Site Location and Context

The 7.54 ha site is located north of Broughton Road and west of land owned by Lone Star, which is proposed for residential development, positioning the site at Milestone Farm as a logical extension to the settlement edge of Banbury. To the north, there is a draft site allocation for residential use, while the land to the west remains in agricultural use.

Milestone Farm is in a sustainable location with key routes providing excellent accessibility. Bus stops are within walking distance, offering direct links to Banbury town centre and surrounding areas. The site is bounded to the south by Broughton Road, which provides access east to the town centre and links towards other regional destinations. To the south, Broughton Road (B4035) facilitates westward travel towards Broughton and other nearby villages.

The adopted Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 directs development towards Banbury, with Policy BSC1 setting out the housing distribution and Policy BSC2 promoting efficient land use through higher-density development in sustainable locations. Policy ESD15 requires high-quality design that integrates with the existing built and natural environment. While the site is not currently allocated, its proximity to existing development aligns with the plan’s strategic approach to sustainable growth.

The site at Milestone Farm is greenfield land and is located outside of, but would form part of an extension to the built-up area of Banbury. Banbury is one of the largest settlements in the Cherwell District, identified as a key focus for growth. While the site is not currently allocated for development, the emerging Cherwell Local Plan Review 2040 identifies Banbury as a key location for future housing growth, reflecting its strategic role in meeting the district’s housing needs. The council’s latest Annual Monitoring Report (2024) identifies a significant shortfall in the five-year housing land supply, currently at 2.3 years—well below the NPPF requirement. This underscores the need for additional housing sites to meet local needs.