A multiplex cinema planned for Oxfordshire has been branded one of the worst examples of urban sprawl in Britain, writes Matt Childe.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England has named 20 examples of traffic-generating developments, which it says directly contradict Government planning policy.

The examples include proposals for a £7m multiplex cinema on the outskirts of Abingdon, currently being considered by Environment Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott after a public inquiry. The CPRE's damning report - entitled Sprawl Patrol - criticises the Vale of White Horse District Council for supporting the plans, saying that the old Regal Cinema in the town centre could be redeveloped instead.

Jane Hornsby, development officer for Oxfordshire CPRE, said: "Rural traffic is set to increase by a huge amount over the next few years. One of the problems Oxfordshire faces is that the more out of town developments that are proposed, the more it encourages people to use their car. "The Abingdon multiplex will encourage people to travel greater distances, when they might consider walking to the centre of a small town such as Wantage or Henley and go to the cinema there."

The Government's Transport White Paper, published last year, pledged stronger planning rules against traffic-generating development.

The report has raised fears that the CPRE will oppose separate plans for a multiplex cinema, beside Oxford United's half-built football stadium, in Littlemore.

Story date: Wednesday 28 April

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