<\/p>\n
\n The proposed sites, between Banbury and Bicester near the M40, could see up to 570,000 square metres of logistics space built across land between the A43 and M40 Junction 10.\n<\/p>\n
\n The open letter from the Stoke Lyne Action Team, signed by 429 residents from Stoke Lyne and nearby villages, calls on the council to defend its decision at a public inquiry that began on September 22.\n<\/p>\n
\n The letter says: “We are asking you to speak against the warehouses and stand by the reasons for refusal laid out by the planning committee in January 2026.\n<\/p>\n
\n A map of the proposed developments (Image: Cherwell District Council)\n<\/p>\n
\n “Then, in May, the Council leadership walked away from defending your refusal.\n<\/p>\n
\n “No transparency for us, total surrender to the developers.\n<\/p>\n
\n “The residents of Stoke Lyne and the surrounding villages will have to defend our countryside at the inquiry alone.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Stand with us.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Now, your refusal is on trial.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Turn your back as well, and the developers will tell the Inspector that even the decisionmakers have given up.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Our protest will be belittled and cast aside.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Or, stand with us and show that the January decision was made on substantive planning merits and should be upheld.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Three appeals have been brought by developers Tritax Symmetry Ardley and Albion Land.\n<\/p>\n
\n Their applications include office space, an energy centre, HGV parking, internal roads, and other infrastructure.\n<\/p>\n
\n Some buildings could reach 23 metres in height, with total floor space equivalent to about 80 football pitches.\n<\/p>\n
\n The developers estimate the site could generate around 5,400 permanent jobs.\n<\/p>\n
\n A CGI of some of the warehouses (Image: Cherwell District Council)\n<\/p>\n
\n Nick Barnes, chairman of Stoke Lyne Parish Council, said earlier this year: “Securing jobs in an isolated area five miles from Bicester is no justification, especially as the low-wage and low-skilled and do not align with the high skilled jobs plan Oxford-Cambridge arc.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Securing a few junction improvements and a cycle lane that hardly anyone will use is no justification.\n<\/p>\n
\n “This will generate thousands of new car journeys.\n<\/p>\n
\n “A bit of landscaping that will take at least 15 years to mature is not going to hide these massive structures.\n<\/p>\n
\n “These are flawed applications, wrong jobs in the wrong locations.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Cherwell District Council refused the applications on January 21, 2026, but later announced it would not defend the decision at appeal.\n<\/p>\n
\n A council spokesperson said: “After taking independent professional planning advice, the council concluded there was insufficient evidence to robustly defend the reasons for refusal at appeal and that doing so carried a significant risk of costs being awarded against the council and local taxpayers.”\n<\/p>\n
\n The inquiry is expected to conclude on October 29, with hearings held in Banbury and Bicester.\n<\/p>\n
#Hundreds #villagers #urge #council #defend #M40 #warehouse #refusal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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