PLANS for 300 new homes near Grove could go ahead despite opposition from parish councillors and residents.

Developer David Wilson Homes wants to build up to 300 new homes on land northeast of the village, creating a “20-minute neighbourhood that embraces the outdoors and local heritage” and has submitted an application to the Vale of White Horse District Council, the planning authority.

A design and access statement, prepared by Mosaic Urban Design on behalf of the developer, said: “The idea of the ‘20-Minute neighbourhood’ has grown with interest around the world, especially since the pandemic put a spotlight on the importance of the liveability of where we live.

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“The proposed development of up to 300 homes will be built over a number of years and using development parameters builds in flexibility to respond to changing circumstances.”

A park would also be created as part of the development, with paths and information boards telling the history of the area.

Grove parish council “strongly” objected to the application on the grounds of “unsustainability.”

It said: “The site is not allocated in the development plan for development and for planning policy purposes lies in open countryside outside the built-up area of a settlement.” 

More than 30 people submitted comments online about the planning application to the district council. 

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One of those people Jenny Barnett, who lives in the village, said: “Having lived here for seven months I have found the heavy amount of traffic using the A338 has led to poor air quality, and that the addition of a further 300 vehicles will not help the situation.”

Robert Dillon, who also lives in the village, said: “The location of this development will increase traffic to unsustainable levels since every resident will need to travel by car for every errand since the development is not anywhere near the town centre.

“Wantage and Grove have had a disproportionate amount of new housing added as compared to the rest of Oxfordshire and we cannot tolerate any more.”

Roy Haines, of Tulwick Farm, said: “The development will alter the character of the area along Grove Park Drive, currently farmland on all sides with only long-established houses and farms along the road.

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“The land is habitat for a variety of wildlife such as deer, badgers and foxes, and a multitude of birdlife, including owls and other birds of prey.”

Thames Water said the current water network could not accommodate the needs of the proposal, adding: “[We] request that no development shall be occupied until confirmation has been provided that either: all water network upgrades required to accommodate the additional demand to serve the development have been completed; or a development and infrastructure phasing plan has been agreed with Thames Water to allow development to be occupied.”

The district council is expected to make a decision by July 29.

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

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