A SITE in West Oxfordshire that has been identified for hundreds of homes may no longer be part of a council's plans.

House developer Blenheim Estate, says if Cherwell District Council removes its proposed development in Woodstock from the Local Plan it will be a “huge lost opportunity".

It comes after the council’s Inspector recommended the development of land to be deleted from the Plan last July and the council is now in the process of deciding whether to agree with the finding.

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The Blenheim Estate site, known as PR10, would include 205 affordable homes in its 410-home site.

It would use sustainable building and sourcing with initiatives that protect and enhance the local environment and would be the only site among the Cherwell allocations that is not located in the Green Belt.

Blenheim Estate disputes the Inspector’s views and is concerned that if its proposals are removed from the Plan that it is not protecting the Green Belt enough.

Dominic Hare, chief executive of Blenheim Estate, said: “The decision to remove PR10 from the Local Plan is a huge lost opportunity.

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“The council has completely changed its approach by supporting the development of Green Belt sites over and above a sustainable site outside the Green Belt. This runs entirely contrary to national policy and guidance.

“The de-allocation would also see the loss of 205 affordable homes which would have been delivered using our unique model offering discounts of 40 per cent on the market rate compared with the usual 20 per cent offered by housing associations.

“The Blenheim approach is about building homes and creating communities for people to enjoy living and working now and into the future. We are at a loss as to why the council should not have stuck with its original conviction that PR10 was an excellent site to help it meet Oxford’s urgent housing needs.”

Cherwell District Council consulted on proposed modifications to the plan from November 8 to December 20.

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Although planning officers have recommended that the council should accept the Inspector’s finding, this still needs the approval of councillors at a meeting in February.

The modifications will then be formally submitted to the Inspector who will complete the examination and write his full report.

The council said in a statement: “The Inspector (in his advice notes) stated that the Council’s strategy was appropriate, that there were ‘exceptional circumstances’ to justify alterations to Green Belt boundaries but that the site at Woodstock would cause significant harm to the setting of Woodstock, and the character and appearance of the area. He therefore sought changes to the Plan.”

Blenheim Estate has submitted representations highlighting its objections to the removal of PR10 to Cherwell District Council as part of the Local Plan consultation process.