RESIDENTS protesting against plans to build 140 homes in Sutton Courtenay have been told the scheme is likely to be granted planning permission.

Plans have been lodged to build a mix of homes ranging from two to five bedrooms at land between Appleford Road and Millennium Common.

Residents claim extra traffic generated by the development would cause havoc and the sewers would not be able to cope with all the extra people.

But Sutton Courtenay Parish Council says it 9s likely the proposal will go ahead as it is on a brownfield site.

The land is owned by Amey Construction, which moved its headquarters from Appleford Road to Oxford but still uses the site.

Last night, residents and parish councillors condemned the plans and claimed they had not been thought through by the developer, The Granite Partnership.

Cornelia Lyall, of Appleford Road, said: “The stupidity of this proposal is amazing. It will bring something like 200 cars to an area that already has too many, and cause absolute gridlock.

“Also the bus services here are really bad and will not be enough to cope with such a huge influx of people.

“Heaven knows what was going though their minds when they dreamed this up.

“I will be objecting to it and I know a lot more people will too.”

A resident of Church Street, who asked not to be named, added: “We already live next to a power station, have the threat of an incinerator being built hanging over our heads and now this.

“We do not welcome this development and it will of course have an effect on the price of property around here as well as the sewage system, which was built to deal with a fraction of this. This is an extremely unique village with a lot of history and we don’t want that to be ruined.”

Plans submitted by the developers to the Vale of White Horse District Council said a surface water drainage system would ensure the nearby Thames flood plain would not affect the development.

Three children’s play areas would also be provided as part of the scheme.

Sutton Courtenay Parish Council discussed the proposal earlier this month and decided to remain neutral.

Chairman Michael Jenkins said: “In theory we do not welcome the development but in reality we know it will be very difficult to oppose as it is on a brown field site.

“We’ve worked alongside the developer to make improvements to the proposals in order to give the parish the best case scenario.”

The proposal is due to be decided by the district council in January.

A representative of The Granite Partnership declined to comment.