HEARINGS into whether 4,400 homes should be built on the Green Belt north of Oxford have started.

Planning inspector Paul Griffiths will sit at hearings due to end next Wednesday in Cherwell District Council’s chamber in Bodicote.

He will be asked to decide whether building the new homes to accommodate Oxford City Council’s unmet housing need in Begbroke, Yarnton and Kidlington is sound.

Read again: Plans for 4,400 homes north of Oxford challenged by villagers from Kidlington, Begbroke and Yarnton

Thousands of people said they were opposed to the measure when Cherwell councillors approved the policy last February.

Oxford Mail:

Cherwell District and Oxford City Council are in favour of the homes being built, along with developers, but opponents include Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran.

The Cherwell Development Watch Alliance, which is also opposed to the homes being built, said the 4,400 home figure was based on ‘grossly overstated estimates’.

Read also: Cherwell homes plan for Oxford Green Belt backed by planning inspector

Giles Lewis, of Cherwell Development Watch Alliance, said: “If Oxford City changed its policy of reserving land for new employment, it could build all the houses it needs on its own land .”