Controversial plans to convert buildings in the Oxfordshire countryside into five homes have been approved. 

Applicant Butler and Duke Ltd applied for the development at Woodland Farm in Appleton Road, Longworth. 

Vale of White Horse District Council's planning committee permitted the scheme on Wednesday, October 16. 

The scheme was deemed to be contentious because it already had Class Q permission to convert the buildings, giving it a fallback position if the application was refused. 

READ MORE: Increase in waste incineration raises pollution fears

Five-home plans (Image: Vale of White Horse DC) A total of five locals objected as well as Longworth Parish Council. 

Chris Dyer, from the parish council, said: “We unanimously object to this application.

"The sacks of waste and rubbish piling up, causing a hazard to road users. The overwhelming disinterest to biodiversity and the local ecological balance. 

“The frankly dangerous highways and access proposals. The committee should unanimously reject this application.

"The proposal is not in a built-up area, so it should be rejected. The neighbourhood plan has simply been ignored by the applicant. 

“The planning statement has a thinly veiled threat that this application is rejected, the proposal will still go ahead under Class Q, which we believe should never have been granted. 

“This application has been maliciously designed to misinform and hide the truth. This should be rejected and the original Class Q application should be obsolete.”

Householder Yvonne Longstaff said: “I have been asked to speak on behalf of the neighbours who are very concerned about this application. 

“Your officers recommend approval, but also say that if it were not for the existing Class Q approval, the site would not be acceptable. 

“Highways issued a written statement that five new dwellings in addition to the existing dwelling will reduce the traffic, including larger vehicles using the site, which makes no sense. 

“The village has little public transport, so increased vehicle movements will be impacted if this site is approved. 

“The fallback position is the only reason the application is being considered in this location. We vehemently object to this application.”

Alex Cresswell, planning agent, gave the committee assurances that the waste would be properly managed. 

Councillor Robert Maddison said: “I think if you boil it down to the choice between this and the Class Q, I think this is better. From that point of view, I think we should approve this.”

Planning committee chairman Max Thompson added: “On balance, I will be supporting this application.

"It will be a betterment of what is agreed already. It secures greater levels of bio-diversity and cycling provision.”

The scheme was approved with all councillors voting in favour, except one who abstained.