I was pleased to hear that the Planning Committee at Cherwell District Council voted unanimously last Thursday to reject proposals by Euro Garages to develop a petrol station, offices and warehousing on the site known as Banbury 15 in the Local Plan, on land between the M40 and A361 near J11.

A number of residents in Chacombe, Middleton Cheney, Overthorpe and other communities had been in touch with me in recent months to highlight their dissatisfaction with the proposed development, and I had represented these views to the Council and the developer at every opportunity.

Whilst there is the possibility of an appeal against the decision, my understanding is that, as the proposal fell outside the designated land use set out in the Local Plan, this would most likely not be accepted for consideration.

Of course, I would take the opportunity to remind everyone concerned that the land has been earmarked for development in the future through the planning process, and there will inevitably be other proposals that come forward in due course.