COMMUNITIES around Wallingford are split over where hundreds of new homes should be built in the area.

South Oxfordshire District Council has earmarked two sites for development before 2026 as part of its long-term plan for the district.

One option is south of the town, at Winterbrook, and the other is known as Slade Farm, to the north-west of Wallingford. Both sites are within the ring road.

But homeowners living near both sites claim each option is inappropriate for hundreds of homes.

Catherine Stone, of Wantage Road, Wallingford, said the homes would be better suited at Winterbrook.

The 57-year-old said: “This area is too far from the centre of Wallingford. From Winterbrook you can walk in to the town centre to use the shops, banks and doctors. The Wantage Road is already busy and there would be problems with traffic congestion.”

Father-of-three David Walters, a spokesman for action group Save Winterbrook, which represents people in places including the Winterbrook area, Brookmead Drive, Hurst Close and Sovereign Place, called for proper discussion of the two options. He said Winterbrook was not suitable for housing because it would alter the character of the area and it had been deemed unsuitable for housing by planning inspectors in the past. Ecological and environmental issues also meant it was not an appropriate site for housing and traffic in Reading Road would be increased.

According to the district council, both sites are close to facilities and would offer good links to the town centre.

Wallingford mayor Alec Hayton said the town council was not adverse to development on either site.

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