The campaigner behind reopening a railway station near Wantage believes the “dream could finally become a reality” after a developer revealed speculative new plans.

Andy Holding of Wantage and Grove Station Supporters Group has welcomed the ‘draft masterplan’ for a development called ‘Grove Gateway’ unveiled by developers Richborough last month.

The plans, which are at an early stage and have not yet been submitted to the planning authority, would see a new train station, primary school, and potentially hundreds of homes built in Grove.

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Mr Holding, who has campaigned for years to reopen the long-closed Wantage and Grove station, said: “I’m all for it. It would be a win-win situation.

“It means that a dream could finally become a reality.”

In a telephone call earlier this month, Mr Holding discussed the proposals with one of the regional directors of Richborough and offered his advice on how to apply for a new station.

“They want to keep everyone in the loop – not just me,” he said.

“We basically discussed the entire railway situation and how keen they are to have infrastructure in place for the community. They see the station as an essential.

“There’s a lot of thinking that’s gone into it, and they are thinking about what’s in the best interest of the community.”

Richborough’s masterplan, which has been circulated to nearby residents, would see a nearly 70 hectare site to the north of Grove developed.

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While the company did not specify the total number of houses attached to the development, it said there would be approximately 230 affordable homes.

It is estimated the total number of homes could be as high as 950.

Between the 2011 and 2021 censuses, the constituency of Wantage grew by 9,390 households, a rise of 21 per cent — more than any other in Britain.

Julie Mabberley of Wantage and Grove Campaign Group was less enthusiastic about the plans.

“We don’t need any more housing,” she said. “We have already got Wantage and Grove almost joining together. If we get this, we are going to be joining into the Hanneys as well.

“200 affordable homes is nothing,” she said. “The whole of Oxfordshire is short of key workers, teachers, care workers, ambulance workers, and firemen. The reason we’re short is because housing in Oxfordshire is so expensive.

“There’s just no infrastructure. We don’t have a sufficient healthcare provision and there are very few shops even with the Lidl that’s coming soon. I want to know what is happening.

“I’ll believe in the railway station when it happens. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have it, but I don’t think it’s going to happen because it’s not in Network Rail’s plans.”

A Richborough spokesman said: "Richborough can confirm they are promoting land to the north of Grove for inclusion in the Joint Vale of White Horse District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council Local Plan 2041.

"Richborough are keen to understand community views on the mixed-use development and will host a full public consultation as the local plan progresses."