RESIDENTS will be able to visit exhibitions in the next month on controversial plans for more than 3,500 new homes around Banbury.

Cherwell District Council has launched its final round of consultation on where it thinks major new developments should go by 2031. It hopes that by earmarking 16,750 homes across Cherwell, it will have a sounder legal basis to refuse inappropriate sites.

All sites have been previously announced by the council and final proposals will go to an independent public inquiry next year.

The sites include 1,050 homes at Canalside, to the west of the train line by Bridge Street in Banbury town centre.

It also proposes 800 homes at Hardwick Farm, either side of Southam Road, north of the Dukes Meadow Drive roundabout.

A further 400 are proposed west of the Bretch Hill estate and 400 off Oxford Road to the south of Banbury.

Adderbury, Ambrosden, Bodicote, Bloxham, Deddington and Launton will share 500 homes.

Cropredy, Hook Norton, Sibford Gower, Sibford Ferris, Fritwell and Steeple Aston will take 189 between them.

An action group is fighting plans for 400 homes north of Hanwell Fields, off the Warwick Road and Dukes Meadow Drive.

Spokesman Antony Watts said: “It seems that CDC is bowing to pressure from developers or land bankers to name sites they claim are good for housing round Banbury.”

He said Labour housing targets had been abolished, but CDC lead member for planning Michael Gibbard said the council was still bound by these.

He said the plan was aimed at boosting the economy and puts most development in Bicester and Banbury while limiting plans in rural areas, yet putting homes in “larger and more sustainable villages”.

The consultation runs to October 10 and Banbury exhibitions will be held at:

  • Cherwell District Council, White Post Road, September 13, 11.30am-5.30pm.
  • Banbury Canal Day, the town centre, Sunday, October 7, 10.30am to 5pm.

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