Wantage: Fears raised over latest phase of 1,500-home plans

The latest vision for Crab Hill in the northeast of the town has been submitted by Vistry Homes Limited to the Vale of White Horse District Council.

The plans are for 116 homes, but people have concerns over parking, with one objector describing it as "appalling".

Outline planning application has already been granted for 669 homes at the Crab Hill site but details around design for different phases of the development are in the process of being approved.

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Plan CGI (Image: Vale of White Horse District Council) The plans are part of the 1,500 home Kingsgrove development which was approved in 2015.

By Friday, October 18, just two objections had been submitted. 

One objector Brenda Law, who lives in Rae Crescent, said: “The lack of parking is appalling. It is unacceptable to have zero or one space available to apartments and houses.

"These dwellings need two working adults to afford and most families with two working adults have two cars. Where are they going to park their extra cars?

"This is going to block up our residential road and cars parking on the road also make our pavement impossible to walk. This is dangerous to the pedestrians and unpleasant. 

“Why is construction traffic going through Elder Way? 

The land earmarked for Crab Hill from above (Image: Google Maps) “It's counterintuitive and disrespectful to the residents who have been here for nearly three years and finally starting to enjoy some tranquillity and safety on that road.

"Have you seen the number of children on Elder Way in the morning and in the afternoon? Send construction traffic through the by pass not our neighbourhood.”

James Hodgson, of Wilkins Way, said: “Overall, the lack of garages is somewhat disappointing as is the general lack of parking with all of the apartments only having one designated space each.”

Wantage Town Council also submitted an objection. 

In the application's planning statement, it said: “The application does not propose areas of public open space, as these will be located elsewhere within the wider development in accordance with the approved land use and landscape parameter plans.

"Each dwelling has adequately sized private amenity space. 

“The majority of the development will be two storeys high. 

“This reserved matters submission addresses the key provisions of the outline permission and responds positively and appropriately to the policy framework applying to the site.

“This has resulted in a high-quality scheme that, in accordance with advice within the national planning policy framework, should be approved without delay. 

“The masterplan provides a good mix of accommodation including 39 per cent affordable housing.”