Concerned villagers have slammed plans for 160 new homes as a “joke.”

Chalgrove folk have warned the rural character of the South Oxfordshire village will be “destroyed” if the application by Gladman Developments is approved.

The homebuilders want to turn an area of land roughly the size of six football pitches to the south of the village into a housing development.

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It is a second bite of the cherry for Gladman after a similar application was rejected by South Oxfordshire District Council in October last year.

The company claims the development would fit in with the “village’s form and character.”

Oxford Mail: The plans would see 160 homes built off the B480 in Chalgrove

 

But several villagers have objected to the plans as part of a public consultation.

Richard Watson said: “Any further building in this area is unacceptable.

"The amount of habitat loss for wildlife is already out of control and destroying more space and building right next to waterways is just going to cause far more harm.

“On top of this Chalgrove does not have the infrastructure to support all of the new houses already built let alone another 160.”

Chris Leftley added: “This is clearly a joke.

“Chalgrove is already grappling with issues of overcrowding, daily traffic congestion, two new housing developments and a scarcity of serene spaces.

“As for infrastructure and amenities, the current waiting time of six weeks to see a doctor is unacceptable, the school is full, the roads are already inadequate, and the drainage is poor.

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“It doesn’t take a genius to see that adding more residences to the area without addressing these existing challenges is stupid.

“In addition, the wildlife will be disrupted, with more habitat loss, and the whole rural character of the village will be destroyed.”

Oxford Mail: A design of what the proposed homes would look like

Laura Wharmby, who moved to Chalgrove 15 months ago, said the proposed development would “ruin the landscape."

She said: “You will turn that last corner on the B480 and all you will see is a sea of new houses.

“At least Chalgrove Meadow and Meadow Brook estates are both hidden from the eye until you are literally upon them.

“If this permission is given, I don't see where it ends. There will be another 160 houses built next to it and so on and so on.

“Never mind the wildlife that will be disrupted. We have so many birds nesting in the trees and so many bats that I love to watch during the summer evenings.

“Their entire habitat will be ruined if another housing estate is built on their home.”

Gladman has been approached for comment by the Oxford Mail.

The target decision date for the application is January 2.