New Vanderbilt estate near Didcot 'could cause months of traffic chaos'

Vanderbilt Homes is building 36 homes in Long Wittenham near Didcot, after plans which were originally refused were allowed on appeal last year.

However one of the planning conditions is that access to the site on the corner of Fieldside and Didcot Road must be improved on road safety grounds.

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Vanderbilt’s proposal is to move 200 metres of the main Didcot Road closer to homes.

Work would also involve re-locating gas, water, sewers and telecom services. Traffic calming will also have to be relocated under the condition laid down by South Oxfordshire District Council.

The work could take up to six months with three-way traffic lights operating 24-hours-a-day, and villagers now fear that drivers who pass through Long Wittenham will seek out alternative routes with knock-on effects for neighbouring villages.

The parish council, which raised concerns about the whole estate plan in 2018, particularly access to the site, is now opposing the road works.

Its case is being led by councillor and retired highways engineer Steve Brown.

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He has warned that, unless the proposed work works plan is completely abandoned, there would be months of 'extensive traffic chaos in the village'.

Mr Brown added: “Street lighting is poor and the scheme does not include improvements.

"Access to some houses would be difficult and loss of the wide verge would lead to vehicles parking on the main road causing congestion."

The parish council urged villagers to raise their concerns with county council highways which wants to gauge local opinion before making a decision.

Objections should be sent to jane.clark@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by letter to Jane Clark at Community Operations, Traffic and Road Safety, New Road, Oxford. OX1 1ND.

A planning application to build 36 homes at the site was first submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council in April 2016 by Kier Group, prompting concerns from dozens of locals.

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When the council had not given a decision more than a year later, the company lodged an appeal against the lack of determination.

Kier submitted a new plan in June 2018 which was refused by the council in November that year.

The company appealed and won permission in May last year.

Vanderbilt Homes then took over the whole controversial project, including the roadworks which are now proving to be the latest bump in the long road.