In 2022, planning permission was granted to Crest Nicholson Operations following a successful appeal.

A consultation process is now taking place for locals to have their say on the plans.

Councillor Liam Mackenzie for Ducklington said in a statement: “I would encourage residents to read the plans and add any comments before June 16.

“I have additional concerns granting the same developers permission to build new houses, when they still haven’t completed parts of phase one of Colwell Green.”

West Oxfordshire District Council initially refused permission in March 2022 because the initial permission for the whole development, granted in 2017, included an area which would have an  employment use and was meant to include a hotel and office space.

The housing estate will have only one access point in Witney for cars at the end of Millet Way and another for pedestrians and cyclists at the end of Rye Crescent.

The plans consist of 23 three-bedroom houses, 19 four-bedroom houses, and three five-bedroom houses.

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The developer has also said that 19 houses would be ‘affordable rent’, eight houses would be for first-time buyers, and three would be for shared ownership.

The developer has also assured a new play park would be built at the south east side of the development.

Mr Mackenzie also raised concerns that there would only be space for 15 visitor parking spaces after construction of the houses is over.

The application seeks approval until Tuesday, May 17 of the design, layout, landscaping, scale and access arrangements for the residential scheme on land south-west of Downs Road.

The planning covers the finer details of how the development would be delivered, including the appearance of the homes, the road layout, public spaces and landscaping.

The plans are under consultation, with residents and stakeholders invited to comment before a decision is made by the council.

If approved, the development would add 75 homes to the area as part of ongoing housing growth on the western edge of Witney and Curbridge..

The application was received by the council and validated on Monday, May 18.

The development was originally refused by West Oxfordshire District Council’s planning committee in 2022.

However, the proposal was subsequently allowed on appeal in May 2023, enabling the scheme to proceed to the detailed design stage

Under the plans Crest Nicholson will add more homes to the 257 already permitted at Colwell Green, a site that used to be home to the now-defunct Witney Town Football Club and has two industrial units backing on to it.

He dropped in at The Seven Stars in Marsh Baldon and tucked into lamb kofta, a popular Mediterranean dish, followed by crispy duck salad.

The hostelry near Oxford is on the edge of one of the largest village greens in the country. It has been selected as the Oxford Mail Pub of the Week.

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Sir Ian’s international playing career lasted from 1977 to 1992, establishing him as one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders. He played a total of 102 test matches for England. The former England cricket captain joined the House of Lords in 2020.

The Seven Stars is a community-run pub, which is managed by Sunit Bansode and Namit Julka.

Sir Ian Botham with Sunit Bansode at The Seven Stars (Image: Sunit Bansode/The Seven Stars)

Mr Bansode said: “Sir Ian Botham is a friend of someone who is in the community group which runs the pub.

“We were delighted to welcome him last month – he came for lunch and enjoyed lamb kofta for a starter followed by crispy duck salad – then he met the chef.

“Sir Ian was very friendly and was happy for some photos to be taken.”

In 2013, families from Marsh Baldon and surrounding villages formed the Baldons and Nuneham Community Society (BNCS), enabling them to buy shares in the 350-year-old Seven Stars and own it themselves.

Roast dinners at The Seven Stars in Marsh Baldon (Image: The Seven Stars)

Staff at the pub are looking forward to a busy summer, and next month they will host their third annual beer festival in a row, running from July 17-19.

Mr Bansode added: “During the summer, guests can enjoy live music in the garden, and our annual beer festival weekend has become a highlight.

“Aunt Sally is being introduced this year, and our fortnightly Indian cuisine evenings – along with special Diwali and Holi menus – have been warmly received.

“Traditional English events remain central to our offering, with village community gatherings, weddings, wakes, baby showers, beer festivals, and quizzes all forming part of our calendar.

“These are complemented by public events on the green, such as the vintage car show and local cricket matches. Every occasion is meticulously planned alongside our six day dining service, under the close attention of both myself, Namit, and our dedicated team.

“Our Sunday roast deserves particular mention. Owing to the exceptional culinary skill of our chef, booking has become essential. This popularity is reflected in our five star TripAdvisor ratings and glowing Google reviews. We warmly invite readers to visit our website for details of upcoming events and further information.”

The Seven Stars in Marsh Baldon (Image: Oxford CAMRA)

Mr Bansode added: “The reputation of The Seven Stars is growing rapidly, and our ambition is not only to maintain our current standards but to elevate them to even greater heights.”

Real ale enthusiasts Oxford CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) have researched the pub’s history.

CAMRA said: “This old coaching inn was under threat for a while but reopened in March 2013 as a community-owned pub with the main bar refurbished and a new function room/restaurant.

“It sits next to the village green which is claimed to be the largest in Europe and has a big garden for the summer. There is only one bus a day to the village so unless you come by car you need to walk from Nuneham Courtenay.”

The Barn at The Seven Stars (Image: The Seven Stars at Marsh Baldon)

Sir Ian Botham made his Test match debut for England against Australia on July 28, 1977, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

In this third Ashes Test, the 21-year-old all-rounder made an immediate impact, taking five wickets for 74 runs in Australia’s first innings, including his first Test wicket, Australian legend Greg Chappell. He also scored 25 runs as England went on to win the match by seven wickets