RESIDENTS have rallied again to oppose a housing development they say will harm Wallingford’s conservation area.

A planning inquiry was launched last week to decide if Wates Developments can build 85 homes off Reading Road, Winterbrook, near Wallingford Community Hospital.

In 2010, Save Winterbrook campaigners gathered to fight off developers who wanted to build hundreds of homes in the area, before Slade End Farm off Wantage Road was chosen instead as the town’s main site for new development.

Now Winterbrook residents are contesting the latest application for new homes in the area where crime writer Agatha Christie was a resident. She lived at Winterbrook House from 1934 until her death in 1976.

Town councillor Adrian Lloyd said: “If planning permission is granted it would be over-development and would have a severe impact on the conservation area.

“Wallingford does not need another estate like this. We should be allowed to develop the town in a careful and controlled manner. This application does not do anything for the town. If anything we need more shops rather than more housing.”

The application for the homes, neighbouring the conservation area, was referred to a planning inspector last year after South Oxfordshire District Council failed to reach a decision within eight weeks of a target date, and developers appealed.

The inquiry, at Howbery Park, Crowmarsh Gifford, was expected to finish yesterdayand the planning inspector will announce his ruling later this year.

Mr Lloyd added: “The proposal is contrary to the core strategy and Local Plan, which says that development in Wallingford should only take place on allocated sites.”

He said a new driveway at 2 Reading Road, completed by the developer after planning permission was granted in 2013, could become an entrance to the new estate.

Wallingford Town Council has objected to the plans.

Mayor Lynda Atkins said: “This site was specifically turned down for development in the core strategy – it was rejected in favour of the Slade End Farm site.”

Wates Developments spokesman Matthew Moth said: “We remain committed and positive regarding the proposal for 85 new homes on land to the west of Reading Road.

“We continue to believe the site is not only in a good location but also provides an excellent opportunity to bring forward high quality new homes, including affordable homes, at a time when there is an endemic need for homes across the South East.’’

Plans for 555 homes and a primary school at Slade End Farm, off Wantage Road, are currently being considered.