TIME spent pursuing a controversial planning policy which was abandoned last week has left the Vale of White Horse vulnerable to developers, opponents have warned.

Vale of White Horse District Council hoped to formally relax planning rules to allow more village housing developments to catch up on its housing target.

Proposals put forward included 542 homes in Drayton, 293 in Kingston Bagpuize, 240 in Harwell, 310 in Steventon and 185 in Sutton Courtenay.

In Marcham, five sites were suggested for 229 homes.

But after developers identified sites for more than 5,000 homes the move was dropped because of a change in Government planning guidelines.

Opponents say the district is now vulnerable to developers winning schemes on appeal, because of the need for homes.

In March, the planning inspectorate overruled the council and approved a plan for 18 homes on land classed as part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty off Manor Road, Wantage.

The council had rejected the plans in September last year. The successful appeal by developer John O’Flynn cost the council £28,000.

Liberal Democrat opposition leader Richard Webber said: “If plans go through by appeal, costs could be awarded against the council which has a hefty financial implication. In my seven years in local government this is the most dangerous thing to happen in terms of public finance.”