Controversial plans to build eight homes next to a village primary school have been withdrawn before a decision could be made.

The proposals submitted to Vale of White Horse District Council would have seen a 0.8 acre plot of land developed on the southwestern edge of Chilton, a village near Didcot.

The homes would have been built next to Chilton Primary School.

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In a design and access statement, planning agents Oxford & Country Planning said the site was an “appropriate and sustainable location” for a development.

But applicants Mrs Hilary and Helen King-Thompson and Shorthouse have now withdrawn the plans.

It comes after villagers strongly objected to the proposals, with concerns about noise, traffic increases, and the potential of further development.

Householder Ryan Doughty said: “We moved to the village to get away from the noise and bustle of town living, however over the last few years, Newbury Road has seen 10 new properties being built and at this point, the near-constant building noise and related activities from those developments have been beyond uncomfortable.

“We were looking forward to a few years of quiet from this kind of activity.”

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Josiah Shields argued the site was ‘one of the best’ in the village for a new development but worried it would be a gateway for more houses.

“The applicant clearly does not intend to build just the eight that are currently being fielded and I do not think anybody particularly wants another lifeless new estate being constructed,” he said.

Deborah Richardson added: “Whilst this is only for eight houses, it is obvious from the layout that the plan is to go for further development.”

Some villagers claimed the new homes would have increased traffic on an already busy road.

Kelly Fraser said: “Eight houses might not seem that much, but when you think of that in terms of traffic up and down a road which is in a state of disrepair the traffic coming in and out of the new planned dwellings opposite a school, it is too many.”

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Another villager Andy Wells added: “An access is proposed opposite Downside, which would encourage traffic to and from this development past Chilton Primary School, a route which is already congested at peak times for school drop-off and pick-up.”

Chilton Parish Council also lodged an objection as it questioned the impact on school children.

The council statement said: “Access onto Upper Farm Road, which is a single track rural road adjacent to Chilton Primary School and heavily used by the School children, is inadequate and would create a hazard for pedestrians. The road is also regularly used by horse riders.”