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114 more houses north of Dukes Meadow Drive refused
01/08/2024
Last week’s Planning Inspector decision for nearby fields was clearly on councillor’s minds
Just days after the Planning Inspector overruled local decision makers and allowed houses to be built between Banbury and Hanwell, another application for another 114 dwellings north of Dukes Meadow Drive in Banbury looked set to be agreed today. But a number of councillors went against the officer’s recommendation and rejected the proposal.
Manor Oaks Homes already has permission to build 78 homes in the farm fields opposite Lapsley Drive, which at the time they described as “the first phase”. At a planning meeting this afternoon councillors were recommended to agree to a further 114 properties behind this, alongside the Dukes Meadow Drive sports pitches.
In August 2022 Manor Oak Homes contacted local residents with proposals for 175 houses on this land, but have now reduced this to 114 properties (36 of which would be affordable), with less of the area being built on. A covering letter with the application says: “These measures alone are considered by the applicant to have entirely alleviated any potential harm caused by the proposal resulting in a scheme that is now overwhelmingly beneficial in respect of the provision of additional much needed new homes adjacent to Banbury.”
Both Banbury Town Council and Hanwell Parish Council objected to the application.
Last week’s decision against the Council by the Planning Inspector was clearly on the minds of councillors when making their decision, knowing that losing an appeal could be costly.
Whilst the Council maintains it has the legal requirement of a 5-year housing land supply, the Inspector at last week’s appeal didn’t agree. Manor Oak Homes also ascertain the Council has a “severe deficiency in the district’s housing land supply”.
But a number of Councillors were unhappy that the site wasn’t part of the local plan and the relevant infrastructure wasn’t in place for even more houses in the area. Councillor Chris Brant proposed refusing the application. In a vote 10 agreed with Councillor Brant’s refusal, 4 disagreed and 1 abstained.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam