We have engaged closely with key local stakeholders including Chipping Norton Town Council and Chipping Norton Cricket Club, as we have developed our plans. We plan on continuing to engage locally throughout the remaining stages of the planning application process. We are now seeking feedback from the wider community. You can find out more on how you can share your views below.

The site is visually enclosed by hedgerows, which contain tree belts and occasional trees, providing effective filtering, and screening when layered in this flat landscape. Due to the nature of tree cover aligning Banbury Road, intervisibility between the site and the National Landscape north of Banbury Road is extremely limited comprising filtered views during winter months when tree cover is not in leaf.

No part of the site is covered by any statutory designation of international or national significance. The plans will ensure that the development is mainly contained within the areas of arable land of negligible ecological value. Active badger setts, hedgerows and woodland edges which comprise the most important ecological features on the site will retained and buffered. Biodiversity enhancements and green corridors will also provide benefits for nature.

The entire site is in Flood Zone 1, which has the lowest flood risk and where all types of development are considered suitable. The site also does not suffer from surface water or ground water flooding. The plans will ensure that no downstream areas have an increased risk of flooding as a result of this development.

We are aware of the potable water supply and foul water capacity issues in the locality. Improvements will be required before new homes can be occupied and there is a statutory process under the Water Industry Act 1991 which Thames Water are responsible for. This includes a requirement for a water company to develop and maintain the system of water supply such that it can make such supplies available to persons demanding them, as well as a requirement to provide, improve and extend a system of public sewers to ensure an area is effectually drained.

A ‘Grampian’ planning condition could be imposed on any planning permission to prevent occupation until homes are appropriately served by Thames Water. This has occurred on the recent nearby Bloor Homes and Cala developments.

We understand that there is currently enough capacity within existing local primary and secondary schools to support new development in Chipping Norton. A combination of factors including aging population, declining birth rates and the envisaged growth set out in the current Local Plan not coming forwards, have all had impacts on local school capacity. 

We are modelling the traffic movements on the local highway network to assess the impact of our proposals, and a full Transport Assessment will form part of the planning application submission.

We are also prioritising sustainable modes of transport within our outline plans, including new and enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes and the potential for a local mobility hub which could integrate transport options such as public transport, car and bike sharing.

If approved, this development would provide financial contributions through Section 106 funding. Section 106 funds can go towards a wide range of local community infrastructure.