A HOUSING estate in Radley campaigners say will 'destroy wildlife' and villagers fear will cause traffic chaos has been approved.

The scheme for 240 houses was submitted by Radley College for land off Kennington Road – including a former quarry.

Despite objections from Oxfordshire Badger Group, town and parish councils and 30 residents who live near the site, Vale of White Horse District Council's planning committee voted in favour of the development on Wednesday.

Badger group chairman Julia Hammett had warned approval would mean the loss of the 'rich biodiversity' of the area and would leave 'a single field' between Radley and Abingdon.

Radley Parish Council cited not just environmental fears but also the impact of the houses on traffic at Sugworth Lane, as well as other routes around the village during construction.

A major criticism was a lack of connectivity to the village.

In an official response to the application, the council warned: "It will be greatly regretted in future years if the development proceeds as proposed, with such inadequate pedestrian and cycle connectivity to the existing village."

Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval arguing ‘limited harm’ to local habitats was outweighed by the benefits of the scheme in contributing towards the area’s housing need and providing funding for local infrastructure, including the long-awaited scheme to create a ‘diamond interchange’ at the Lodge Hill interchange in Abingdon.