PLANS for a controversial industrial site in Bicester have been put to the Local Government Secretary over a dispute thought to be over extra funding to improve a congested road.

Albion Land, developer of the proposed site close to Howes Lane, has appealed plans to build 570,000 sq ft of warehouse and office space.

It is believed the developer launched the appeal due to a disagreement over the agreed 'S106 money'.

The money would be used for improvements to Howes Lane.

Representatives from Albion Land as well as Cherwell District Council will put their case to a planning inspector during the hearing, which took place earlier this month.

Campaigners fear that if Albion Land wins the appeal it will create fresh doubts over the S106 funding and improvements of Howes Lane.

Oxfordshire county councillor for Bicester West, Les Sibley, said: "I have opposed the plans since the beginning as I feel they go against the local plan with too much space designated to B8 storage and distribution [warehousing].

"What is the point in having a local plan if developers run roughshod over it?

"My hope is that the inspector doesn't turn a deaf ear to the local plan."

The proposals to build 16m-tall warehouses were originally refused over fears about increased air pollution and traffic congestion on already busy Howes Lane – which developers wanted to use as a temporary access to the site while construction was taking place.

Concerns were also raised by councillors over the use, type, scale, impact and number of vehicles that would be using the site.

After Cherwell District Council's planning committee refused the plans in June 2016, Albion Land lodged an appeal with the Local Government Secretary.

But then in a surprising turn of events, Albion Land came back to the committee in July this year, having split the application in to two separate applications.

The district council approved both those applications, but Albion Land has continued with its original appeal anyway.

Campaigners fear the S106 agreement for the first – refused – application would not be as beneficial as the agreement reached for the two separate applications, which were approved.

If the developer wins the appeal it could mean the second S106 agreement would no longer be relevant.

Mr Sibley said: "I understand they are looking to get a better deal on the S106 agreement already made.

"It just feels like they are rubbing our noses in it."

S106 money is paid by developers to contribute to infrastructure improvements linked to big developments.

In this case at least some of the money would have been used to improve Howes Lane and mitigate traffic concerns during construction.

Members of Derwent Green Residents Group, many of whom have homes backing on to Howes Lane, have opposed the plans and are concerned the improvements planned for the road could be thrown in to question due to the appeal.

Group chairman Stephen Rand said: "We were not objecting to development per se because we don’t like it or because we don’t welcome change.

"Rather, this is a matter of people’s health and safety.

"Howes Lane has already become significantly more dangerous in terms of traffic levels, traffic speed, HGV use, air and noise pollution.

"My argument was that we urgently need steps to reduce traffic on Howes Lane, not have plans agreed to increase it.

"We want change: we want the agreed realignment of Howes Lane."

The enquiry finished earlier this month and the inspector is working through all the evidence given and will return to make a decision at a future date.

Albion Land did not respond to a request for comment.