Councillors decide Grimsbury site is not suitable for commercial development
14/04/2025
Officers had recommended approving the Higham Way plans
An application to build commercial units on land which had been allocated for new housing in Grimsbury has been refused.
But the decision may be questioned by the land owners as the emerging Local Plan for the Cherwell District was set to change the site from residential to commercial.
The applicant, E5 Commercial, wanted to construct ten commercial units and car parking on land off Higham Way, alongside the Grundon Waste Management site.
In 2016 an outline application to build 200 homes on the site was submitted, but subsequently withdrawn. Since then it has remained unused.
Existing housing lies to the east and north of the development on Marshall Road and Verney Road.
Planning officers had recommended the proposal be accepted, but at last Thursday’s Planning Committee meeting councillors were concerned about the impact the development would have on local residents, including the potential extra noise at unsociable hours.
Local resident Wendy Parga told the committee: “This is a residential area and not a commercial site and I would urge the applicants to explore alternative locations away from residential areas. There are many other commercial sites on the outskirts of town…
“The impact this proposed development will have on my peaceful community will be enormous and will completely destroy the quiet enjoyment of my property. I will have no option but to sell my home because it will be absolutely intolerable to live there if this proposed development goes ahead.”
The Committee voted in favour of refusing planning permission, with 8 for, 4 against and 3 abstaining.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
