Appeal decision overturned with 55 more houses allowed in Bloxham
12/09/2025
The Inspector cited Cherwell not achieving the necessary Housing Land Supply figure
A Planning Appeal decision to refuse housing in a field on the edge of Bloxham has been overturned.
Gladman Developments wanted to build on the Tadmarton Road between the new housing opposite Bloxham Primary School and Park Farm.
Cherwell District Council refused a first application in 2023 so the developer appealed to the Planning Inspector. In rejecting that appeal the Inspector, T Burnham, said that the development would detract from the existing rural character and appearance of the area which he described as “pleasant countryside beyond the edge of Bloxham”.
Whilst the appeal was in progress Gladman submitted a second application for the land, which the council again refused. An appeal for this second application has now been accepted with the previous decision by the Planning Inspector quashed in court.
In making his decision the Inspector, John Longmuir, noted the initial appeal decision hadn’t correctly weighted Cherwell’s Housing Land Supply. This is the amount of housing which must be built in our area and a number which had increased under government targets, leaving Cherwell below the required threshold.
He also dismissed previous concerns over odours from the nearby farm and noise, noting the traffic noise could be mitigated by further extending the village’s 20mph limit.
The inspector felt the proposal would not exacerbate flood risk in the area and disagreed with the council’s rejection of the application for being too far – 800 metres – from local facilities. He noted the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation suggested an acceptable distance of 1km and a preferred maximum of 2km.
The latest ruling allows for 55 homes to be built on the land.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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Richard Farmer On 13/09/2025 at 5:54 pm
Is there any point objecting to any future plan for more development? What ever objections the village will put some inspector will find good reason to dismiss any well argued case. It makes any effort we make seem so futile. Land developers must be rubbing their hands with joy picking out their next set of plots for development.