Long Hanborough raises infrastructure concerns over 150 new homes

Blenheim Estate Homes said the development will include 50 per cent affordable homes with access and open space on North Field, north of the Witney Road, on the western edge of the village of Long Hanborough.

Residents and councillors had been concerned about pressure on local services, such as the doctor's surgery and schools as well as limited local transport links.

Hanborough parish council and the adjacent Freeland parish council objected to the application and 254 letters of objection were received.

Resident Steve Hurst described Long Hanborough as "full to bursting".

West Oxfordshire district councillor Lidia Arciszewska, representing Hanborough and Freeland Ward, made a statement at the planning meeting where the application was approved by the Uplands planning committee by a majority of six to five with one abstention.

She said: "Hanborough has undergone rapid growth in recent years; nearly 400 houses were built there since 2015, a 37 per cent increase. Only 25 of these homes were in the Local Plan.

"Another 300 houses were built in the nearby villages of Freeland and North Leigh.

"What concerns me is that this rapid growth was not accompanied by development of the necessary infrastructure."

She said there were few trains to London and a half-hourly bus from Burford to Woodstock.

"But Hanborough lost connection to Eynsham and the centre of Freeland and there is no direct public transport to Oxford Parkway and North Oxford."

She added that she had contacted the new surgery in Hanborough Gate which was funded by the developer.

"They were very grateful for the new building, but at the same time frustrated that only two years after moving in they are over capacity. This means they are dividing rooms into two to provide more units to see patients.

"The school has been expanded, and currently has space for an additional 100 pupils. Nevertheless, the current capacity is expected to be filled imminently due to the demographics of residents in the developments already built," she said.

She said provision of a new hall should be secured.

Her major concern was collection of foul water and that Thames Water have confirmed that the Church Hanborough Sewage Treatment Works is well over capacity.

"The 150 homes proposed here in addition to the 160 homes within the proposed retirement village development in Freeland would contribute around 100 tonnes of additional sewage to the network every day; this is equivalent in volume to three shipping containers.

"Without suitable upgrades this will be added to the spills volumes," she said.

Just prior to the meeting Thames Water submitted an updated statement in which they confirmed the lack of capacity and asked for a condition to be placed should the application be approved.

WODC planning officers recommended provisional approval subject to conditions, saying "impacts of the development regarding social infrastructure can be addressed through a legal agreement.

"Assessing the scheme in the round, on balance, the benefits of the proposal are considered to outweigh the harms".

Following the decision applicant Blenheim Estate Homes said: "This development will provide much-needed new housing, in a sustainable location, that will help the current shortfall in the area, including, crucially, 50 per cent affordable homes.

"We have committed to a landscape-led design with plenty of open space, new woodland, and natural habitat – including a biodiversity net gain of at least 10 per cent - which will open up this previously inaccessible site to the wider community to enjoy."

It said the development will feature low-energy homes built to an "exceptional standard" and will promote a pedestrian and cycle-friendly transport strategy.

"On-site renewable energy and sustainable construction will contribute to our target for a net-zero carbon site."

It added: "Whilst we appreciate that there have been some concerns about development, we will continue to communicate closely with local residents during the next phase of the process and we are committed to delivering many benefits to the whole community.”

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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