A recent decision by Cherwell District Council has given the green light to the construction of 96 homes along Bicester Road in Kidlington. Despite concerns from the village, this approval is part of a broader trend of major housing applications impacting villages north of Oxford.
The new development has stoked fears that the Kidlington Gap, the green belt land separating the village from Oxford, is gradually disappearing under the weight of increased housing. A local spokesperson expressed that the sanctioned homes are merely the beginning, with thousands more planned for the areas surrounding Kidlington, Yarnton, and Begbroke.
At a recent meeting, the council’s planning committee aligned with officer recommendations, endorsing the 96-home project. The spokesperson for the council championed the decision, noting benefits for Kidlington, including 50 percent affordable housing and financial contributions from developers Hill Residential. This proposal was made despite objections from villagers and the Environment Agency, who raised concerns about potential traffic increases and the impact of three-storey flats on neighbors’ privacy.
Another representative, seconding the proposal, downplayed these objections as minor compared to the broader challenges of escalating housing risks and poverty. The majority of the committee voted in favor of the plans, with one member abstaining.
This decision follows the approval of nearly 500 new homes in Kidlington a few months ago, contributing to the ongoing wave of housing applications. Other proposals still in the pipeline include over 1,000 homes at North Oxford Golf Club, 1,450 homes at Bayswater Brook, 800 homes in Water Eaton, and 540 homes near Yarnton, currently under government appeal.
The surge in housing applications is linked to Cherwell District Council’s commitment in 2020 to meet Oxford’s housing needs by allocating 4,400 new homes in the area. The recently concluded public consultation on the council’s draft 2040 local plan indicates further earmarking of homes in these regions.
A representative for a political party expressed concern over housing dynamics between Oxford City Council and Cherwell District Council. They urged the latter to resist the former’s strategy of offloading housing demands onto neighboring districts, stating, “We hope Cherwell District Council opposes Oxford City Council’s tactic of not building enough homes in the city and then expecting neighboring councils to compensate.”
Another representative for a different political stance added their voice, asserting that the Kidlington Gap is disappearing to meet the city’s needs. They accused the city council of negligence, alleging a failure to address the pressing demands of both the city and its institutions.
As Kidlington undergoes this rapid urbanization, the delicate balance between preserving green spaces and meeting increasing housing demands poses a challenge for local authorities. The clash between those advocating for Kidlington Gap’s preservation and the imperative to provide housing for Oxford’s growing population underscores the complex challenges faced by decision-makers in shaping the future of these idyllic villages.
