A NEW attempt to build almost 160 homes south of Abingdon previously opposed by the town’s MP and councillors has been described as “frustrating”.

Abingdon Town Council leader Sandy Lovatt has described the plan as a gamble in the hope of getting a more lenient planning inspector.

Taylor Wimpey, which bought the land off Drayton Road earlier this year, has now submitted a planning application for 159 homes on the site.

It follows an initial plan that was scuppered in March, after Oxfordshire County Council refused permission for two new pedestrian crossings to alleviate traffic.

Mr Lovatt said: “I think they’re just hoping to get a more lenient planning inspector and the chances are pretty high.

“One planning inspector isn’t identical to another.”

Sheffield housing developer Hallam Land Management first applied to build 160 homes at the site in 2012.

Vale of White Horse District Council’s planning committee refused the plan last year on the grounds it would cause unacceptable amounts of traffic.

Hallam estimated the estate would add 100 cars to the queues on Drayton Road at peak times.

The company then won permission on appeal to the government’s planning inspectorate, with the condition that two new pedestrian crossings be created on Ock Street.

But Oxfordshire County Council member for transport, David Nimmo-Smith, rejected the crossing plan in March, halting the whole sceme.

Taylor Wimpey submitted a new planning application in May. A spokesman for the firm said: “We remain committed to developing this site, as we believe our scheme will deliver much-needed high-quality housing in Abingdon. Our new full planning application is consistent with the scheme previously approved.

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