WORK has finally started on a controversial plan for more than 1,000 homes in south Banbury.
Developers have begun infrastructure work on Longford Park, also known as Bankside, accessed off Oxford Road.
It was approved by Cherwell District Council in 2009 despite concern that it will further erode the “green gap” between villages and the town.
The firm which won permission then had to find housing developers for the site and finalise planning agreements.
Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Homes and Bovis Homes are now working on drainage and other infrastructure for the 1,092 homes.
The site will also include a primary school, community facilities, shops, businesses and park with the first 50 homes available by 2015. The entire site will be completed by 2023 or 2024.
Bodicote Parish Council has consistently opposed the development and chairman Ron Glynn said: “We are very concerned about the village being swallowed up.”
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