FUTURE plans for housing in Banbury could drop by almost a third after Government targets were scrapped.

The move comes after Local Government and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles effectively tore up the South East Plan, which set housing targets for local authorities, and passed decision making back to councils.

Cherwell District Council has approved a motion to reduce the number of houses expected to be built in the district by 2026, from 13,400 to 11,800.

According to Cherwell’s Local Plan, Banbury had been due to take a total of 3,071 homes, but now that figure could drop by at least 800 to 2,271.

Rural areas are also likely to see a reduction in new homes, while Bicester will take the lion’s share of Cherwell’s 11,800 target with 3,000 new homes built at an eco settlement up to 2026.

Villages including Adderbury, Bodicote, Bloxham, Deddington, Cropredy, Hook Norton, Sibford Gower/Ferris, Fritwell, Finmere, Fringford, Milcombe and Wroxton are likely to see less development.

Councillors hope to retain the proposed Canalside redevelopment of 1,200 homes.