A DEVELOPER has lodged an appeal after controversial plans to build 176 new homes on 16th century woodland were turned down leaving the district council ‘disappointed’.
Plans to build 176 homes and a country park on Land at Ladygrove Didcot were rejected in October last year on the grounds that the development was not needed because of the neighbouring expansion of Ladygrove with 1,800 new homes, schools, shops and other facilities over the next decade.
Since the original rejection Manor Oak Homes developer has revealed amended plans for 150 homes in the hope this will help reduce any impact on trees and the adjacent landscape and countryside.
Planning inspector Philip Major, has allowed an appeal for the construction of 150 new homes, 60 of which will be affordable along with open spaces and a country park.
He has explained that although he understands there are concerns that housing growth needs to be managed more housing is also needed.
In the Appeal Decision document Mr Major said: “The lack of a demonstrable five year supply of deliverable housing land is a significant situation. It does not mean that housing could, or should, be provided anywhere, but it does mean that suitable sites should be given proper consideration. It is my judgement that in order to enhance delivery of much needed housing this site is acceptable and would not cause unacceptable harm to the objectives of the development plan or the delivery of the wider Didcot Garden Town.”
The District council said it objected to the original plans because the site is not allocated for housing development and the council considered that it would have a harmful impact on the local area. Now the council is taking legal advice.
South Oxfordshire District Council said: “We are obviously disappointed with this decision and are currently taking legal advice to consider our options.”
Parishioners were relieved last year when South Oxfordshire District Council ruled that the project for the site would threaten the health and longevity of a large number of trees and result in the generation of more traffic through a sensitive part of the highway.
At the time parish council chairman Gordon Rogers said that refusal of the development is a ‘big relief’.
In the ruling, the district council’s head of planning Adrian Duffield highlighted that the development was not in keeping with the Local Plan for the area and argued that it would place extra pressure on Culham and Clifton Hampden bridges.
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