Plans for a huge new community in Oxfordshire countryside are due to be decided, despite fears over flooding.
Developers Oxford University College Christ Church and its partner Dorchester Residential Management are planning to build 1,450 new homes at Bayswater Brook to the north of Barton.
The proposal includes 120 units of assisted living, new community use buildings, new business and health buildings, a new primary school, open space, allotments, habitats, recreation facilities and public park areas.
The development has been recommended for permission and will be decided by South Oxfordshire District Council's planning committee on Wednesday, October 9.
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Fears have been raised over its sewage capacity. Recently, the surrounding roads were completely flooded, with locals questioning if the measure would be in place.
The Environment Agency has objected to the scheme. Surrounding parish council have also objected, along with 133 members of the public. A petition with 1,344 signatures has also been submitted.
A spokesperson for the development said: “Recent rainfall has been particularly heavy across Oxfordshire, with more than a month’s rainfall falling over two days and we are aware that Barton and some of the surrounding areas have been affected by the flooding.
"This makes it all the more important that we have been working closely with all our consultees, including the Environment Agency, to bring forward a plan for the area which provides the homes, open spaces and infrastructure that Oxford needs while addressing the more frequent climate events such as this.
“Our plans significantly increase flood plain water storage capacity for the whole area while enhancing river corridors to improve water flow, creating additional habitat and opportunities for wildlife to flourish in the process.
“Overall, our proposals will address flooding, as well as reducing the flooding risk for existing homes on nearby roads, through the delivery of an exemplary surface water drainage scheme.”
Planning officers explained their decision to recommend approval, despite the flood risk concerns.
They said: “As raised by the Environment Agency, concern exists over the capacity of the Oxford Sewage Treatment Works which discharges into the Northfield Brook, and this is linked to the water course failing to achieve a ‘Good’ Water Framework Directive status.
“The Environment Agency recommend the refusal of the application until necessary upgrades have taken place to the sewage treatment works.
"However, as opposed to refusing permission for the proposed development, the matter can effectively be dealt with way of condition that would prevent occupation of the development until the upgrade works have been implemented or a development and infrastructure phasing plan has been agreed with the local planning authority in consultation with Thames Water.”
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