RESIDENTS in Woodstock have vowed to “fight until the bitter end” against plans to build up to 1,500 homes east of the town.

It comes as developers claim it is one of Oxfordshire’s most sustainable sites in helping to solve the county’s housing problem.

Pye Homes and West Waddy ADP will consult this week with councillors, school governors and community groups about plans to develop the land, which is owned by Blenheim Palace.

They believe it has all the necessary transport links to Oxford and would provide much-need- ed housing for people taking on the 1,800 new jobs to be created as part of the “city deal” at the likes of nearby Begbroke Science Park. 
Plans are in their infancy but could include a 150-unit care village, 2,325sqm supermarkets, other shops, small business units, a park and ride with up to 300 car parking spaces and a new football stadium. 
But Woodstock Action Group chairman Bob McGurrin said the development would overwhelm the town. 
He said: “The proposed supermarket would work against attempts to rejuvenate the town centre and a lot of shops in Woodstock would be out of business in no time. 
“The town would shut down because the competition would damage its vitality, while it would be doubled in size. It would also create traffic problems. 
“We will fight it to the bitter end.” 
Lewisfield Way resident Sharone Parnes added: “I don’t see how it can be considered sustainable. 
“We’re always playing catch-up to get the road infrastructure to where it should be but the additional homes would put the situation backwards again.” 
In an exclusive interview with the Oxford Mail, the team behind the proposals set out their vision for the development, which would be built over 20 years. 
About 100,000 homes need to be built in Oxfordshire by 2031, according to the Strategic Housing Market Assessment. 
A third of the 66-hectare site, between the A44 Oxford Road and Shipton Road, next to Oxford Airport, is in West Oxfordshire and the rest of it is in Cherwell. 
A public consultation will begin next month ahead of submitting a planning application in December. 
A primary school would be built next to Marlborough School and act as a feeder school. 
Two entrances would be created, from the A44 and in Upper Campsfield Road, with a new link road connecting it to Shipton Road. 
A roundabout would be built in Upper Campsfield Road and could also include a junction for a new entrance to the airport. 
John Ashton, planning partner of consultants West Waddy, said: “We can assist both West Oxfordshire District Council and Cherwell District Council with providing the housing they need. 
“From a sustainability point of view we don’t think you can get a better location than Woodstock. 
“It’s directly next to the A44, which goes past Begbroke and is near the new Oxford Parkway railway station at Water Eaton. 
“But we would also have to provide infrastructure that will secure the long-term stability of the current town centre and community.” 
The Blenheim Palace estate, which has also submitted plans for 169 homes in Long Hanborough and 27 homes in Bladon, wants to sell the plot to help fund a £40m maintenance bill over the next two decades. 
Estate manager Roger File said: “These developments would certainly put us in a much better position than we are now.” 
West Oxfordshire District Council’s draft Local Plan, which would need 9,450 homes built by 2029, is currently under consultation. 
Council leader Barry Norton said: “I don’t think it would help us very much because a very small proportion of what’s being proposed is in our district.” 
Cherwell District Council has been asked to resubmit its Local Plan because the 16,000 homes it proposed were deemed too low by a planning inspector. 
Simon Holland, who represents the Kirtlington ward, which includes the site, on Cherwell District Council, said: “I can’t think we would welcome it as it’s a very substantial development.” 
Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth, who represents Woodstock ward, previously opposed plans for 180 homes on the West Oxfordshire part of the site, saying it was “overdevelopment”. 
He said: “I would have to look at the proposals but my gut reaction is that doubling the size of the town would have a big impact.”

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