Plans for 60 new homes near Banbury village submitted

Obsidian Strategic in partnership with Brasenose College (Oxford) have submitted plans to build 60 new homes near the village of Cropredy. 

The plans include a community facility and with public open space and associated works at land east of Claydon Road,
Cropredy.

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A planning statement says following a meeting with Cropredy Surgery a community building is included in the proposal.

"This will allow the surgery to replace their existing cramped facilities with a purpose built, modern medical centre with ample car parking."

However, Catriona Reid of Cropredy Surgery has objected to the proposals, saying the surgery "would like to express our surprise regarding the content of this application".

"While there has been a single meeting between ourselves and Obsidian, any discussions regarding the provision of a new surgery could at best be described as preliminary," she commented.

"No approach has been made by either party to the ICB (Integrated Care Board) who would be in a position to authorise such a move."

She added: "The meeting came about as Cropredy surgery highlighted to Obsidian that we have no capacity to absorb a further influx of patients as we are currently operating at the full capacity of our current premises and this would need to be considered when assessing this and other applications in the local area."

The plans would see 21 affordable homes plus a number of live/work dwellings which would meet the local housing need of young families and first time buyers, as well as the elderly and those downsizing and could be delivered within five years.

According to a planning application submitted to Cherwell District Council, the public open space would include two play areas with equipment for young children, and there would be a new access off Claydon Road.

A main tree lined street will "provide character and contribute to the site’s overall biodiversity" while a wildflower meadow will have a 10metre buffer to the Oxford Canal to protect waterside habitats.

The plans have received three objections with one neighbour believing it will 'ruin' the village.

"Cropredy cannot support two major housing developments," she said.

"Whilst I understand the need for new homes, villages are being ruined by mass development.

"This development will have a huge impact on our beautiful canal and waterways. These fields support homes many birds and they need protection."

Another objector called the statement that the land to the north of Cropredy is contaminated "incorrect" and suggested the applicant may be "trying to devalue the land in the eyes of the planning authority and the community".

He added that distances to village amenities from the development "seem to be ‘as the crow flies’ rather than the actual distance an individual would need to walk" and "the depiction of the bus routes through the village in the planning statement is wildly untrue and in direct contradiction with their own transport report".

"The lack of a scheduled bus service through Cropredy necessitates that most of the current population living in the village have at least one car. Many have two or three.

"This proposal will add 60 – 120 more cars to this area and increase the vehicle congestion in the village and local area," he said.

He added that as there is no footpath from the housing until you reach Claydon Road "this will also create a closed private community not integrated into the village of Cropredy at all."