A DEVELOPER is still pushing for 900 homes south of Banbury amid a row over rural developments around the town.

Barwood Developments Limited is urging Cherwell District Council (CDC) to back 895 homes either side of the Bloxham Road south of Banbury.

The firm has already submitted formal plans for 145 homes at part of the site south of Salt Way.

It is now calling on the council to include the 895 homes as part of work to decide where more than 13,000 district homes should go by 2031.

The latest list of sites will be released next week and will be subject to public consultation.

Council bosses hope that by backing sites, councillors will have stronger reasons for refusing inappropriate estate plans.

Sites backed by council leaders in May include 1,050 south of the train station, 400 west of Bretch Hill and 400 north of Hanwell Fields.

Barwood land and operations executive Sam Dorrian said: “Land to the south of Banbury offers the most logical and sustainable location to accommodate the future growth of Banbury.”

The “sustainable urban extension to the town” could include a country park, neighbourhood centre and primary school, he said.

Barwood has appealed to the independent Planning Inspectorate to make a decision on the 145 homes as CDC has yet to make a ruling.

But Mr Dorian said: “There is currently no intention for Barwood to submit any further applications on this land.”