The decision to refuse the multi-million pound HIF1 road scheme has been called in for review by the government. 

Oxfordshire County Council's planning committee voted against the £269 million HIF1 Didcot relief road last Tuesday (July 18). 

This was despite recommendations from planning officers that it should be approved.

READ MORE: HIF1 road scheme rejected by Oxfordshire County Council

Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has now called in this decision.

This means there will be a review by the government-appointed planning inspectorate and the Secretary of State will take the final decision about whether to approve the application.   

Councillor Duncan Enright, cabinet member for travel and development strategy at the county council, said: “As a council, we are committed to the Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure scheme.

"We are taking stock of the planning committee’s comments and reasons before considering our own next steps.

“The scheme is designed to provide more sustainable travel options in and around Didcot, as well as reducing a legacy of congestion in the surrounding villages and improving air quality and noise levels.

"It would provide vital transport infrastructure to enable more reliable journey times, improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity, and support allocated housing and employment sites."

Didcot MP David Johnston criticised the decision to refuse the scheme this week.

He described it as an "odd" call by the county council due to the "impact on the environment" and the funds set aside for the scheme.