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Witney, Carterton and villages
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Page 26
Rural communities saved as more housing turned down By George Welch ANOTHER contentious housing development in west Oxfordshire has been thrown out as government inspectors dismiss two appeals in as many weeks. Plans to build more than 100 homes in Carterton were dismissed last week, less than two weeks after a plan for 94 homes in Long Hanborough was thrown out. David Wilson Homes Southern had appealed against West Oxfordshire District Council’s decision to turn down permission for the development on land north of Swinbrook Park. As well as up to 115 homes, charity office space and an extension to a country park were proposed. But inspector Hayley Butcher turned down the appeal, saying it would harm the character and appearance of the Shilton Conservation Area, while future residents would also suffer from light pollution caused by floodlights at the adjacent Carterton FC ground. She said: “The adverse impacts of the development would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.” In his objection, John Cleworth, chairman of the Shilton Conservation Association, said the ‘beautiful, important and historic’ village of Shilton is of ‘county and national importance’. He added: “The monastic grange buildings are a very rare survival and
the preservation of their rural setting is paramount for future generations. “This setting would be blighted by the development. It should be rejected.” It is the second development to be vetoed recently at appeal. A government inspector backed another council decision to refuse Cantay Estates planning permission for a development of 94 homes on land to the west of Church Road, Long Hanborough. Council planners welcomed the ruling. Giles Hughes, head of planning and strategic housing at WODC, said: “This was another positive outcome that backs our original decision and highlights the importance of protecting the environment in the district. “New housing is necessary but not at the expense of the character and appearance of the areas concerned.” Campaigners in Long Hanborough received another boost last week after Pye Homes had its plan for 170 homes north of the A4095 refused by WODC. Merilyn Davies, the new WODC representative for Freeland and Hanborough, said they were ‘jubilant’ about the rejection. “Our villages do not have the infrastructure to deal with so many more residents; our roads are crumbling, our doctors’ surgery is already at capacity, and our bus services are woefully inadequate.” David Wilson Homes Southern, Cantay Estates and Pye Homes were contacted for comment.
Meet Cotswold’s coiffured camel
Pictures: Jackie Thomas THIS stylish little madam has arguably the best hairdo in West Oxfordshire. Bactrian camel calf Elsa is the latest addition to Cotswold Wildlife Park and she is set to impress visitors with her good looks. Curator Jamie Craig said: “Elsa
is growing well and has finally managed to get to grips with the tricky issue of manoeuvring on such long and ungainly legs.” Elsa is mum Maggie’s seventh calf since she was born in the park in 1998. In addition to the camel calf,
miniature donkey mare Skidaddle recently gave birth to a foal who has been named Penny. Two wallaby joeys have recently left the comfort of their mothers’ pouches and can be seen bounding around their enclosure near the lake area.
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