Council 'walks away' from warehouses decision

A council is "walking away from its duties" after choosing not to defend its decision to refuse permission for three giant warehouses, campaigners have said.

Cherwell District Council's planning committee voted against the development in January, which would have covered an area the size of 80 football pitches at Baynards Green, Oxfordshire.

The authority has now said it would not give evidence when the decision goes before the planning inspector in September, after taking "legal and professional advice."

Nick Barnes, of the nearby Stoke Lyne Parish Council, said residents expected the council "to stand behind the decisions."

According to local councillor Gareth Epps, it means the development is now likely to be given the go ahead, describing the situation as an "assault on local democracy".

Appeals can be brought by developers when applications are refused.

If a planning inspector finds that permission should have originally be given, local authorities can be asked to pay fees incurred by the inspectorate, the developer and its own professional and legal costs.

Last year, Cherwell District Council had spent its £100,000 planning appeals budget within the first four months of the financial year.

The BBC has been told a similar amount was estimated for planning appeals for 2026/27.

It is thought challenging a decision of the size of the Baynards Green development could cost between £500,000 and £1m, if the council lost the appeal.

The industrial sheds had been proposed for land close to junction 10 of the M40.

Described as "XXL size", the planning committee was told that they would be used for both national and regional logistics.

Following the refusal, representatives for developers Albion Land, said they were "very disappointed" at the decision and planned to appeal.

That appeal is due to be held in September, but Cherwell District Council said "following a detailed review of the case" and taking "legal and professional advice" it "does not intend to bring forward evidence to defend the reasons for refusal."

Developers had previously highlighted the "substantial jobs growth" and proposals to improve the Baynards Green junction, next to the proposed warehouses.

But local residents raised concerns about the increased traffic, the height of the buildings and impact on the countryside.

Nick Barnes, vice chairman of Stoke Lyne Parish Council said the council has "walked away from its duty to defend its own decisions, with no explanation".

"More than that, [residents] have a right to expect their council to stand behind the decisions it made on their behalf.

"Instead, they have been left to do the council's work for it - defending those refusals at inquiry, alone," he added.