A CONTROVERSIAL housing plan which prompted a protest play about kidnapping an Oxford don has now been formally submitted for approval.

Planning agents working with St John's College have made an official planning application to build 700 homes on a large tract of college land next to Kingston Bagpuize near Abingdon.

The plans drawn up by Lioncourt Strategic also include 70 extra-care homes for the elderly, a primary school and some open space.

The plan has been hugely controversial with villagers since it was first revealed last year.

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Residents in nearby Fyfield formed a campaign group against the plan called Fyfield Land Action Group (FLAG) and one member, Nick Smith, wrote a play in which the group kidnapped a professor at St John's in an attempt to derail the housing development.

In its planning application, Lioncourt lists the public engagement it has undertaken.

Summarising this the company says: "Feedback from the community has shaped the emerging proposals, with a range of community suggestions, including an adult football pitch and a new primary school, now included in the proposals", though a primary school was always part of the plan.

Members of public can see the planning application at whitehorsedc.gov.uk using reference number P18/V2791/O

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