A HOUSING developer has become the latest to exploit an Oxfordshire council's lack of a 'local plan' to try to build homes in a rural part of the county.

Lagan Homes has unveiled plans for 29 homes on fields east of the High Street in Long Wittenham, near Didcot.

The site is outside the current built-up area of the village and is likely to prove controversial with locals.

However in its submission to South Oxfordshire District Council, Lagan pointed out that the authority did not have an up-to-date local plan for housing and so, according to government rules, cannot officially demonstrate a 'five-year land supply' for housing.

That is despite the fact that the council is in the process of developing its local plan and has already identified sites for thousands of homes.

Lagan, however, said it was planning to build 29 'high-quality' homes, 12 of which will be 'affordable' social housing to be run by a housing agency or local council.

It also said it would try to use materials which 'reflect' the local architectural vernacular, which is in line with Long Wittenham's own neighbourhood plan for development.

See southoxon.gov.uk using reference P18/S0752/FU