WODC vote in favour of housing development in Woodstock

woodstockA controversial plan to build 300 homes on land to the South East of Woodstock were approved this week after a long campaign by Woodstock Action Group against the proposal.

After more than two hours of debate, councillors at the packed planning meeting at the council offices in Witney, voted 9 to 2 in favour of the proposal by Blenheim Estates and Pye Homes.

Outline planning permission for the majority of the homes was approved with full planning permission given for the first phase of 46 houses. The development also includes 1,100 square metres of commercial space.

However, no affordable housing will be included in the first stage of building. And agreement on the percentage of affordable homes in later phases has yet to be reached.

There are also no clear plans for dealing with significant infrastructure issues, such as traffic congestion.

Woodstock residents are fearful the decision could open up the floodgates for further development in the historic town of Woodstock.