Contentious plans for a fishing and holiday lodge complex near Banbury have been unanimously refused. 

Cherwell District Council planning officers recommended that the scheme, near The Indian Queen restaurant on the A422 Stratford Road, be refused due to the harm it would cause to the character of the area. 

Applicant ATE Farms applied for planning permission for two fishing lakes, two nursery lakes, the siting of 15 accommodation lodges, eight pods, as well as management building and vehicle access. 

It was rejected by the planning committee on Thursday, November 7. 

The proposal was controversial with 36 letters of objection.

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A422 Stratford Road (Image: Google Street View) John Offord, chairman of Hornton Parish Council, said: “For more than five years we have been forced to wage a costly and exhaustive battle against the owners of this stretch of the north Oxfordshire downs to develop it.

"Plans that are in flagrant disregard for the impact they would have on people, wildlife, the environment and sustainability.

"Last year, the land owner tried to get this committee to grant retrospective permission for the Wroxton Motocross site, which is next door to this proposed site. 

“You threw that proposal out because it was the wrong development in the wrong place. That same land owner has now teamed up with a developer for a new plan, for the so called fishing village.”

He added: “Cherwell's planners are absolutely right to recommend you reject it. It will urbanise the stretch of the countryside and harm the rural character of the area. There are no good reasons to support this proposal, but plenty to reject it. 

“There is no need for this facility, there are plenty of other fishing lakes nearby. The proposal is completely unsustainable. We urge you to vote unanimously against this proposal.”

Lance Wiggins, agent for the application, urged the committee to defer the scheme due to ecology reports being submitted late. 

He added: “The proposal could bring significant economic benefits in terms of employment and additional spending. The site is in the countryside, but it's immediately adjacent to an exciting leisure facility. 

“It's common practice for fishing lakes to be in these locations and away from the town. The economic benefits of the proposal would outweigh any limited harm to the character of the landscape which may result.”

The committee agreed that the scheme should be refused. 

Douglas Webb said: “I don't think this is the right place for this size of development because it was an old quarry.”

Phil Chapman added: “There is no need for this. We have lots of fishing lakes in the area and we certainly don't need the enormous work that would be required to build this site. The case for rejecting this is very clear.”

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About the author  

Toby is a senior reporter who has a particular interest in covering planning and local government. 

He joined in September 2024 having been a reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle for three years. 

Toby studied at the University of Brighton and can be found on X through the handle @JournoToby