government, even though the coalition Government said councils now have the final say.

Some 1,000 homes would be built in west Witney, between Deer Park Road and Downs Road, instead of north Witney, including leisure facilities and a new primary school.

Up to 50 per cent would be affordable homes.

Warwick Robinson, West Oxfordshire District Council’s cabinet member for strategic planning, said: “There is a huge shortage in affordable housing in the district.

“We have some of the highest housing costs in the country on the open market, yet income levels are quite suppressed.”

The council said the north development, between Hailey Road and New Yatt Road, did not have good enough transport links, school access and is a flood risk.

It did not rule it out in the long term.

It has not decided whether 1,000 homes will be built east or west of Carterton, towards Brize Norton or beyond Shill Brook Valley respectively.

The east site would also squeeze the gap between Carterton and RAF Brize Norton.

The council said further discussions are needed with the Ministry of Defence.

Shane Rae, of the Save Brize Norton Village campaign group, said: “If it goes ahead it will be the end of the ancient village of Brize Norton.”

Plans for 200 homes off London Road, Chipping Norton, have been scrapped.

Consultation will be carried out on all the schemes.