RESIDENTS in Crowmarsh Gifford near Wallingford are continuing their campaign to prevent over-development after council planners recommended a new housing scheme should go ahead.

Last year father-of-two Philip Tremayne, 64, launched CRAG - Crowmarsh Action Group - after it emerged that plans for three new housing schemes in the village of 450 homes could lead to the village almost doubling in size.

Mr Tremayne, an offshore oil and gas engineer who lives in the village with wife Judith, daughter Kate, 17 and son Luke, 15, is protesting against the Bloor Homes and Hallam Land Management proposal for 150 homes east of Benson Lane.

The plans will be considered by South Oxfordshire District Council's planning committee on Wednesday and is recommended for approval.

Mr Tremayne said the sustainability of Crowmarsh was being brought into question by the 'sheer size and disproportionate nature of proposed developments'.

Mr Tremayne said: "Representatives of Bloor Homes and Hallam Land Management, at a consultation meeting with the community, responded to questions about phased development of the Benson Lane site by saying 'that is how development is done'.

"Their phase two and three developments would bring a further 300 new houses to the village, doubling its size and area.

"None of these houses would be affordable to the younger members of the community."

Mr Tremayne added Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School could not accommodate any more pupils and the roads were not fit for existing traffic.

He added: "The utilities cannot manage and the medical centre in Wallingford is already swamped.

"The phase one development of 150 houses proposed by Bloor Homes/Hallam Land Management would eat up a large part of a valuable food producing greenfield site – a green lung for the village and home to at least two protected species - barn owls and adders.

"The phase one development would also increase the area of the village by over 30 per cent and ultimately open the door for the second and third phases of development."

Exilarch's Foundation and Lightwood Strategic have also put forward plans for 80 new homes in Old Reading Road.

This would include 40 per cent affordable housing, a community hall and enhanced facilities including a sports pitch and car parking for Crowmarsh Gifford Primary School.

Avant Homes has also applied to build 100 homes near Newnham Manor in the village.

Last month residents renewed demands for council leaders to rebuild the burnt-out SODC headquarters off Benson Lane.

It was almost destroyed in an arson attack in January 2015 and staff for SODC and Vale of White Horse District Council are now based at offices in Milton Park near Didcot.

Last month Mr Tremayne was among villagers urging council leaders to consider the brownfield site for housing after it emerged the local authority has set aside £20,000 this year to cover the cost of security guards patrolling the site.

Mr Tremayne said if housing was built on the district council site it would help to spread new homes throughout the village.

South Oxfordshire District Council leader John Cotton said there was still a chance the council could relocate to its Benson lane headquarters.

He added: "If we were not to go back the fall back use would still be one of employment, not housing.

"Crowmarsh is a sustainable location well served by the A4074 and you can walk or cycle into Wallingford.

"Residents keen to have a say on planning can draw up a Neighbourhood Development Plan and Crowmarsh residents can start that at any time."

A spokesman for Bloor Homes and Hallam Land Management said: "Our proposals will bring many benefits for Crowmarsh Gifford, particularly much-needed new homes, including 40 per cent affordable housing.

"We will also be providing funding for improvements, through the Community Infrastructure Levy, including a new pedestrian crossing across The Street."

The planning committee meets at Didcot Civic Hall in the Broadway at 6pm.