OXFORDSHIRE County Council has objected to plans to build a multi-million-pound water park resort as it does not meet planning policy requirements.

American leisure giant Great Wolf Resorts wants to build its ‘European flagship’, Great Wolf Lodge, on 46 acres of land next to Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa in Chesterton near Bicester.

Hundreds of objection letters have flooded Cherwell District Council from residents who strongly oppose the project, and now Oxfordshire County Council has submitted its consultation response objecting on transport grounds, saying the proposed development is ‘not in a sustainable location in transport terms’.

Also read: Villagers say 'monstrous' water park resort is not wanted

The family-friendly resort would include an indoor water park with twisty slides, a 498-room four-storey hotel, adventure park, 559sq m conference centre, restaurants and public nature trail.

It would lie east of the M40 in the village and would sit on land that currently has nine of the hotel golf course's 18 holes.

An increase in traffic has always been residents’ main problem with the resort – which will have a 900-space car park – with fears that visitors travelling to the site will most likely drive through the village’s country roads.

Oxford Mail:

The county council has agreed with residents and its transport development control team has said ‘severe’ congestion at the Middleton Stoney junction nearby will be exacerbated by hundreds of additional cars.

It also notes that there is no public bus service that serves the site and it is ‘not conducive’ to walking or cycling, which goes against the National Planning Policy Framework, Cherwell Local Plan and Local Transport Plan policies.

Resident Audrey Luff, from Bicester, said in her objection letter: “These lovely old villages cannot cope with the extra volumes of traffic generated by the proposed development. Chesterton particularly is becoming a ‘rat-run’.

“The Government is urging us to reduce car travel and to protect the environment, to plant trees and save green field sites. This development goes against all these issues.”

Great Wolf Lodge said that it would use road signs to encourage drivers arriving and departing via the M40 (south) to travel along the A34 and B430 through Weston-on-the-Green rather than the A41 and A4095 through Chesterton but residents say drivers will follow routes directed by sat navs instead.

Also read: Chesterton residents says Great Wolf Lodge resort near Bicester will 'decimate' village

The council said a proposed shuttle bus to run every two hours was not frequent enough and so the resort has now said it will operate every hour between Bicester and the site, stopping in Chesterton.

If planning permission is granted however, it would have to contribute towards public transport to serve the site.

The county council also raised concerns around archaeology on the site and drainage.

Oxford Mail:

Despite overwhelming opposition, including from residents' action group 'Keep the Wolf from the Door', some people have expressed their support saying it will bring entertainment, employment and money into the town.

Damian Tarnowski, from Merton near Bicester, commented on the Bicester community Facebook page: “Looks like a great addition to Bicester. Definitely something our lovely town needs.”

Mark Skidmore, from Bicester, said: “Get it built. Expansion of the town, get fresh faces in, a breath of fresh air, something new and exciting could be happening. New jobs, new business.

“Yes, I'm sure there's going to be an increase in traffic, but as a human being I'd like to think we could make a plan and work around it. Give it a go, folks might like it.”

WATCH: What will Great Wolf Lodge look like?

Stefan McNally from Banbury said in a support letter: “I support the application because of the jobs it will create and because of the investment it will attract to the area.”

Great Wolf Lodge has announced that it will make 30 ‘Sustainable Day Passes’ available per day, in addition to those made available when the resort is not at capacity.

The tickets would have to be booked online and visits to the resort have to be made by the free, shuttle bus service.

Oxford Mail:

In total, this could provide 10,800 extra tickets per year, with discounts available to the local community, but would only be secured through a Section 106 legal agreement with the district council.

Great Wolf Resorts says it is taking part in ongoing discussions with Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council regarding contributions to new or enhanced cycle routes from the site through to Bicester, as well as delivering junction improvement works.

Also read: US resort could come to Bicester

Robert Moore, vice president of global construction at Great Wolf Resorts, said: “From the start, we have been deeply committed to providing the maximum benefit to the local community, and we are excited to share our ‘Sustainable Day Pass’ scheme as part of this offer.

“Indeed, through our charitable, environmental, educational and community efforts, we want this Great Wolf Lodge to not only be our first resort in the UK and Europe, but a resort that locals are proud to have in their community.”

Cherwell is yet to confirm a date the application will go to the planning committee where a decision will be made.