BUILDING has got under way on a housing estate that received more than 150 objections and was refused by Cherwell District Council, but later approved on appeal.
Housebuilder Mulberry Homes is launching its latest development in Oxfordshire with a collection of 66 ‘luxury’ homes in the village of Launton, near Bicester.
Situated on Blackthorn Road, the estate called Launton Mews will be home to a range of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes.
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But when the proposal was put to the council in 2017, it received criticism with the main problem being that it would be an ‘unnecessary development’ of greenfield land forming part of the open countryside.
Residents were also against the plan with 175 letters of objection submitted.
Concerns included the fact that the development would lead to increased traffic, would not be in keeping with the character of the village, would be too large, and that there was an increased flood risk and drainage issues in the village.
Launton resident Caroline Dunn said at the time: “The integrity of the village will be lost and with so much development going on in Bicester I feel that Launton will eventually be swallowed up and we don’t want to live in a large town.”
The council also said the application failed to take into account the policy requirements relating to recreation, outdoor sports provision and children’s play space and the proposals relating to surface water drainage were ‘inadequate’.
Despite this, the developer appealed the decision and it was later approved by a planning inspector in 2018.
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The inspector, Kenneth Stone, was satisfied that, ‘designed with care’, the housing estate would not be ‘unduly assertive’ or ‘excessively intrusive’ enough to undermine the beauty of the countryside.
Mr Stone also said that additional traffic would not result in material harm to highway safety and there was no evidence to demonstrate that there would be significant inconvenience or hazard.
Launton Mews is Mulberry Homes’ second development in Oxfordshire and follows the Stratton Park development in Bicester, off London Road.
Kerry Jones, sales director at Mulberry Homes, said: “We’re delighted to announce our brand-new development in Launton, following the success of our Stratton Park development. This project is a great milestone in our exciting growth plans and we’re thrilled to be once again investing in the locality.
“Whilst providing property seekers with more homes, we’re so proud to be creating a new community that first-time buyers, families, young professionals and retired couples alike can thrive in.”
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Mulberry Homes says the location for Launton Mews was ‘handpicked’, making sure residents will have everything they need on their doorstep.
The marketing suite and showhomes are expected to open in spring 2021, and potential purchasers can register their interest now by visiting mulberryhomes.co.uk.
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