A decision on controversial plans for 45 new homes on land that is prone to flooding has been delayed.
Plans for 45 homes on land at Ashfields Lane and A338 in East Hanney near Wantage were submitted by Pye Homes in February 2021, following two previous applications to build houses in the area.
The applicant previously submitted an application to build 50 homes but reduced that number to 45.
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East Hanney Parish Council has objected to the plans and has noted flood risks, dangerous roads, noise, and sustainability as just some of the reasons for the plans to be refused.
In its objection the parish council said: “The extent of flood is significant affecting most of the site, and professional independent specialists have identified that the whole site is at risk of flooding. Typically, significant parts of the site are underwater for between three and four months a year.”
Many villagers also objected to the plans on the application. Clair Howarth of Ashfield Lane said: “We have already had hundreds of new houses added to this village over the last few years, with more still in the process of being completed.
“The increase in traffic, damaged roads, noise and mud has already been felt for many years and the prospect of it continuing beyond the current new development is heart-breaking and incredibly stressful.”
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Villager Violeta Ribarska also objected and said: “While I understand the need to provide further housing within Oxfordshire, East Hanney has already met the requirements previously agreed to in terms of numbers of homes added.
“This specific area of the village is also entirely unsuitable for such a development. Most importantly, the development pauses significant flooding and safety risks, as well as being poorly designed and ill considered.”
However, the Vale of White Horse District Council removed the planning application from the agenda of a planning meeting on April 20, after Mathew Barber resigned from his post as district councillor for the Hanney’s and Steventon ward without any warning.
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Liberal Democrat councillor, Bethia Thomas explained: “Usually, people work up until an election, but he quit with immediate effect so left the residents there high and dry without any political representation.”
She added: “It was decided it was much better for all the residents to get a true representation of what their views would be and to postpone it until after the election.”
Councillors and villagers will now have to wait until after the election on May 5 when the vacant seat is filled before a decision on the development is made.
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