Decisions on Hill Rise and Banbury Road plans in Woodstock

Some 450 people, local councillors and Woodstock Town Council objected to plans for green homes on land east of Hill Rise which on top of other developments they said the town's infrastructure could not support.

West Oxfordshire District Council's Uplands Area planning committee refused permission for the development on the grounds it would cause "significant landscape harm" given its density and the building heights "and its sensitive edge of town location".

It said there was a failure to demonstrate a "high quality" and "sustainable" design or that it would be a safe and connected community "that would form a positive addition to Woodstock".

READ ALSO: Mum warns Oxfordshire of Strep A symptoms on Facebook

In addition it said the applicant had not entered into a legal agreement to fund more affordable housing, local services or infrastructure.

Woodstock Town Council strongly objected to the development, stating the number of homes exceeded the WODC Local Plan and would negatively impact Blenheim Palace, a World Heritage Site.

Thames Valley Police said the proposed parking barns would not provide security for the cars and with the layout of footpaths and roads could attract crime and antisocial behaviour.

Blenheim Estate Homes also applied for outline planning application for up to 235 dwellings with community space and car barns on land north of Banbury Road in Woodstock.

The planning committee accepted the recommendation of the Planning Officer that provisional approval of the application should be granted subject to various conditions.  

The Hill Rise and Banbury Road applications have been designed in tandem and have followed the same pre-application and consultation process.

Woodstock Town Council also strongly objected to the Banbury Road scheme and called it "an unsympathetic, unwanted and unnecessarily large-scale development".

READ ALSO: Oxford Wood Farm 'murder' victim - inquest opened into death

It raised concerns about the design, access to the development and to infrastructure issues in Woodstock, particularly the oversubscribed school and doctor's surgery running well overcapacity.

As the council is unable to demonstrate a 5 years supply of deliverable housing, the application had to be considered within the so-called 'tilted balance' which 'requires a presumption in favour of sustainable development and that the planning permission be granted unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits'.

Despite all discussed material concerns the application was approved, although the vote was split.

Blenheim has said both its developments would "provide a broad range of energy efficient homes for people of all ages, laid out on traditional streets with plenty of open space around them making walking, cycling and playing a part of everyday life."

It said: "Our aim is to prioritise affordable homes for local people and key workers.

"The designs for both sites respect the nearby heritage and conservation areas that Woodstock neighbourhood is famous for and provide generous outdoor spaces that compliment and preserve existing views and natural habitats.

"The development gives us the opportunity to enrich Woodstock and its surroundings."

Read more from this author

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

Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail