19/01/2026
An Oxfordshire village will get 350 new homes after plans were approved by the council, despite more than a hundred objections being submitted.
The homes would be built on a 17-hectare site off Burford Road in Brize Norton, on the northern edge of Carterton.
West Oxfordshire District Council approved the plans at the lowlands planning meeting on Monday (January 12).
There were 116 objections on the planning portal, and a number of people spoke against the plans at the meeting.
Chair of Brize Norton Parish Council Les Goble said: “Our village will have grown from 382 to 1200 houses by 2027.
“This cannot be construed as limited development, and it’s clear that Brize Norton has delivered above and beyond its reasonable contribution to the housing requirement.
“The Oxford Growth Commission states that there is an aspiration for a western rail link between Oxford, Carterton and beyond.
“If this application is approved, this aspiration will be destroyed and the rail link would terminate at Brize Norton.
“This application has been rejected by three councils and is totally reliant on existing infrastructure which, as all well know, is woefully lacking.”
He added that if the development goes ahead, along with recently announcement plans for 2,500 homes “will cause unacceptable urban sprawl between Carterton, Brize Norton, Minister Lovell and Witney”.
Laura Bisbey who spoke behalf of applicant Harper Crewe Bloombridge, said that the plans would include measures to improve the flood risk situation downstream, and that they would agree to deliver an interim private sewage network in the event that Thames Water do not resolve the issues with the network.
There were also four supporting comments, with neighbours saying that the added housing could unlock more community resources and that more homes are needed generally.
Councillor Liam Walker, who represents Hailey Minster Lovell and Leafield, said he had not heard any reason to object to the plans, and felt concerned that refusing the plans could result in the council losing an appeal and wasting taxpayers’ money.
He proposed that the plans should be approved.
Councillor Steve Cosier said he could not support the plans.
He added: “We are always talking about water, sewage, infrastructure, and all of us sing from the same hymn sheet when we say it isn’t good enough.
“By going down this path, we are going against everything we say in every single meeting.”
The plans were approved with four councillors voting in favour, two councillors voting against and six abstaining.
The development also includes new community building, public open spaces, improvements to Kilkenny Lane Country Park, and contributions towards healthcare, education and a new cemetery and woodland burial site.
A total of 35 per cent of the homes will be affordable, with some of these being specifically for veterans.
Vehicular access would be via Burford Road, while walking and cycling links to existing local services and facilities will be improved.
✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Esme Kenney
