Bicester: Plans for 55 new homes refused by council

An outline planning application for the houses in Ambrosden was voted down by Cherwell District Council’s planning committee on Thursday, July 13.

The plans by developer L&Q Estates would build on area of land adjacent to Blackthorn Road and 800m east of the village centre.

READ MORE: Plans for 90 new homes in Oxfordshire village refused

Dawn Seaward, chairwoman of the village’s parish council, spoke against the plans at the meeting.

She said: “Ambrosden is creaking. It is such a fine balance as to what defines what is needed and wanted, and what is going to fill our village.

“The village of Ambrosden is full.”

She added: “The sprawl of the village is getting out of hand. If this development is approved, there will be one field and a road between Ambrosden and Blackthorn.

“Ambrosden is a village in its own right, with a settlement back to Roman times.”

Earlier in the meeting, the chairwoman had spoken against a separate application for 120 homes in Ambrosden, which was also refused.

READ MORE: Plans for 80 houses refused in Oxfordshire village

She asked the committee: “Why so much in Ambrosden?"

Stuart Field, associate planning director at L&Q Estates, spoke in favour of the plans.

“The planning application before you presents an opportunity to enhance a sustainable community and district,” he said.

Ambrosden is “very well served by a number of services and facilities”, he added, and "has a strong geographical connection to Bicester which villagers can access on foot, bicycle, and public transport".

He pledged that 11 per cent of the homes would be bungalows, a need that had been identified in the village, and contributions of around £835,000 would be made to the community through Section 106 contributions.

READ MORE: Residents fear 'monster' development near Oxfordshire town

Mr Field said there had been “extensive collaboration” with officers and the council on the plans.

In her report, case officer Natasha McCann had recommended that the plans were approved.

“It is considered that the identified harm to the open countryside and locality is outweighed by the benefits of the scheme, and it is recommended that planning permission is granted,” she said.

But councillor John Broad, who sits on the planning committee, disagreed.

He said: “We’ve got a village that has not got any facilities. It is almost like a dormitory village. That’s one of the things we don’t want to expand any further.

“It’s just going to end up as a suburb of Bicester if we carry on.

“We’ve got to some time draw the line. Say ‘yes’ to affordable homes and bungalows… but not here.”

Nine councillors voted to refuse the plans, while three voted against and three abstained.