(This is taken directly from Cherwell DC Website)
Revised proposals to build up to 350 homes on agricultural land south of Salt Way in Banbury have been approved after the initial planning application was amended.
At a meeting of Cherwell District Council’s planning committee yesterday (Thursday), members approved outline permission for a development of up to 350 homes with associated infrastructure and public open space on land south of Salt Way and west of Bloxham Road.

In discussing the application, members considered the benefits and harm in approving the scheme, including objections from Banbury Town and Bloxham Parish Councils and four letters of objection from the public. The objections were considered alongside the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework, a requirement to provide homes under the national five year land supply policy and the Submission Local Plan which seeks to provide for a higher level of housing need.
Cllr Michael Gibbard, lead member for planning, said: “Cherwell has been influenced by a number of factors stemming from Government. This includes the Oxfordshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment, a national requirement which identified a need to provide 1,140 homes a year. This led to modifications to our Submission Local Plan following the advice of the planning inspector and it was for those reasons that land to the west of Bloxham Road was included within the document.

“When considering applications we are led by what the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework considers to be a sustainable site and the five year land supply requirements. If we ignore that advice and refuse, we can expect to have that decision overturned on appeal which is what we have experienced with similar applications in that area. In 2013 Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, upheld an appeal for 145 homes to be built on the eastern side of Bloxham Road and this decision has effectively paved the way for other developments to the south of Salt Way.”

The application was submitted by Mr M Horgan and Barwood Strategic Land LLP, who initially proposed 400 homes for the site before reducing this to 350.
At yesterday’s meeting councillors acknowledged the significant benefit the development would bring in meeting the shortfall in the five year housing land supply and the provision of new affordable homes. Of the 350 homes, 105 (30 per cent) will be designated for affordable rent and shared ownership.
The approved scheme includes the provision of outdoor sports pitches and associated infrastructure and open space. The exact mix of properties has yet to be confirmed but is expected to be a combination of maisonettes, houses and bungalows with properties restricted to a height of 2.5 storeys. Access to the site will be from two points on Bloxham Road where a new roundabout will be created to accommodate both this and the adjacent approved development of 145 homes on the eastern side.

Salt Way itself, which forms part of a medieval network of salt distribution routes between Droitwich and London, is a designated heritage asset and as such will be preserved.
In receiving permission, conditions were added which included financial contributions to help fund local transport, infrastructure, schools and public services. Work cannot begin on site until more detailed reserved matter applications are submitted and these must be received and approved within two years of yesterday’s permission. From there, work must begin within one year of all reserved matters being signed off.

Planning permission is also being sought for a further 1000 homes on the other side of the Bloxham Road