Plans for up to 29 houses on land off Northfield Lane next to Bodkin’s Field in Long Wittenham have received a frosty reception from parish councillors.
Lagan Homes of Banbury have an option to buy the land and want to build a selection of three and four-bedroom homes. Architects West Waddy want to stage a public exhibition in the village in January or February and hope to submit a planning application to South Oxfordshire District Council in the Spring.
However, the proposal has run into opposition from Long Wittenham Parish Council which regards it as a threat to the council’s own plans for the Community Hub as proposed in the village Neighbourhood Development Plan which was approved by residents this Summer.
The council has concerns too about access points for the proposed development. There are legal complications associated with vehicles using Northfield Lane which is designated as a footpath. An entrance on to the busy Clifton Hampden Road is also seen as a hazard.
Parish council chairman Gordon Rogers said: “Not only do these proposals pose a direct threat to our plans for houses and the Community Hub, we are not happy with access points at either Northfield Lane or the main Clifton Hampden Road.”
“Northfield Lane is officially a footpath although used by farm vehicles and a few residents. The junction with Little Wittenham Road and into High Street is totally unsuitable to cope with more traffic. We believe that if an access is created on the main Clifton Hampden Road this too would be unsuitable.”
