A major new community near Oxford has been approved, despite objections over flooding from the Environment Agency. 

Developers Oxford University College Christ Church and its partner Dorchester Residential Management have got the green light to build 1,450 new homes at Bayswater Brook to the north of Barton.

The proposal includes 120 units of assisted living, new community use buildings, business and health buildings, a new primary school, open space, allotments, habitats, recreation facilities and public park areas. 

South Oxfordshire District Council's planning committee discussed the scheme for two and a half hours on Wednesday, October 9. It was permitted with five votes for and two against. 

It comes after the council previously refused the application in April this year.

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Bayswater Brook flooding (Image: Contributed) Various campaign groups including Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) have opposed the development. 

Ginette Camps-Walsh, chairman of Beckley and Stowood Parish Council, said: “A total of 20 per cent of our parishioners live within this site and will be surrounded by it, so we're very worried about it. 

“There is going to be demonstrable damage to the very important Sydlings Copse SSSI. The increase in housing numbers is the real problem here. It will really damage the site.”

Gavin Angell, development director for Dorchester Residential Management, said: “This scheme will deliver a total of 785 affordable homes.

"To put that in context, the whole of Oxford delivered 784 affordable homes between 2010 and 2021. These are vital for residents who would be otherwise priced out of the market. 

“I want to reassure the committee that there has been extensive consultation with local residents. We have listened and considered all the feedback we have received. This represents a bold and sustainable future for Oxfordshire.”

In the debate, councillor Tim Bearder said: “The Environment Agency maintains their objection to this. Thames Water has years of promising to upgrade the sewage works and failing to do so.

"If we just kick this down the road we are letting residents down because we are not forcing the issue. At some point something has to come to a head. 

“Unless we say this is unacceptable, Thames Water will be allowed to get away with this again. It's crucial that the government steps in.”

Tim Bearder Tim Bearder (Image: Oxfordshire County Council) However, the committee's chairman David Bretherton said: “There are issues with this, but I think they have all been covered. It is an allocated site, so we have to use it to fulfil Oxford's unmet need.”

After the meeting Freddie van Mierlo, MP for Henley and Thame, said: “There is clearly a need for additional homes to address the housing crisis however I have deep reservations that this plan was approved in its current form with an outstanding objection from the Environment Agency.

"We need the Government to force Thames Water to upgrade the Oxford Water Treatment Plant now to ensure new homes can be delivered for residents.”