Oxfordshire villagers raise concerns on plans for 80 new homes

Spitfire Homes propose to build the properties in the village of Freeland on the Chapel Meadow site which is currently open countryside.

The development will also include a community shop and an allotment patch.

One concerned commenter, Jane Tomlinson, wrote on West Oxfordshire District Council’s public planning portal: “Freeland's population is 1,500.

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“A new estate of 80 houses plonked in a field would increase the size of the village by 10 plus per cent. 

 “It's too big, entirely inappropriate and has numerous knock-on effects.

“Freeland Village School is already at capacity and would require enlarged class sizes and more classrooms to accommodate children from the development.

A visualisation by Spitfire Homes of the proposed site in Freeland (Image: Spitfire Homes via West Oxfordshire District Council planning portal)

“How will they do that?”

Another resident, Elaine Hardy, added on the public planning portal: “This development would have a significant negative impact on the village of Freeland.

“Another 80 houses equates to potentially an additional 100 - 160 cars and stating that people will choose to cycle or walk, or only need to shop at the shop they will build as part of their plan, is ridiculous.

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“They have allocated only 12 parking spaces in front of the shop in their plans, which includes three electric car spaces and no disabled spaces.

“So if the shop is going to be so good, people will be forced to park along the Wroslyn Road.”

Residents are particularly concerned about the impact the development will have on wildlife in the area in question.

Robert Crocker wrote on the public portal: “It [Chapel Meadow] is currently home to a wide range of insects, mammals, birds and invertebrates.

“The disturbance that development brings, and its unforeseen negative effects on a healthy eco system, should be resisted and the importance of this wildlife corridor acknowledged and protected.

“I strongly urge the planning department to reject this planning application on ecological grounds.”

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On the topic of wildlife, Tim Clark added: “Chapel Meadow is a wildlife haven and part of a wildlife corridor from Blenheim land in the east, to Eynsham Hall Park in the west.

“Wildlife corridors are an important but often disregarded part of ecosystems.

“Conservation isn't about replacing existing species with others to achieve good biodiversity figures.

“It's about preserving what's there, nurturing it and adding to it. And it's not just about biodiversity - it's also about biomass.”

The planning application was submitted on February 2 and is currently under consideration by West Oxfordshire District Council.

The developer Spitfire Homes has been contacted for comment.