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VILLAGERS have described as "frightening" plans which could double the size of their community.

Developers Bloor Homes and Hallam Land Management have announced plans to build 420 homes on land off Benson Lane at Crowmarsh Gifford.

Another scheme on the table is a development for a potential 200 houses.

The village is populated by 1,000 people, but the larger development could bring the population up to 2,000.

Residents have attacked the scheme and argued there are not enough facilities for the extra influx of people.

Dr Nick Robins, of Benson Lane, said: "The prospect of well over 1,000 new residents vying for the sparse facilities of Crowmarsh Gifford and the nearby town of Wallingford is daunting.

"An additional 800 cars per day up and down Benson Lane and The Street is nothing short of frightening.

"The field cited for development is grade two agricultural land adjacent to an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is a triangular site that will rudely intrude into the countryside.

"There are far more suitable sites in south Oxfordshire than this one."

The developer has promised to build new playing fields and make transport improvements in their plans.

But Peter Agar, 83, of nearby The Street, said: "It is a crazy idea. There is a school within close distance, but the school is almost full already, so where do you put another 200 children?

"It may not actually be in an area of outstanding beauty, but it is close to it, it certainly should not be built."

Neighbour Debbie Carrington, 34, lives in a house which would overlook the development.

She said: "I very much like the view from my house and if they developed the land, I would not be very happy about it. I am concerned about everything about this."

Henley MP John Howell said: "In my view this scale of development is not appropriate for a village.

"It will put serious pressure on local services and infrastructure, and the locals are quite right to be concerned and upset by it."

Bloor Homes spokesman Paul Doyle insisted the scheme offered opportunities for the area and would help provide much-needed affordable homes.

He said: "The proposals present an opportunity to deliver new recreational facilities and a link road to take away existing traffic for the neighbouring employment areas on Benson Lane from the centre of Crowmarsh Gifford.

"It can also deliver much-needed affordable housing and is something which, we believe, will complement the village and the adjoining town of Wallingford."

The developers refused to confirm when they would submit the plans, but district council spokesman Victoria Bucket-Hipgrave said that an application was expected next month.

Nigel Hannigan, chairman of the parish council's planning committee, said that if an application was submitted, a public meeting would be held.

He said: "We favour brownfield sites and infilling, and the infrastructure of the village wouldn't be able to support a major development.

"We are losing our post office and the school is running at capacity."

12:00pm Wednesday 9th July 2008

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