Plans for up to 100 homes on land between Watlington and Pyrton have been recommended for approval, despite not complying with council policies.

South Oxfordshire District Council’s planning committee will consider plans put forward by Providence Land for the homes on 13.9 hectares of farmland off Pyrton Lane at its February 2 meeting.

It includes 2.2 hectares for the possible expansion of Icknield Community College.

Officers’ report to the meeting states: “The proposal does not accord with the housing policies and conflicts with a Neighbourhood Plan ‘local gap’ policy. However, in this case, there are material considerations that indicate that the application should be determined otherwise than in accordance with the development plan.”

It states the scheme will play a significant role in delivering Watlington Edge Road, a key piece of infrastructure that will support growth locally and relieve congestion in the town centre.

The report concludes: “When considered against the development plan as a whole, the proposal represents a sustainable form of development and there are valid reasons to grant outline planning permission.”

The planning application was initially submitted in 2016 but was considered by officers to be premature with regard to the Local Plan 2035 and the progress made on other sites.

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