Reject plan for 80 homes in Oxfordshire village, officer suggests

Joan Desmond has made the recommendation ahead of the West Oxfordshire District Council planning meeting on April 25 when a decision will be made.

Construction company Spitfire Homes has proposed to build the properties in the village of Freeland on the Chapel Meadow site which is currently open countryside.

READ MORE: 'Village is already full': Residents object to plans to build 80 homes

The development will also include a community shop and an allotment patch.

Residents have already expressed opposition to the plans, saying that the ‘village is already at capacity.’

One concerned commenter, Jane Tomlinson, wrote on West Oxfordshire District Council’s public planning portal: “Freeland's population is 1,500.

“A new estate of 80 houses plonked in a field would increase the size of the village by 10 plus per cent. 

“It's too big, entirely inappropriate and has numerous knock-on effects.

“Freeland Village School is already at capacity and would require enlarged class sizes and more classrooms to accommodate children from the development.

“How will they do that?”

Another resident, Elaine Hardy, added on the public planning portal: “This development would have a significant negative impact on the village of Freeland.

“Another 80 houses equates to potentially an additional 100 - 160 cars and stating that people will choose to cycle or walk, or only need to shop at the shop they will build as part of their plan, is ridiculous.

“They have allocated only 12 parking spaces in front of the shop in their plans, which includes three electric car spaces and no disabled spaces.

“So, if the shop is going to be so good, people will be forced to park along the Wroslyn Road.”

Residents are particularly concerned about the impact the development will have on wildlife in the area in question.

Robert Crocker wrote on the public portal: “It [Chapel Meadow] is currently home to a wide range of insects, mammals, birds and invertebrates.

“The disturbance that development brings, and its unforeseen negative effects on a healthy eco system, should be resisted and the importance of this wildlife corridor acknowledged and protected.

“I strongly urge the planning department to reject this planning application on ecological grounds.”

READ MORE: TV presenter Chris Packham tells council not to repeat 'wildflower fiasco'

On the topic of wildlife, Tim Clark added: “Chapel Meadow is a wildlife haven and part of a wildlife corridor from Blenheim land in the east, to Eynsham Hall Park in the west.

“Wildlife corridors are an important but often disregarded part of ecosystems.

“Conservation isn't about replacing existing species with others to achieve good biodiversity figures.

“It's about preserving what's there, nurturing it and adding to it. And it's not just about biodiversity - it's also about biomass.”

Spitfire Homes were contacted for comment in relation to these claims. 

Emma Foster, planning pirector at Spitfire Homes, said:"Spitfire Homes’ proposals at Freeland seek to deliver 80 new net zero carbon homes along with wider community benefits including a new village shop/café, allotments, traffic calming measures, public open space and financial contributions towards public transport, education and health.

"The scheme will deliver a biodiversity net gain through the retention of existing mature trees and hedgerows and will be enhanced further through the creation of new wildlife habitats within the public open space to be delivered at the site.

"In partnership with Thames Water and Scottish and Southern Electricity, wider infrastructure enhancements will be delivered which will also benefit the wider village.”