HALF of Oxfordshire’s countryside is at greater risk of development because of controversial reforms, a campaign group has said.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) claims 52 per cent of land would get less protection under new rules.

This rises to 55 per cent in West Oxfordshire and 87 per cent in Banbury, CPRE research claims.

These are areas which councils do not have a specific policy on whether areas can be developed.

The CPRE argues these “undesignated” places will be more vulnerable under the Government’s controversial national planning policy framework (NPPF) which proposes changing planning rules so there is a presumption in favour of “sustainable development”.

But CPRE head of planning Fiona Howie said: “Ministers have provided no reassurance that the final NPPF will recognise the value of the wider, undesignated countryside that makes up more than half of England’s rural landscape.

“If we are to avoid damaging the character of rural areas by making it easier for inappropriate, speculative building to take place – a bungalow here, a distribution shed there – decision-makers must be encouraged to take account of the intrinsic value of the wider countryside when considering development proposals.”

But Communities and Local Government department spokesman Sian Williams said: “We are determined to deliver a simpler planning system which makes absolutely clear the Government’s intention to provide the homes and jobs that the next generation needs while protecting our priceless countryside.”