Funding for a new primary school, sports pitches and healthcare is key to plans to build up to 320 homes in Banbury.
On Thursday, 20 June, Cherwell District Council’s planning committee agreed that it was minded to grant outline planning permission for the development on a large housing site next to Warwick Road in the north-west of the town. The permission would be subject to the applicant entering into a legal agreement to provide contributions towards the provision of a range of infrastructure and local services and facilities.
Amenities are expected to include a community hall, shopping centre, playing fields and allotments. 30 per cent of the houses must be affordable and conditions include the developer providing £3,552,751 towards schooling, £276,480 to support local primary care infrastructure and £267,182 for off-site sports facilities.
Cllr Colin Clarke, Cherwell’s lead member for planning, said: “This site has long been earmarked in our adopted Local Plan to help provide the homes that Banbury needs. This is a balanced proposal which will include significant green spaces and community facilities to support residents.
“It’s vital that as new homes are approved, we plan for the infrastructure needed to support them. That is why conditions have been set to fund a new school, healthcare, public transport and sports and play areas.”
The applicant proposes to build more houses on the site than the 250 allocated in the Local Plan, but the committee agreed with the assessment that the overall number could be accommodated by building more of the small and medium-sized homes that are most needed locally.
The applicant will need full planning permission, covering the layout of the site and the design of the homes, before building works can begin.
