BANBURY'S biggest estate could be about to get a whole lot bigger after sweeping plans to build hundreds of homes were finally put forward.

Housebuilding firm Bloor Homes has applied to Cherwell District Council for permission to create a total of 319 new properties in Bretch Hill.

If all goes to plan the development will be built on green space west of Edinburgh Way and will also include new roads and employment space.

Banbury Town Council leader Kieron Mallon said: "This application has been through the local planning process and now seems to be coming to fruition.

"This will bring much-needed infrastructure to the Bretch Hill area which we hope will revitalise this part of town not only for new people but for existing residents.

"As with any development there will be disruption with traffic and building work but in the long term we hope this will be good news for this part of Banbury."

The firm secured outline planning permission to build up to 400 homes on the site last March, with full planning permission for the first 110 granted in August.

This new application for full planning permission would bring the total number of homes up to 429, with a further 51 specialised homes planned for over-55s.

Bloor Homes Western planning director Nick Rawlings, said: "This development will make a significant contribution to meeting Cherwell’s housing needs.

"There has been a notable shift in demand from the marketplace towards smaller four, three and two-bedroom properties, and we have therefore reviewed our plans.

"We are confident that our proposals, which include a 28-acre linear parkland, will deliver an attractive and high quality development for the town."

A total of 236 properties, all two-storey with a mixture of two, three and four bedrooms, will be for private ownership, with a further 39 for rent.

Eighteen are likely to be shared ownership and 26 are classed as 'discount' housing for groups such as young first-time buyers or those on rent-to-buy schemes.

According to Cherwell's planning policy at least 30 per cent will need to be 'affordable', meaning flats could cost about £120,000 or houses about £180,000.

Plans to 'rejuvenate' Bretch Hill have been on the cards for years as part of Cherwell's local plan and the green space has been earmarked for housing.

Banbury Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) secretary Andrew McCallum said the group would meet on February 27 to discuss its stance on the plans.

He said: "In principle the CPRE's preference is for development around Banbury rather than in and around villages, this site on a village would be completely unacceptable.

"But that particular site is not as preferable as some of the others such as off Oxford Road and Southam Road. They are more sustainable and have better access.

"It's a very difficult one. We realise people have got to live somewhere but it's just not a brilliant location."

Up to £355,000 in statutory contributions will be spent on improving outdoor sports facilities in Banbury and £239,000 on indoor sports.

Local community facilities will also receive a financial boost and a community development worker will be hired to help new residents settle into their community.

If plans are approved Cherwell District Council will also require Bloor Homes to provide public art on the site to enhance community areas.

Neighbours and community groups have until March 8 to respond. Search for 17/00189/F on Cherwell's planning website.