A plan to build 99 new homes in an Oxfordshire village near Bicester has been refused after a politician said the proposal made him feel "very worried".
Cherwell district councillors put a stop to developer Richborough's scheme in a meeting on Thursday where almost everyone voted against the ploy to construct the houses on land west of Fringford Road in Caversfield.
This was in line with council officers' recommendations that the application should be refused due to the "significance and importance of the field in maintaining the setting of the landscape, the separate identity of Caversfield and planned growth".
READ MORE: Decision made on plan to build 114 more homes in Banbury
Officers also said the council could already demonstrate an "appropriate housing land supply".
Councillor for the Bicester North and Caversfield ward, John Willett, said: "I get very worried about new housing in Bicester when there is no cemetery to bury anybody who dies at the moment at least for another 10 years.
"The lack of dentists and medical things in Bicester is in very short supply - so I get very worried."
Three public speakers also gave their view at the start of the meeting with one claiming opposition was "unanimous and strong".
Another said they were concerned about the proposal comprising an "isolated development" and that this would result in a "lack of integration" with the rest of the village.
An applicant paper says the site spans approximately seven hectares of land with a topography that is "relatively flat".
It adds: "The close proximity of the site to the Bicester North West Eco Town development means that as that strategic development is built out, the proposed site at Caversfield will benefit from access to further local facilities constructed as part of the development.
"Planning permission is sought to develop the site for residential use. This will see the delivery of up to 99 new dwellings on the site within an expansive landscaped setting. At least 35 per cent of the new homes will be affordable.
"The proposed development represents a carefully considered opportunity to contribute towards the market and affordable housing requirements of the area."
Conservative councillor Ian Harwood touched on concerns around flooding in the area.
He said: "My view I suppose is concreting things over will actually exacerbate the situation."
The motion to refuse the application was seconded by Labour councillor Amanda Watkins who said she agreed with officers' recommendations.
Almost all councillors voted in favour of refusal which prompted meeting chairman Barry Wood to say "even I can figure out that's carried".
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About the author
Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county.
She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.
Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi
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