Land Behind the Moors… another Green Belt success

A planning application for 340 new homes on land known as “Land behind the Moors”, to the north of Kidlington and adjacent to St Mary’s Church, was considered by Cherwell District Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday 15 January.

CPRE Oxfordshire has strongly opposed development on this site for several years. It was first proposed in a draft Local Plan but was later withdrawn because of its clear unsuitability. The land lies within the Oxford Green Belt, is open countryside, and comprises Best and Most Versatile agricultural land. It is crossed by several well-used public footpaths and sits alongside St Mary’s Church, a designated heritage asset.

The planning officer recommended approval of the application on the grounds that the site met the definition of “Grey Belt” land, an idea that was met with concern and surprise: how could a site with such clear environmental, agricultural and heritage value could be categorised in this way? As one councillor remarked during the committee debate, “are you colourblind?”

CPRE Oxfordshire has supported the local campaign group Land Behind the Moors, Kidlington Development Watch, and Kidlington Parish Council in their opposition to this proposal and we were therefore delighted that the Planning Committee rejected the application almost unanimously.

This is the second recent success for countryside protection against inappropriate proposals on green/grey belt land in Oxfordshire. In December 2025, a Planning Inspector dismissed plans for a major science and technology park at Waterstock and confirmed that the site is genuinely Green Belt, not “Grey Belt”—a decision welcomed as a “victory for common sense” and which safeguards over 100 acres of irreplaceable countryside and heritage assets.

While we anticipate that the developer may submit an appeal, this decision represents another important victory for the countryside. For now, it is a result worth celebrating.