A huge development of 300 homes near Oxford has been given the green light despite fears over flooding. 

Hallam Land Management submitted an outline application for the homes, open space and new access at the former piggery and land north of Woodstock Road, Yarnton. 

Cherwell District Council's planning committee permitted the scheme on Thursday, October 3 with nine votes for and four abstentions. 

Planning officer Andrew Thompson told the committee that the development would have 50 per cent affordable housing and the site is in flood zone one, which has a low risk of flooding. 

Mr Thompson read out a comment from the Yarnton Flood Defence Group. It said: “The Yarnton Flood Defence Group welcomes the proposal not to connect a 300-home development to the existing sewage system in Yarnton. 

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Site plan (Image: Cherwell District Council) “Yarnton has been through a terrible time with flooding recently. Around 30 homes were flooded internally. Flooding in Yarnton has become annual occurrence for some. It's crucial that the proposed planning conditions are rigorously enforced.”

Before the meeting, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran raised some concerns. She said: “I am concerned that the development will not be supported by sufficient GP surgery places. I support what BOBS/ICB are saying as our health services are under pressure. Without sufficient GP surgeries, more stress will be placed on the John Radcliffe Hospital.

“I am conscious that the Kidlington and Yarnton areas have had a good deal of development and that residents are feeling the effects of this. Such development must ensure that there are services such as GP surgeries, additional school places and adequate roads in place before occupation. I ask the committee to look very carefully at this application.”

Yarnton Parish Council also objected.

Maddi Simpson addressed the committee on behalf of the applicant. She said: “We are immensely proud of this application. It's the result of numerous years of work. The masterplan is landscape-led. There are significant areas of open space.”

Ms Simpson added that the two outstanding objections, from the Environment Agency and Network Rail, would be addressed. 

John Broad, ward councillor for Bicester West, thought that the application had been brought before the committee too early. 

In the planning officers' report, it said: “There are significant benefits arising from the delivery of affordable housing, new usable green spaces and facilities to support day to day living and reduce the need to travel further. 

“The objections, comments and concerns raised have all be carefully considered but in considering the development as a whole it is clear that the delivery of this allocation should be supported in the view of officers subject to the resolution of matters with the Environment Agency and Network Rail.”