Hundreds of new homes could be built on the outskirts of an Oxfordshire town if plans are approved. 

Major plans have been submitted for 400 homes and 80 age-restricted homes for elderly people at Shillingford Road, Wallingford. 

Developer Croudace Homes also wants to build two sports pitches, a clubhouse and a range of access points to the development itself and into Wallingford town centre. 

The site is just a 15-minute walk away from the town centre. 

With the scheme being submitted just last week, only one member of the public has commented on the South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) planning portal so far. 

READ MORE: Scales of Justice results from Oxford Magistrates' Court

Site plan of 400-home development near Wallingford (Image: South Oxfordshire District Council) An objector listed as Kezia, of Rothwells Close, Cholsey, said: “I do not approve of more housing around Wallingford.

"The draw of this area is the countryside of which we are losing to lots of unnecessary housing, much of which is built without considerations for local infrastructure and the properties themselves are not built to last, thrown up with cheap materials.

"No more new housing. More focus on local infrastructure.”

The scheme includes 40 per cent affordable homes. 

The application's planning statement argued that the development is needed due to a shortfall in housing numbers. 

It said: “The site is bound by the rear gardens of residential development to the south, Shillingford Road to the east with mature trees and hedgerows on both sides of the road, a mature tree belt to the north, and an informal footpath to the west, with an arable field and residential development fronting onto the Wantage Road beyond, providing the site with a degree of enclosure.

“Wallingford Town Centre is approximately a 15-minute walk from the site, a seven-minute cycle, or a five-minute drive.

"Pedestrian and cycle access will be provided to Shillingford Road, alongside off-site improvements to the existing network between the site and Wallingford town centre.”

It added: “The proposal could deliver up to 400 high quality new homes and up to 80 units of age-restricted older persons' accommodation, of which 40 per cent would be affordable, which would assist in addressing SODC’s measured shortfall in housing land supply, the acute need for affordable housing, and the need for specialist accommodation for older people. 

“The scheme would also deliver new two sports pitches with associated clubhouse, community allotments, on-and-off-site footway and cycleway improvements, significant landscaping and new public open space, biodiversity net gain, and ecological improvements.”

The application is open for public comments on the district council's planning portal until December 13. 

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber you will get:      

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website   
  • Advert-light access       
  • Reader rewards       
  • Full access to our app

About the author  

Toby is a senior reporter who has a particular interest in covering planning and local government. 

He joined in September 2024 having been a reporter at the Hampshire Chronicle for three years. 

Toby studied at the University of Brighton and can be found on X through the handle @JournoToby