- Villagers intend to put up significant opposition at planning inquiry next week
- Village already bursting with over 1,000 extra houses and no new amenities
- Development plans labelled as "opportunistic" by local campaigners
Residents of a village in an Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) are preparing to do battle with a large housing developer when a planning inquiry opens next week.
Originally a small village at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, Chinnor has seen more than 1,000 additional houses built since 2011 an increase of 42%; and almost three times more than were originally planned for by the local district council.
The proposed development - for 150 houses on the B4445 between Chinnor and Thame - has attracted stinging criticism from residents. The application, by Gleeson Land, was turned down by South Oxfordshire District Council in April. Gleeson has appealed the decision – which is due to be debated at a public inquiry starting on 10th October.
Campaigners from #StandupforChinnor, backed by Chinnor and nearby Sydenham Parish Councils, argue that the development will add to Chinnor’s already creaking infrastructure; leaving villagers unable to access local services, adding to traffic congestion and putting strain on drainage and sewerage systems. They also say that the development, which is on prime agricultural land, will adversely affect the Chiltern landscape.
They are planning to turn out in force when the inquiry opens next week.
“We know of one four-year-old who is having to take a taxi to a nearby town to go to school,” says Cllr Maggie Mackenzie, Chair of Chinnor Parish Council. “We also know that the sewerage system is overloaded and, in some cases, has flooded people’s gardens. More development in Chinnor is simply unsustainable.”
Campaigners are also dismayed by what they call “cynical attempts” to exploit a planning loophole.
“We are currently updating our Neighbourhood Plan, which would have a significant bearing on this, and other planning decisions. The developers have seized the opportunity to make their move only a few weeks before it is approved,” continues Cllr Mackenzie. “It has created a lot of anger amongst local residents.”
The public inquiry starts on Tuesday 10 October at the Chinnor Community Pavilion, Station Road, OX39 4PU and could last for up to three weeks.
