A NEW lobby group will lead attempts to stop South Oxfordshire District Council earmarking fields north of Wallingford for 750 new homes.

Members of the ‘No To Site A’ group said a council-commissioned report by urban design consultancy Studio Real was riddled with holes and made no coherent argument for putting the homes there.

They warned that if a new estate was built north of Norries Drive and Wilding Road, hundreds of cars would pour into the town centre, and cause problems on single-lane Shillingford Bridge.

As reported in the Oxford Mail, the land, called Site A in council documents, was recommended for housing by Studio Real after the council asked the firm to look at development options.

The Government says more homes must be built in the town by 2026. Planners previously recommended Site E, near Winterbrook, and Site B, south of Wantage Road near Slade End roundabout, as options.

But the Kidlington-based consultants say Site A would be the most logical solution, with better pedestrian access to the town centre and Wallingford School.

Now, opponents of Studio Real’s proposals have a month to get their argument across.

No To Site A founder Mike Rose, of Norries Drive, said: “The report is absolutely appalling.

“It does not introduce any new evidence into the assessment at all.

“I’ve read hundreds of technical reports and I've never come across a report which has such a struggle to meet its own conclusions.

“It is just verbiage.”

He added: “It is the worst possible option for Wallingford and Shillingford Bridge in respect of traffic.

“Everyone recognises that.”

The group’s steering committee is arranging a public meeting next week to discuss how to oppose the plans.

They have also launched a website – notositea.com Oxfordshire County Council says the site is relatively inaccessible by public transport, and potentially damaging to the town centre’s air quality.

Consultation on all three sites will continue until February 24.

Conservative district councillor and planning cabinet member Angie Paterson, who also sits on the planning committee, said: “Councillors will make a decision based on the views of the community and where is most suitable from a planning point of view.”