VILLAGERS vented their fury at a government agency as it unveiled more detailed plans for a 3,000-home development next to Chalgrove.

After five days of 'enquiry by design' sessions – billed as a chance for local people to have a say – work by the Homes and Communities Agency was dismissed as a 'confidence trick' by one person at a heated public meeting.

Some 200 people packed Chalgrove Village Hall on Monday night to hear the latest proposals for the development, to be called Upsgrove, which will include a secondary school, two primary schools, a supermarket, sports pitches, cafes and shops.

It would also see a runway used by Martin Baker, current tenants of the airfield, moved at a cost of £12m.

But most controversially, the B480 bypass would be re-routed through the new development, with speed limits cut from 50mph to 20mph.

thisisoxfordshire:

  • The proposed 'green way' would go on thec current route of the B480

Its old route would become a so-called 'green way', used for walking, cycling and as a area to direct water away from homes during flooding.

Chalgrove villager Paul Boone, a prominent campaigner against the proposals, told agency staff it was the 'one thing' people told planners they did not want.

He added: "This proves to me that enquiry by design is, in effect, a confidence trick and that you have not listened to anyone here."

During the meeting, people raised concerns about traffic from the B480 having to pass through the new development.

One woman asked: "Why on earth would you want to send all those cars through the new town and past the schools? It is madness."

The Homes and Communities Agency said currently about 5,000 vehicles used the road a day, which its experts said was "not significant" compared to others.

The agency has also promised it will fund new bypasses and road improvements for other nearby villages to improve traffic flows in the area.

thisisoxfordshire:

  • A concept image of what the centre of 'Upsgrove' could look like

Andy Ward, one of the consultants who took part in the drop-in events, said moving the B480 would help bring trade to the new settlement and the 'green way' would reduce flooding.

He told the meeting: "People said flooding was their number one priority and we have genuinely tried to listen to their concerns and feed that back in.

"We do not have to go ahead with this option but we think it is the best chance to tackle the flooding."

Another villager accused the HCA of 'lying' about funding for road improvements, suggesting it would pass on the costs to local councils.

But David Warburton, the agency's head of area, said: "We have always made it very clear that a significant amount of money will be needed to help this site move forward.

"There will be a legal agreement which obliges the HCA to put in the necessary infrastructure."

Mr Ward said the facilities and infrastructure proposed meant there was no longer space for an earlier estimate of 3,500 homes, with the figure now closer to 3,000.