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Surgery proposal tilts the balance as Cropredy plan for 60 homes approved
22/03/2024
Councillors feared the loss of the existing surgery if they didn’t approve the plans
An outline planning application for a new health centre and 60 houses on a greenfield site in Cropredy has been approved by Councillors on Cherwell District Council’s Planning Committee.
Obsidian Strategic Asset Management applied to build on farm land just off the Claydon Road between the existing northern boundary of the village and the marina.
The application received 179 letters of objection and just 5 letters of support. Cropredy Parish Council objected to the proposals following a survey which showed that 85 percent of respondents were opposed to the development. However, they asked that if the application was approved Cherwell obtained “the maximum benefits for the village”.
At the meeting Dr Tom Holyoake from Cropredy surgery spoke in support of the application, telling councillors their existing building was no longer suitable. He added that funding was not available to help them resolve the issues on their current site.
As part of the planning agreement Brasenose College would give the land for the surgery and the developer build the surgery at no cost to the NHS.
The three ward councillors for Cropredy sit on the planning committee.
Councillor Phil Chapman said this was one of the hardest decisions he had been asked to make, but recommended approving the application because rejecting it could lead to the loss of a surgery in the village.
“The choice before us is the choice on the table, and the choice today is – as I see it – sixty houses, or no surgery that I realistically see for the North villages.”
Councillor Chapman’s proposal was seconded by fellow ward Councillor Douglas Webb, who stressed the importance of ensuring the surgery was actually delivered.
But Independent Councillor John Broad felt the decision should be based on the suitability of where the building was being proposed.
He described the application as ribbon development and told the meeting: “I think it’s going to affect the Marina, the conservation areas, the canal and the road.
“So to me the balance is the National Health Service. However it’s financed and run [it] needs to sort its own house in order and not require us to build houses to help them get their house in order.”
In a vote the application was passed with ten for, six against and two abstentions.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam