New Residential Allocation 7.8 Hectares - 190 Homes

1.   New Allocation or Windfall Housing Contribution - This submission proposes the allocation of 7.86 Hectares of land, outlined in red on the attached plan, for a residential development of approximately 190 dwellings. It is suggested that this scheme will include public open space, and a mix of Open Market and (40%) Affordable homes, plus a proportion of serviced self-build plots.

2.   Access & Connectivity - This land abuts the southern boundary of Land West of Hailey Road, which is part of the North Witney SDA (Local Plan Policy WIT 2). It is proposed that the principal access to this new residential area would be taken through that first phase of the allocated site. A detailed application for the Hailey Road development is currently under consideration at appeal. In addition, this new land can provide footpath and cycle connectivity to the adjacent residential estate and Schofield Avenue, plus connections to the south via the Milking Lane Bridleway. It may also be possible, subject to highway authority approval, to provide some additional vehicular access onto Witney Road to the South.

3.   Physically Contained - The proposed allocation site comprises a natural completion of the existing pattern of development. It benefits from physical containment to the south by Witney Road, and to the west by the strong and well-established natural boundary of Milking Lane, beyond which lies Foxburrow Wood. To the north is the westernmost extent of the North Witney SDA.

4.   Highly Deliverable - This site is highly deliverable as a secondary phase to the Hailey Road, development. It requires no further off-site road infrastructure than the allocated site, with the main access via Hailey Road. 

5.   Highley Sustainable & Accessible Location – Regardless of which strategic approach is eventually taken to secure future housing development within the new local plan, a proportion of new dwellings will be built on the edge of Witney. This site comprises a sustainable pattern of development and provides future residents with access to, and support for, the range and scale of commercial and community services and facilities that only a market town can provide. As such it is a location that can delivery a high quality of life, by providing residents with easy access (& short journeys) to open space, schools, employment, retail, and leisure.

6.   Request for Constructive Engagement - The promoters of the land would welcome the opportunity to discuss the form of development that WODC may consider appropriate for the site, and its early release, in order to assist in the delivery of much needed homes within this district.

                                            Ken Dijksman MRTPI