Developers “taking advantage of wild west planning rules” as Hooky houses agreed
05/12/2025
“It’s not needed, it’s about making money”
An outline planning application to build up to 50 houses off the Sibford Road in Hook Norton has been approved, despite an initial call for the application to be refused.
Ashberry Strategic Land applied to develop the site, north of Bourne Lane. 35 percent of the homes would be designated as affordable, although councillors at last night’s planning committee meeting questioned if they would realistically be affordable for villagers.
Officers recommended accepting the application as Cherwell can’t currently demonstrate enough housing is being built in the district, but a clearly frustrated local ward Councillor David Rogers (Conservative) proposed going against the recommendation.
He noted the high volume of housing Hook Norton had already been required to accommodate and the negative effects of this latest application, including the potential of flooding for houses lower in the village.
Councillor Rogers said: “Hook Norton has taken far more houses than any housing needs assessment would ever have considered. This developer is taking advantage of the government’s ‘wild west’ planning process to go for a maximum profit development on the edge of a beautiful village.
“It’s not needed, it’s about making money.”
However, only six Councillors supported the motion, with seven other’s voting against.
Kidlington West Councillor Jean Conway (Liberal Democrat) subsequently proposed following the officer’s recommendation and passing the application, which was agreed in a vote.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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