Resubmitted Milcombe plan can be delivered quickly to address shortfalls

The applicant says they have addressed previous concerns

A revised planning application has been submitted for a green field site in Milcombe which was refused permission last year.   The number of homes proposed for the farm field on the southern side of the Bloxham Road, backing onto Portland Road, has been reduced from 90 to 50.

This is the first larger development application to have been received since Cherwell’s Executive accepted the council no longer has enough houses being built to comply with the government’s new 5-year forward supply.   The Planning Committee will have little option but to accept developments unless they can be shown to be unsustainable.

The revised application has been lodged by members of the Smith family, working with Neptune Land Promotion Ltd.

Of the 50 homes proposed 18 would be classed as affordable, but no details are provided of the number of bedrooms properties across the site would have.

The applicants says the revised plans address previous concerns by reducing the number of dwellings and by retaining some of the site as agricultural land.   The offer of land for a new village hall and retail or commercial space has also been removed with the applicants saying: “Milcombe Parish Council have confirmed these community benefits are not required by the village.”

A pumping station to deal with foul water has been deemed necessary and included in the plans.

The applicant notes the location is “a windfall site that can be delivered quickly to contribute to [Cherwell District Council’s 5-year housing land supply] shortfall”.

The public have until March 6 to comment on the application.

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Published: 05/02/2025 02:53pm by Banbury FM Newsteam

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