CONTROVERSIAL plans for 108 homes in Kingston Bagpuize should be approved despite clashing with council policies, a planning officer has said.

The Witney Road plan should be approved as controversial national planning reforms override local policies because housing targets are being missed, David Rothery said.

Vale of White Horse District Council’s planning committee will be asked to make a decision on the plan for 63 homes and 45 affordable “extra care” supported living units on Wednesday, January 9.

Eighty-one residents and Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor Parish Council objected to the St John’s College plan with concerns over traffic, visual impact and flooding.

The parish council said the approach to the village will “change from that of a rural village to a conurbation”.

The site is not supported in the council’s 2006 local plan for no more than 15 new units in the village.

But Mr Rothery said this is inconsistent with the Government’s 2012 National Planning Policy Framework as the council is missing national housing targets.

He said: “In the light of the current shortfall in the council’s five-year housing land supply, the site’s location adjoining an existing large village settlement with close availability of services and facilities should be afforded appropriate weight.”

Further permission will be needed on the scheme’s design and foul water infrastructure if approved.

Members will meet at Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon, at 6.30pm. The public can attend.