A DEVELOPER is pursuing a Banbury plan for 300 homes despite it being removed from a major housing strategy.

Miller Homes has submitted a planning application for 300 homes off Warwick Road, above North Oxfordshire Academy.

It comes after the site was removed from a Cherwell District Council's (CDC) strategy on where town homes should go over the next two decades.

In it, the council backs a nearby site for 400 homes north of Hanwell Fields, near Dukes Meadow Drive.

Neighbours said they were shocked by the move and the owner of a neighbouring golf club warned it could put him out of business.

But a Miller Homes spokesman said: “We are very disappointed that this site has been removed from the new draft plan in favour of another site without any clear justification or evidence to support this decision.”

She said: “Our site, which is well integrated within the existing community, remains the best to meet the housing needs of the area.”

The developer put the “screening and scoping” application to seek views from the council over the plan, which could include a sports pitch.

Lead member for planning Michael Gibbard said: “The application will be judged against the requirements of the emerging local plan.”