A major development of 44 homes in the Oxfordshire countryside has been given the green light despite dozens of objections. 

The scheme, submitted by McAdden Homes, is in Springhill Road, Goring, and was permitted by South Oxfordshire District Council's planning committee. 

The development includes the demolition of 43 Springhill Road. The addition of vehicle and pedestrian access, play area, public open space and associated landscaping were also included in the plans. 

The proposal was first submitted in June 2020, with delays caused by the pandemic and various technical issues. The site was initially earmarked for 52 homes which was then reduced to 49.

The scheme's third iteration is the permitted one for 44, submitted in February last year. 

District council planners permitted it at a meeting on Wednesday, September 11 despite 60 objections from locals.  

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Site plan (Image: SODC) David and Trudi Mullock, of Springhill Road, said: “The number of properties in this current iteration of the proposals would result in overdevelopment of the area available with a significant negative impact on the views and line of sight in an AONB.

“Concerned about increase in traffic flow along Springhill Road, which is already equivalent of one way traffic given the need for parking along one side of the road.

"Developers and planners must provide a guarantee that Springhill Road will not be used for site traffic at any point during development.

“The current version of the plans would indicate a very small amount of standoff between the properties along the north side of Springhill Road, in particular the part of Springhill road which meets Icknield Road, and the new development.”

Rodney Charles Hill, of Wallingford Road, said: “As the despoliation of Wallingford and Goring continues apace, with massive new housing estates, could you kindly inform me where the multi-storey car parks are to be constructed in the centre of these two former villages?”

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The planning officers recommended the scheme for permission and members of the committee agreed. 

The officer's report said: “In terms of the planning balance, due to the site being allocated in the Neighbourhood Plan, a level of landscape harm has already been accepted. 

“Whilst the landscape harm of the development would be significant, I consider the harm over-and-above that already anticipated through the Neighbourhood Plan to be limited.

"I consider the harm caused to those with mobility issues wishing to access the site by means other than the private car to be moderate.

“On balance, I consider the benefits of the proposed development outweigh the harm.

"The proposed development is in compliance with the development plan as a whole and therefore I advise that planning permission is granted.”