Plan for 81 new homes in Bishops Itchington rejected

Developer Persimmon Homes wanted to build the 4.6 hectare new estate on land off Gaydon Road, stating that the development would “meet a clearly identified need in the district, sustainable development, a significant proportion of affortable housing, high quality new public open space and associated contributions to local facilities and transport”.

But councillors on Stratford District Council’s planning committee had been advised by council officers to refuse to give their consent to the development - and at a meeting on Wednesday, they voted against it.

The council had received objections to Persimmon’s proposal from Bishops Itchington and Harbury parish councils, two councillors and 18 residents.

The main reasons for opposing the development were that it was considered that it would be isolated from Bishops Itchington village and would have poor pedestrian access to the village. It was also thought that the new estate would create pressure on village services and infrastructure.