CHANGES have been made to plans for a housing estate which would double the size of Woodstock.

Pye Homes carried out a consultation earlier this year on its plans for 1,500 homes on land owned by the Blenheim Palace estate to the east of Woodstock, along with a care village, sports facilities, parks, a primary school and a local centre.

In its original plans, Pye aimed to build 1,500 homes and provide 7,500 square metres of employment space.

It is now offering a second option of 1,200 homes but doubling the employment space to 13,800 sqm.

Either of these options would be open for district councils to choose when it comes to adopting the proposals.

The new plans include cycle and pedestrian routes linking all the parts of the development.

Tree-lined avenues and parks will be built, which Pye said reflected comments made by residents that the development should reflect the heritage of the old town of Woodstock and the Capability Brown-designed gardens of Blenheim Palace.

In the central square, to be called Hensington Place, Pye said there would be an art and community hub.

Responding to concerns about lack of infrastructure, the firm said it was also looking at bringing in an “infrastructure first” approach by building the primary schools, roads, parks and sports facilities before completing the houses. In a letter to Cherwell District Council, the firm said: “The revised Woodstock East Masterplan has been carefully redesigned to provide greater flexibility to the proposed development.”

Pye consulted West Oxfordshire and Cherwell district councils, because the site covers both areas, along with Marlborough School, Oxfordshire County Council, Woodstock Town Council, residents and businesses before making the changes.

It will now work towards submitting an outline planning application.

Woodstock town councillor Sharone Parnes said it was early days for people to go through the updated planing documents but said there would not be enough to change people’s minds in favour of it.

He said employment space is no more favourable than homes because it would cause more traffic problems in the town.

The town council is to hold a public meeting to discuss the plans on July 8.

* The plans can be viewed at woodstockeast.co.uk