Wallingford residents voice objections to 400 new homes plan

The submission from Croudace Homes proposes a huge development on Shillingford Road, Wallingford, which one resident described as "incomprehensible". 

About half the objectors left written comments on South Oxfordshire District Council’s planning portal, citing a range of reasons from the impact on wildlife to the lack of infrastructure to support the new residents.

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Mrs Cindy Zudys of Sinodun Road, wrote: “People often object to planning applications but this is the only one I know that has brought people to tears.

“I think it’s unlikely that anyone living any distance from this area, known locally as the Severalls Farm fields, could appreciate its value.”

The plans also include two sports pitches, a clubhouse, and a range of access points to Wallingford town centre which is a 15-minute walk from the development.

It also stipulates that 40 per cent of the new builds will be affordable homes.

Site plan of the new development on Shillingford Road (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council) A key reason for objections was an increase in traffic from homes scheme on already congested roads, worsened by the lack of public transport connecting the area to town.

Diana Chandler of Wilding Road said: “The roads are not built to cope with these many vehicles and the effect on the streets of Wallingford does not bear thinking about.”

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Another concern by people who objected is the lack of infrastructure in the town, with insufficient schools, dentists and doctor’s surgeries.

Simon Newton of Wildling Road said: “While I understand the need for more housing, Wallingford cannot accommodate another significant development without a corresponding investment in essential services.”

The plan to develop the arable agricultural site also raised fears about the impact on the environment, damaging wildlife habitats, causing flooding, air and noise pollution.

Simon Allnutt, of Norries Drive, said: “Nature also suffers from this development, but it cannot speak for itself; we can though, and we should be protecting the beautiful environment which we live in.”

Another resident, listed as Christy of Bradburn Close, said: “We want to raise our children in nature, not a concrete and brick jungle.”

Pete Harris, of Borough Avenue, said: “There is more than enough development already going on in Wallingford - this needs to end now, before the spirit of the town is lost forever.”

CGI of the new housing development in Wallingford (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council) The application’s planning statement argued that the development is necessary due to a shortfall in housing numbers.

It said the site “would assist in addressing SODC’s measured shortfall in housing land supply, the acute need for affordable housing, and the need for specialist accommodation for older people.”

It said benefits of the proposal include “community allotments, on-and-off-site footway and cycleway improvements, significant landscaping and new public open space, biodiversity net gain, and ecological improvements.”

Residents can leave their comments on the district council’s planning portal until December 13.

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