CAMPAIGNERS have criticised a developer’s “propaganda” brochure distributed before a decision on the location of hundreds of new homes in Wallingford.

Berkeley Homes distributed the eight-page brochure in last week’s Wallingford Herald, promoting the company’s plans for 380 homes off Reading Road, Winterbrook.

South Oxfordshire District Council is set to choose between that and a 480-home plan for Slade End Farm, south of Wantage Road, at a meeting on November 18.

Critics accused the firm of unfairly trying to influence the democratic process — but Berkeley said it wanted to clear up ‘misunderstandings’.

It featured 15 questions and answers on the plan including concerns over school places, traffic congestion and integration with the rest of the town.

It added: “This scheme will result in several millions of pounds being paid to the local authorities for them to spend on local facilities and infrastructure.”

Yet, Cathie Scotting, major applications officer at SODC, said: “If this development were to go ahead, there would be a legal agreement to secure contributions towards services and facilities. However, it is too early to say how much we’d be seeking and exactly what this would be for.”

Berkeley spokesman Sam Williams said: “At the numerous public exhibitions we have held to date it was clear that among some local residents there was a misunderstanding of what has been proposed and why.

“Our leaflet sought to deal with these misunderstandings.”

David Walters, of campaign group Save Winterbrook, said the timing was a blatant attempt to influence people.

The Winterbrook Lane resident said: “The developers are trying to unduly influence this democratic process that our councillors are taking.

“They should be allowed to make a decision and not be badgered by very expensive brochures from developers.”

Fellow campaigner Neil Kelly, 74, also of Winterbrook Lane, said: “I think this is propaganda.

“The developer is endeavouring to influence what should be a thought-over decision by the authority as to where the expansion of Wallingford should be.

“They have an investment, which is speculative, and they are desperate to save it.”

Angie Paterson, SODC’s cabinet member for planning, said: “The council’s decision on the preferred housing location in Wallingford will be based on the evidence we have gathered over the past three years in support of the most suitable and sustainable location for housing.”

Berkeley refused to tell the Herald how much the leaflet cost to produce.

The firm submitted its application for outline planning permission in August.

Developer Wates has also submitted an application for 98 homes on adjoining land at Winterbrook.

Last month, residents opposed to the Slade End Farm development staged a demonstration outside Wallingford Town Hall.