Off-policy housing estate 'should be approved' (From Herald Series)

Off-policy housing estate 'should be approved'

6:30pm Monday 10th September 2012 in Abingdon

CONTROVERSIAL plans for 50 homes in Southmoor should be approved despite going against local policies, a council report said.

The plans for a field off Faringdon Road should be passed to help meet housing targets, the report said.

The site is not in Vale of White Horse District Council ’s overall plan for new housing estates.

Sixteen people objected to the Pye Homes plans with concerns it will have a “harmful impact on the open character” of the area. There are also fears over road congestion and pressure on local services.

Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor Parish Council said: “Development would seriously impact on the village environment by making the core of the village significantly more urban.”

But council planning officer David Rothery said not enough homes were being built to satisfy Government planners.

He said: “This outline proposal does not accord with the development plan and has been publicised as a departure.

“However, in the light of the current shortfall in the council’s five-year housing land supply, the proposal should be afforded appropriate weight.”

He said it is “within an existing residential street scene forming part of the village environment” and “provides a defensible boundary to the open countryside”.

The district council’s planning committee will make a decision on Wednesday.