Vistry Group, one of the UK’s leading housebuilders, has submitted an outline planning application to Cherwell District Council for up to 170 new homes, 51 of which will be designated mixed-tenure affordable housing.
The plans include significant areas of new landscaped public open spaces and wildlife habitats to deliver a biodiversity net gain for the site, which sits to the east of Warwick Road and north of Hanwell Fields in Banbury.
This follows detailed pre-application discussions with Cherwell District Council and key stakeholders and consultation with the local community. The scheme has been sensitively designed, extending the settlement edge of Banbury to meet local housing needs.
Read more: Keep Hanwell Village Rural Action Group responds to local planning application
The development would provide a significant boost to the local economy and deliver additional homes on a sustainable, well-located site with Banbury Railway Station just a short distance away – providing wider connections to Oxford, London and Birmingham.
The proposals incorporate large areas of public space, including a neighbourhood green and children’s play area, which would be supported by new footpaths to connect to the broader pedestrian network.
The site is currently bounded by mature hedgerows and established woodlands, which would be retained and enhanced through new planting. This landscape-led design approach would facilitate habitat creation and create a significant biodiversity net gain.
A spokesperson from Vistry Group said: “There is a growing need for high-quality homes all over the country, with the wider Cherwell district seeing a particular demand. This includes a significant need for affordable housing for local families and individuals.”
“To support this, it is important that plans for new homes are brought forward in sustainable locations, with a mix of tenures, to offer exciting opportunities for everyone.”
“We have continued to evolve our plans over a number of months following technical assessments, as well as stakeholder and community engagement. We feel our final proposals, if approved, will make a valuable contribution to local housing need.”
Vistry Group develops sustainable new homes and communities across all sectors of the UK housing market and was formed in January 2020 following the acquisition of Linden Homes and the Galliford Try Partnerships & Regeneration businesses by Bovis Homes Group PLC.
Vistry also runs an expanded Countryside Partnerships, working with local authorities, housing associations and investors to deliver affordable housing through Partner Delivery Programmes and Mixed Tenure offerings, and is the largest private sector provider of affordable housing.
