PLANS to build homes on the Blenheim Palace estate would harm the World Heritage site, a leading conservation organisation has said.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) has objected to a planning application for a housing estate that would double the size of Woodstock.

Developer Pye Homes submitted revised proposals to build 1,200 homes on the Blenheim Palace estate to the east of Woodstock, after initial plans for 1,500 homes were reduced.

But in a letter to Cherwell District Council, Peter Marsden, chairman of Icomos – which provides advice to managers at UNESCO World Heritage sites such Blenheim – said the open farmland surrounding the palace was important in “understanding and appreciating” its historic character.

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He added replacing its open farmland with a large development would have a “negative” impact on the significance of the area.

Mr Marsden wrote: “It remains our view that the town of Woodstock forms a key element in the setting of the World Heritage Site.

“The town was always dependant on the estate, developing from the medieval period to service the palace and its visitors. This role continues today and gives Woodstock its distinctive character. We continue to believe the development would physically overpower the existing settlement.”

Philip Redpath, of Shipton Road, Woodstock, who is among hundreds of residents against the development, said it would “destroy the ambience” of the town.

He added: “We have people in Woodstock saying the traffic congestion is terrible and that it’s taking them twice as long to get anywhere. It’s just not sustainable.

“There are 1,000 individuals in Woodstock who oppose this and Blenheim is scraping the barrel with this development.

“We have got people coming from all over the world to see this town and this monstrosity would be the last thing they would see.”

Mr Redpath fears the housing would not be affordable and that the homes would be sold to people wanting to use the new Oxford Parkway railway station to get to London.

Woodstock Town Councillor Sharone Parnes said: “This confirms that Woodstock forms part of the World Heritage Site. The letter says the setting of a historic asset is defined by its surroundings.”

Pye Homes spokesman Daniel Hayman said discussions were ongoing with Icomos to make sure it felt more “comfortable” with the plans.

He added: “Officers will be looking at these comments and seek to balance them and understand the benefits a long term plan might bring and what we can do to minimise the impacts of it.

“The development has the potential to secure the future of the World Heritage Site well into the future and it is imperative that it does so in a sympathetic and non-detrimental way.”

A decision by Cherwell on the development, known as Woodstock East, which also includes care accommodation and a primary school, is due next month.

A World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by UNESCO for having a special cultural or physical significance.