A development that would see 150 new properties built on the outskirts of Banbury is facing opposition from Bloxham Parish Council. At the recent meeting, councillors voted against the application for the development on land next to Landsdown Close.
David Chapman, chairman of the parish council, said: “Salt Way has always been known as the unofficial boundary between Bloxham and Banbury and this development goes beyond that. We feel that it would increase the traffic on the A361 and would open the door to further developments down to Sor Brook. It will be like a crossroads on the way from the village, it would increase journey times as most of the village would drive past it on their way to work and the risk of accidents would increase.”
There were also some residents at the meeting who raised concerns about the development infringing on the village’s boundary. If it is approved it will be the first time a planning application has extended past the public footpath that has been the informal boundary for the town. The new housing would be built on six-hundred hectares of land and consist of a mixture of two, three and four bedroom houses as well as some flats. Local property investors are said to be already looking for cheap landlord insurance quotes as they prepare to add some of the new builds to their portfolios and it is this that is making some locals uneasy with the development.
Cherwell district councillors have been discussing the need to increase housing numbers in the area for some time but they are not sure that this is the correct development. There has been other developments submitted but the council believe most are far too big with the general feeling being that any development should satisfy the needs of the local populace and not necessarily involve attracting new people to the town.