New 1,250-home development in Witney dubbed 'carmageddon'

Developers Blenheim Strategic Partners, Cranbrook Construction Limited, Gleeson Land Limited, L&Q Estates Limited and Taylor Wimpey UK want to build 1,250 houses on fields between Woodstock Road and Hailey Road.

But critics say the proposals have dire transport and flooding issues.

The estate with a new community centre and primary school plus public open space would be accessed off Woodstock Road, New Yatt Road and Hailey Road with a new road built between Woodstock and Hailey Road.

But the Witney North Consortium say their masterplan will not include a West End Link road across the River Windrush as it is not needed under Oxfordshire County Council's new traffic policy to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport.

The site in Hailey parish was allocated for development in the 2018 Local Plan. At the time Witney North councillor Richard Langridge said it would 'scar' Witney.

During the round of public consultations in November 2023 a panel of consortium consultants told a meeting of Hailey Parish Council that removing the West End Link road was nothing to do with cost, but the new transport policy.

Chair of the parish council Graham Knaggs said: "We had a public meeting with the developers where we made it very clear that the exclusion of the West End link was totally unacceptable.

"It is part of Oxfordshire County Council's Transport strategy as well as a key policy in WODC's Local Plan.

"1,400 houses makes this development larger than the population of Burford or Charlbury resulting in an additional 2,500 vehicles trying to get in and around Witney.

"Bridge Street will become Carmaggedon," he said.

Stuart Harrison, chair of North Witney Action Group, has opposed development since it was first proposed. 

He said "the future wellbeing of our town hangs" on whether or not it is built.

Around 20 objections to the plans had been lodged since the plans were submitted last week with three in favour.

A Quarry Road neighbour said: "Before a spade is driven into the ground for this proposed development, the West End relief road should be built".

And an Eastfield Road resident added: "It was only on February 18 this year (2024) that floodwater came inches from our front door. How do you propose to develop the system to make sure that when you build these houses that the ones that are already here won't be impacted?"

Another resident pointed out that the conservation area of Bridge Street has "17 listed buildings which are part of Witney's heritage as many are over 400 years old".

"We have been required to move away for two one-year periods due to the river running through our house. We need to preserve this historic area, not further bring any further threat," they said.

The developers say the scheme, which will include 40 per cent affordable housing, adds alleviation measures to reduce flood risk associated with the Hailey Road drain.

A spokesperson for North Witney Consortium said: “Since the adoption of the Local Plan, the Oxfordshire County Council has released further guidance that promotes the delivery of sustainable, active modes of transport.

"Additional infrastructure for cars should only be considered ‘after all other options have been explored’.

"Based on the work the Consortium has undertaken we do not therefore consider that the West End Link remains the most appropriate solution and have developed a package of alternative mitigation measures.”