Plans for a new GP surgery at 3,300-home Great Western Park have been delayed for about 10 years but now Woodlands Medical Centre has appointed London-based Apsley Henley Med Ltd as the new developer for the project and the scheme is finally moving forward.
After plans for 800 new homes elsewhere in the town were announced, for two different developments, Didcot South county councillor Hao Du warned it was crucial for services for residents to be completed in good time, including schools and GP surgeries.
Didcot South county councillor Hao Du (Image: Contributed)
He said: “The new GP surgery at Great Western Park is meant to cater for homes on the estate but there are new homes being built all the time in Didcot and the health service is at full-stretch – we need more GP surgeries.
“I recently tried to get an appointment at Didcot Health Centre – the phone line opens at 8.30am and by 8.35am all the appointments were gone.”
Nurton Developments is planning a 400-home neighbourhood on land off New Road, between Didcot and East Hagbourne.
The Midlands-based housing developer said it would also create areas of public open space, improved walking and cycling connections to maintain a “clear sense of separation between the two communities”.
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More than 60 per cent of the planned scheme will remain as accessible open space for recreation and nature habitats, the company has claimed.
Didcot West county councillor Ian Snowdon said the development site was “the precious green gap separating Didcot from East Hagbourne”.
He added: “If we lose it, we risk losing the village’s distinct identity forever. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
“Enough is enough. Residents are fed up with more and more housing being proposed while the roads, healthcare facilities and other vital infrastructure promised years ago still haven’t arrived.”
Peter Leaver, planning director at Nurton Developments, said: “Our proposals have been shaped by balancing the need for new homes and recognising the importance of the land between Didcot and East Hagbourne.
“They seek to maintain a clear sense of separation between the two communities by retaining substantial areas of open space, improving access to local green space and helping to deliver the homes that the next generation of residents of South Oxfordshire?needs.
“We understand that this place matters to the local community and so are holding a three-week public consultation to give residents, councillors and local organisations the opportunity to find out more about our plans and share their feedback.
“We look forward to engaging constructively with the community and hearing ideas and feedback that can help shape the final proposals.”
Nurton Developments said that the emerging proposals will “deliver the necessary infrastructure that supports new and existing residents, as well as new community facilities” such as play spaces for children, allotments and orchards.
Of the 400 homes proposed, 40 per cent would be delivered as affordable homes.
Houses at Valley Park in Didcot (Image: Contributed)
In a separate scheme, more than 4,200 new homes at the Valley Park development were given outline planning permission in 2022, and planning approval has now been given for Persimmon Homes Wessex to start construction on 306 units, with a further 91 under the banner of its sister company, Charles Church.
Persimmon is delivering half of the 4,254 homes coming to Valley Park, off the A4130, which will also be home to two primary schools, a special educational needs school, local centres, and sports facilities.
One primary school is expected to open ready for next year’s first cohort of local children while, earlier this year, the district council also marked the latest handover of affordable housing.
Persimmon Homes and Charles Church Wessex Managing Director Seb Spiller said: “We are very proud of our work at Valley Park, delivering high-quality homes for local people alongside significant infrastructure, and are pleased to have secured consent for the plans for our latest phase.”
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