Sibford Road housing in Hook Norton recommended for approval
28/11/2025
Failing to achieve house building targets leaves councillors little option with this decision
An outline planning application to build houses off the Sibford Road in Hook Norton looks set to be approved, as Cherwell District Council continues to feel the effects of not achieving government house building targets.
Ashberry Strategic Land want to develop the site, north of Bourne Lane, with up to 50 new homes. 35 percent of those would be designated as affordable. Their plans include new areas of public open space with a play area and tree and wildflower planting. They propose retaining an existing wildlife pond and recreational routes, enhanced with a “Trim-Trail”.
The site is bordered by new housing on Golding Road.
During the period of the current Local Plan the villages in the district are required to accept 750 new homes. Despite local opposition to this latest application, the report for next week’s planning committee meeting recommends permission be granted, noting that “while the total number of houses developed under Policy Villages 2 has exceeded 750, the numerical elements of the Council’s housing policies are out of date given the Council’s housing land supply position”.
Councillors will make the final decision at the meeting on Thursday afternoon.
Recently we reported that there are now 11,000 houses which have been granted planning permission in the Cherwell District which developers aren’t yet building, meaning they don’t count towards the council’s target.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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