Fresh plans have been submitted towards building 75 new homes in an Oxfordshire village which is said to be "swamped" and "overdeveloped".

Applicant Mulberry Homes would like to introduce the houses on land north of Blackthorn Road in Ambrosden near Bicester.

The developer has already secured planning permission for the development but has now submitted a reserved matters application including details of design.

READ MORE: Village near Bicester will get 55 new homes despite concern

It comes as Independent councillor for Bicester West, John Broad, said in a previous Cherwell planning meeting that the "whole area (village) is just becoming totally swamped with housing where the infrastructure is not keeping up".

John Broad.John Broad. (Image: Cherwell District Council.)

Despite this, the new homes referred to by Mr Broad for land west of Church Ley Field adjacent to Blackthorn Road in Ambrosden were approved at the meeting on June 10.

Now, an applicant planning paper for a fresh proposal for the village says it demonstrates "the delivery of 75 homes in a time of pressing need for the district as well as an increase in the choice and type of homes".

It adds: "A total of 35 per cent of the new homes are affordable.

"This means that 27 homes will be made affordable to residents within the Cherwell District Council area, including the provision of eight first homes for first-time buyers.

Ambrosden.Ambrosden. (Image: Google Maps.)

"This reserved matters application has evolved through considerable technical, policy and third-party review.

"This application has a unique, strong and positive set of characteristics, namely that the details shown replicate in all but the access arrangements that have outline approval."

Public comments are yet to be received on the application but householders in the area have been contacted and responses are due by August 30.

The application has a target decision date of October 23.

Planned site layout.Planned site layout. (Image: Cherwell District Council.)

A design illustration for the plan indicates a main road running through the centre of the site as opposed to along the edge of community woodland.

The number of visitor parking spaces has been increased from previous plans to one space for every five homes. 

Speaking of the proposed houses, Mulberry Homes said: "The scheme aims to deliver houses of a traditional architectural design and materials palette in keeping with the character of Ambrosden.

Planned development.Planned development. (Image: Cherwell District Council.)

"The scheme will be designed cohesively in terms of architectural features and urban built form.

"50 per cent of dwellings on the site will be use natural stone as a facing material (to all four elevations).

"All other dwellings and garages will utilise a red multi-stock brick. All roof tiles are to be grey.

"The 50 per cent of types with stone facing material will have natural slate roof tiles."



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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