COUNCIL chiefs have backed using Slade End Farm in Wallingford for 400 homes, despite being given a choice of two other sites by the new Government.

South Oxfordshire District Council is backing the site, between Wantage Road and Bosley Way, over those at Winterbrook and Wilding Road.

The council first backed Slade End Farm in May as it said it was best suited to meet a Labour housing target of 750 homes.

However, the new Government let the council decide the number of homes, which it cut to 400.

This meant it could have chosen the smaller Winterbrook and Wilding Road sites, but this week it confirmed it was still backing Slade End Farm.

Angie Paterson, council cabinet member for planning, said: “The next few weeks will see some important decisions made in moving this strategy forward and laying the foundations for a successful future for South Oxfordshire.”

Lynda Atkins, independent member for Wallingford on Oxfordshire County Council, said: “The numbers do make the difference to which site makes sense.”

Steve Teboe, 50, of Wantage Road, who is against the Slade End Farm plan, said: “For all the consultations the council has done, it just has not listened to the people of Wallingford.”

It would need council approval this month and would be consulted on in December.