Objections have been flooding in over plans for a four-pitch Traveller caravan site and a stable building in the Oxfordshire countryside. 

Murdoch Planning previously had its proposal rejected in Fringford near Bicester, but has submitted a new scheme. 

By Thursday, September 26, it had received 70 public objections, with the main reason being traffic safety. 

Planning permission was previously refused by Cherwell District Council on the basis of three reasons related to the "effect on open countryside", concern it would "significantly compromise highway safety" and "harm to protected species of their habitat".

But the applicant has said "it is clear that the reasons for refusing the previous planning application can been resolved by the imposition of suitable conditions".

The developer added: "I attach significant weight to the unmet need for gypsy and Traveller sites. The grant of permission in this case would provide some limited assistance in meeting that need.

READ MORE: Oxford College defends plans for 1,000 homes after flooding

"It is not accepted that the council has an up-to-date five year supply of deliverable Traveller sites."

Objections for the new scheme have also been submitted by Fringford, Hethe and Stratton Audley parish councils. 

Proposed site plan (Image: Cherwell District Council.) Sarah Rowe, of Bicester Road, said: “The increase in traffic in the last 10 years means the A4221 has become a busier and more dangerous road.

"All three turnings off the road to Stratton Audley are already awkward and a turning on the opposite side of the road, so close to the crossroad junction to Stoke Lyne would mean there could be three lots of cars turning on or off the A4221 within a very short section.

"At the speed people travel on this road, accidents are going to happen.”

Richard Bond, of Cherry Street, added: “The proposed development, including its overall scale and appearance, would have an urbanising effect on the open countryside, and would result in significant harm to the rural character and appearance of the area.

“The site itself floods regularly and there seem to be no mitigating plans or evidence to overcome this issue. There is a long and detailed history, which is well documented, of this site and the surrounding fields flooding on a regular basis."

John Reader, of Rectory Lane, said: “Fringford is not a sustainable location for such a site. We do not have a shop or any medical facilities whatsoever, the nearest facilities are in Bicester, three miles away, and the only way to get there is by private car.

“There is no mains water, electricity, or drainage available on the site, and all these services are currently located a considerable distance away. 

“This is not a brownfield site, it is agricultural land and as such it should remain so.”